Volstead Bar

Coolest hidden secret EVER! If you want craft drinks mixed to perfection, with a speakeasy feel, this is the place for you!Lots of knowledge about mixology and customized drinks are their forte!This is small and quaint. Not a place to go slam drinks, but a place to savor a GOOD drink!

There's a special place in my heart for this bar! This place alone will keep me coming back to Sandusky! The look and feel of the bar takes you back in time to a speakeasy. The menus can be purchased and had a great variety of cocktails to try. They also had a great history lesson of the bar in the menu. Our bartender was awesome and very knowledgeable! The New Orleans fizz and lady liberty were my favorite drinks. So yummy and unique. If your in the city, go here, sober haha. No bombs allowed and rules shall be followed.

Volstead is a tiny little bar that sits very inconspicuously in a nondescript small building. About the only outward sign that there is even a bar there is a very small (about 8 inches), green neon sign above the door that simply says "bar." Once you go inside the first thing you'll encounter is a heavy curtain that blocks any light from escaping through the door as well as any view from the outside. It's pretty secret and is meant to be reminiscent of an old time speak easy, which is exactly the vibe you get once inside from the music they play, to the very dim lighting, to the bartender's garb. There are only about six seats up at the bar itself and then maybe three or four small tables when you walk in.The first thing your attention will be drawn to by the bartender when you walk in is their extensive bound drink menu which is prefaced by their house rules. These include things like "No cell phone conversations," "Do not order anything with the word 'bomb.' You will be politely asked to leave," "No name dropping, talking politics or religion," and things like that. They have many specialty cocktails that take time to prepare but are well worth the wait.Bottom line: If you are looking for a small, secluded, intimate really cool place to enjoy some hand crafted cocktails, this is the perfect spot.

Ambiance: Very small place that is pretty much as big as a foyer to a hallway but nicely decorated with a touch of class reminiscent of the era (1920-1930s). There are maybe 3-4 tables and a few seats at the bar with a total capacity of 20-24? I forsee waits if this place really takes off. The tunes in the background were very digable with the brass and jazz elements that were starting to really come into their own at the time, the volume was also unobtrusive so you don't have to yell like at clubs/bars. I really enjoyed the bartender who was very friendly, knowledgeable and thematically-dressed.Drinks: Drinks in the menu are divided up by the key liquor in each and I have to admit everything looked well-crafted and sounded delicious. I had one of the gin beverages that started with Bombay but it was fantastic with a grapefruit base, not too hard on the alcohol, slice of orange and a cherry - very refreshing. My friend raved about their "mules" which is either vodka, gin, or other liqour mixed with gingerbeer and lime served in a beautiful copper cup. Sadly, I was too caught up enjoying my own drink to try hers.I don't know what more you could ask for in a bar though with the relaxed atmosphere, fun music and a knowledgeable bartender. I definitely plan on coming back and exploring the menu. Prices aren't bad with most cocktails averaging $10-12. The place can be difficult to find as they have no signs but clearly that is part of being a speakeasy. They're near the corner of Hancock and Water street with a window that has decals saying "door" and "mediaworks". I've included a picture someone else posted on their fb page to help guide you guys, check the place out!

Absolutely fantastic. Had lovely absinthe served with the drip and a well crafted Ramos gin fizz (aka New Orleans fizz). Small, intimate and cozy. Exposed brick walls and heavy gray curtains complete the speak easy feel. Well crafted Sazaracks - when poorly crafted they taste like cough syrup. This was well balanced and delish. The caipirinha was expertly mixed as well. About four craft beers on tap.

I was in the Sandusky area for a conference and the driver of the town car they sent to get me to the hotel mentioned a speakeasy. A friend and I had a plan of finding a local craft brewery, but when we found it was closed we drove down Water Street. We noticed the little green bar sign over the door and the five green lights and realized we had found the speakeasy.The building sits alone at 316 E Water. Were it not for the small neon letters and the five green lights, it would be impossible to know it was bar. The driver mentioned as long as there is enough green lights for your party you can go in. Talking to the bartender later, it is about everyone sitting down. No standing room. To get in, you go through the door and then pull back a curtain.The menu has a wide variety of craft cocktails, and the pricing is actually quite economical for crafted cocktails. If you are not as fond about the drinks on the menu, the bartender can craft something else. They also have absinthe on the menu. We were the only people in the bar, so spent a bit of time hearing about the history of the place from the bartender. As one who loves unique experiences, this is over the top. Not what I would normally think of as a speakeasy, but very relaxing, with a lot of history (used to be a brothel). This, like Mekong, is on my list of places to visit again when I am in Sandusky.

A must visit if living in the region or visiting! Incredibly eclectic tasty unique drinks for Every taste bud. Can't wait to come back! And Peyton is an incredibly bartender and manager. She made the experience awesome also. Love the "rules" and small yet unique speakeasy atmosphere.

Top notch speakeasy in an unexpected place. Sandusky has not been well known for its cocktail scene and Volstead completely turns the entire city around. Sitting right on the water, this tiny bar is perfect for having a conversation as it is not overwhelmed with large, loud groups, a band or even a sound system.If you find yourself in Sandusky, Volstead is worth discovering.

This place, is the best ever! Seriously. I've been to a couple speak easy's and they are awesome but this one takes the cake, no frills, just great cocktails, amd great service! The place is truly a hidden gem! Seriously. I loved the concealed concept. It's in a building with a green neon sign, "bar", is all you see over the door jam. As you stand there you question is this really it. Cause you can't see in, as you open the front door, the drapes are so heavily you realize why it looks like there is nothing inside, these drapes conceal the inside. I can't say enough about the entrance. The cocktails and the bartender were fantastic. I would definitely go back just to walk in. Small place set up like an old bar, during prohibition in a small town. The bathrooms were clean as well. I'm sorry that's a must for me no pandemic or not, your open have a clean bathroom. There place was top notch. Oh and the city of Sandusky has this "Dora" plan, don't know the acronym for it, but it gives you a free pass to walk with a drink in public, because everyone is still feeling the effects from the pandemic. So khool, so we took a Bloody Mary to go. So khool.

Set in a former brothel on a quiet, unassuming street, this "speakeasy" has an extensive and creative drink menu. We arrived late on a Saturday afternoon right before the place filled up. I ordered a Singapore Sling and a Cucumber Caipirinha and I loved both! The bar area is quite small and when it fills up (they don't allow standing room at the bar) they illuminate a red light in the window of the bar - so if you see that beacon turn around!