Black Antler Book Club - Redlands

On the plus side, the entrance, ambiance, and size of the room were all impressive, and the drinks were well-balanced. I went off-menu, and Evan was accommodating with my requests, which I appreciated. However, there were some downsides. The lack of an enforced dress code made the venue feel a bit less upscale than it ought to be. Additionally, Evan's quirky personality didn't quite fit the sophisticated vibe I expected from a speakeasy. I was particularly disappointed to see Evan using the "shake and dump" technique. Where was the attention to detail? I missed the Hawthorne strainer, double straining onto fresh ice, and the chilled glasses. It's these little details that can elevate the experience. I know it can be done better. Having had incredible experiences at other speakeasies, I feel it just takes a bit more effort to perfect this place. A little more pride in the craft would go a long way in making this establishment truly great. The Inland Empire could really use it!

I had an amazing experience! The drinks were excellent, and the ambiance was wonderful! Be sure to book a reservation ahead of time!

The food and drinks were quite good, but our experience was marred by a few issues. Our bartender was constantly singing and shouting Christmas song lyrics, which felt a bit off, almost as if he were intoxicated. He also failed to inform us that some items were unavailable, such as the graham crackers and date jam that were supposed to accompany the $15 Christmas cocktail we ordered. Additionally, the venue is extremely small; we found ourselves having to shuffle our chairs and make room for every new guest that entered, which became very annoying and inconvenient, especially given the high prices we were paying for the atmosphere. Overall, we were disappointed and won’t be returning for such a frustrating and costly experience.

It is the best place for something low-key with incredible drinks and food.

We always have a great experience at their private room next to the restaurant. Food and drinks made by Hilary are exceptional!! We’ll definitely be back for more good times and good eats with drinks.