A downtown bar has poured, shaken and strained its way to a list of the top 100 bars in the South.
Southern Living Magazine ranked 2nd Street Speakeasy, located at 21 SW Second St., in its list released earlier this year.
T.J. Palmieri, general manager of the bar, said the bar was contacted via Facebook earlier this January by the list’s author, who asked for a cocktail recipe.
He said the business was honored to be contacted in a small city like Gainesville by such a large magazine.
“It’s obviously great to be recognized,” Palmieri, 33, said. “A lot of people have told us what we can and can’t do in a small town.”
The bar is kept dark to give off a chill, laid-back atmosphere, he said. On nights that are less busy, bartenders make drinks in front of the customers. The bar also features a “revolving menu,” Palmieri said.
“If you come in and the menu really isn’t your thing, we then go into a dialogue,” he said. “We try to make something up for you on the spot.”
Michelle Pando, a UF health science junior, celebrated her 21st birthday by visiting the bar last week. She said she enjoyed the intimacy of the setting.
“It was very calm but enjoyable,” Pando said. “Small, but very nice.”
She said she also enjoyed her drink — the 2nd Street 75, made up of Amsterdam gin, lemon, strawberries, rhubarb bitters and sparkling white wine.
The bar will also be participating in the magazine’s region-wide Happy Hour on Friday, offering a discount on the drink featured in the top 100 list — the Spaghetti Western, made of High West Double Rye, Fernet Branca, sherry, local honey and bitters.
Palmieri said he’s excited the bar has gained traction.
“It was really nice to be validated for myself and for the staff,” Palmieri said.
[A version of this story ran on page 9 on 2/4/2014 under the headline "Downtown bar ranked among top 100 by Southern Living Magazine"]
