An absolutely bafflingly disappointing experience, especially since its cheaper and more accessible sister bar the Rabbit Hole – which is a ‘normal’ bar right next door – is an overall considerably better night out.
Really this is only salvageable if you are a dogged aficionado on the hunt for some specialty cocktails to fill the void in your life better spent on a more productive (or cheaper) hobby. If you’re an absolute fiend for funky cocktails with unique ingredients and combinations, this will probably scratch that itch for you. For the rest of us, this is a place for some nice but very very very expensive cocktails served in a what seems like a dressed-up church hall basement.
You’re far better off going to the lower level of the associated ‘Rabbit Hole’, which is ironically more tastefully decorated, cheaper, and provides better ambience than the Jakalope’s premium ‘speakeasy’ experience here.
Near half the walls were covered with plain dark curtains, and the seating was nowhere near premium or cozy enough to endear me to the space. The lighting was considerably less inspired than the Rabbit Hole proper’s lower level – particularly when you’re staring at the IKEA light-strip glued to the bare heating duct. I honestly felt like I was in some kind of overflow room from the main space as opposed to somewhere special.
For 23-27 dollars per ‘seasonal’ cocktail, I expect a relatively premium experience, and this was certainly not it. For quick math – we had two cocktails each, for four total which came to just over 100 dollars including tip.
The staff were all friendly and accommodating enough and the service was unremarkably prompt, but nothing to write home about. This is not how I should be describing the experience after paying 100$ for four drinks.
