The Blind Rabbit: In true speakeasy fashion, you have to seek it out
A secret time machine of sorts exists in the Anaheim Packing District.
Walking past various boutique eateries serving everything from ramen to crepes, most people may never guess that a Prohibition era-esque bar is hidden behind the walls of the multi-restaurant structure. The exact location of The Blind Rabbit isn’t readily disclosed. Patrons have to find the door.
If a guest is able to find the hidden bar and has made reservations, he or she will enter an establishment that doesn’t seem to belong in Orange County, let alone in 2015 — a small, 35-seat traditional 1920s speakeasy, complete with ambient light, period-appropriate décor, unique cocktails, a wall lined with a red leather bench and soothing jazz playing in the background.
Co-owners Robert Adamson and his wife, Ying Chang, were inspired to open a speakeasy — which during Prohibition was a bar disguised as a theater or other establishment to escape the nationwide, constitutional ban on liquor — because such locations are not common in today’s society, especially in Orange County.
Adamson said he believes his bar is one of the few speakeasies, if not the only one, in the county. Other speakeasies are operated in San Diego, Los Angeles and New York.
To learn more about cocktails and speakeasies, Adamson read books on the topics.
“This was outside both of our comfort zones,” he said. “We were definitely delving into something that we were only somewhat familiar with. We had both been bartenders, but we had never been business owners. This was a whole different level.”
But the original concept for the bar, which celebrated its one-year anniversary May 30, wasn’t so classy.
“It was originally supposed to be a dive-bar speakeasy, but we changed that concept into what it is today,” said Adamson, who credits business partner Leonard Chan, the CEO of the local restaurant chain The Alchemists, with being the force behind the concept and bringing Adamson and Chang on board.
It had been Chan’s idea to open a casual establishment. However, the couple wanted to offer something more sophisticated to avoid what they considered the typical dive-bar crowd.
Adamson said he and Chang, both former bartenders, perceived that clientele as often loud, drunken troublemakers and not the kind of patrons they wanted at their business.
Chan gave his blessing.
To keep with the Prohibition-era theme — and to keep the peace — the couple laid out some ground rules for their bar.
A 90-minute time limit is enforced, especially on the weekends, to best ensure availability for all patrons.
Reservations are encouraged because of the bar’s limited capacity and tendancy to fill up on the weekends.
No flash photos or flashlights are allowed, to maintain the dim atmosphere.
And since cellphones had not been invented in the 1920s, no phone calls are allowed in the bar.
The rules aren’t intended to be onerous. The owners say they are simply aiming to create a unique experience that people can appreciate and remember and that customers are a priority.
“We’re a warehouse with chairs and alcohol unless the guests are happy,” Adamson said. “And if you’re not happy, we haven’t done our job right. We try to make every experience a memorable one.”
He recalled a time when he and his wife put in extra effort to please a customer.
When they had to move a woman’s Mother’s Day reservation because of a conflicting reservation for a private party, the couple bought the woman flowers.
“When she came in, we thanked her for moving her time, and we understood how difficult it was,” Adamson said. “We didn’t want to inconvenience her. She lit up when we gave her the flowers. We try to put those levels of thoughtfulness into everything that we do here.”
Chan, who also owns area restaurants including the Iron Press and Rolling Boil, said he considers the Blind Rabbit’s first year successful.
“This past year has been a huge learning experience and process,” he said. “We weren’t sure if people would take to a hidden bar in that area. Fortunately, we have had a great response and changed up our philosophy to give us the best shot at making everyone’s experiences an amazing one.”
The business is not only known for its atmosphere and craft cocktails, but entrees like the duck confit macaroni and cheese have been praised on Yelp.
The Blind Rabbit will roll out a new, barbeque-inspired menu on Monday. Items will include grilled lamb, bone marrow and Adamson’s personal favorite, “Street Dogz,” which consists of Berkshire pork sausage, smoked bacon, spicy garlic aioli, caramelized onion and fresh shallots.
Libations include the Boston Sour, Berry Peachy Tea and Bourbon Water Cooler, which mixes bourbon with lime, cane, basil, ginger, watermelon and ginger beer.
Adamson said the restaurant plans to serve alcoholic snowcones during the summer and alcoholic hot chocolate during the winter.
“I love the ‘wow’ face when I make a drink for somebody,” he said. “I love that we’ve stayed in business for this long. Some of our employees have had babies. It’s starting to feel more like a family environment, which is cheesy to say. But I like how it feels.”
If You Go:
What: The Blind Rabbit
Where: 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim
Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to midnight Fridays through Sundays
Cost: Menu prices range from $10 to $20
Information: theblindrabbit.com