Knock, knock, knock – Next Door Speakeasy + Raw Bar

It’s a Thursday night at 7:00 when Mivan Spencer peeks outside the window of his Italian restaurant, Pazza. He sees a group of people circling around the street, seemingly lost. Only they’re in the right spot. They just don’t know it.

They’re looking for Next Door Speakeasy & Raw Bar – but, this isn’t your typical bar. If anything, it’s an experience that starts with simply finding it.

(Pretend this is invisible ink and keep this between us – but the entrance is inside
Pazza on Porter. Shhh!)

Maybe you figure it out on your own, or maybe you go inside and ask someone if they could help point you in the right direction. But once it’s clear that you are there for the speakeasy, the show begins.

Your party is escorted through the patio of Pazza where they are given an elaborate overview on everything they might encounter behind the secret door, which of course, you must knock on and can only be opened with a secret word or code, which you are given when your reservation is confirmed.

Sometimes, people don’t remember the answer and break a sweat on the spot or have facial expressions that exude panic, Spencer said, who is also co-owner of Next Door. But don’t worry; you will be taken care of – that is, if you have a reservation, of course. Walk-ins are also accepted, space permitting.

“The idea is to make sure that when that door swings open, when people knock on the door, we want them to feel like they are special,” Spencer said.

He wants his customers to immediately feel the exclusivity and top-notch hospitality. Every little detail was chosen to elevate their take on the modernized speakeasy.

Their dress code doesn’t allow athleticwear, flip flops, tank tops or hats of any kind and they encourage bringing your best attitude and leaving behind “anyone you wouldn’t want to bring to Mother’s house for dinner.”

The only thing is, your experience at Next Door won’t be anything like eating dinner at your mother’s house (unless your mother is a professional mixologist, raw bar enthusiast and interior design specialist).

Once you make it inside and start browsing the menu, you’ll find high-end, locally sourced spirits combined with all sorts of ingredients to create the perfect cocktail. Have you ever heard of Butterfly Pea Flower Infused Hendricks Gin? Toasted Sesame Maple Syrup? Or using Blue Spirulina in anything but a smoothie?

Beverage Director Josué Castillo used to live in San Diego and flew out as a favor to help his friend (Spencer) curate a menu for Pazza. But eventually, Spencer convinced him to move here full-time and create the unconventional cocktail menu for Next Door.

“We have never shied away from saying that our cocktails are some of the best, if not the best in the city,” Spencer said. “If cocktails are your thing and you want that type of experience, we’re the place for you.”

Not only are the cocktails (that can become mocktails if you wish) delicious, but their presentation is equally all-consuming.

Sure, your wine might come in your typical wine glass. But most of their signature drinks come in anything but. Spencer’s favorite is the Lock & Key, which comes in a mini smoking treasure chest. Another favorite is the Bird’s Nest, which comes in a hanging glass terrarium nest with edible flowers and a gold paper crane on top, which Spencer says adds a “nice little touch.”

And if while you are drinking these masterpieces, you get a little hungry, you have plenty of small plates, cheese boards, or shellfish towers to choose from, courtesy of Executive Chef Gino Scalzi.

All of this to say, Spencer invites you to escape the hustling and bustling of Boston and visit them just a few miles outside the city. On top of their picturesque potables, they have their own parking lot, so you don’t have to hover over a parallel spot, and there is no traffic! Like Spencer said, “We provide the full-blown experience,” and to a Bostonian, the no traffic and parking should be the cherry on top.

Plus, they offer occasional events like sushi-making classes and comedy nights, and you can rent out the space even outside their business days, which are Thursday-Sunday. Anything you want, they want to make happen. So, make your reservation today and follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on new events and classes.

The idea of Next Door was created as Spencer watched tenants move out of an apartment building right next to their Italian restaurant. 2 years, thousands of cocktails and plenty of shrimp tails later, the team wants you to be the next person circling outside Pazza, looking for the entrance to a secret speakeasy. And now, you know where to find it.

Knock, knock, knock…