- April 26, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Fusion 43 at the Rose Villa opened up Ormond Beach's first speakeasy July 30.
“Mr. Bugsy Siegel sent me.”
After hearing that secret phrase, General Manager Wes LeMoyne pulls opens a small window behind what look’s like a bookcase. He peers out to check out the visitors and opens to the secret door to let them into The Library — Ormond Beach’s first speakeasy.
Held in a small room on the second floor of Fusion 43 at the Rose Villa, The Library is a Prohibition Era-themed bar that’s only accessible via password. Thankfully the password isn’t too hard to find as long as you like the restaurants’ Facebook page.
LeMoyne says the bar is unique not only in its location and décor, but it’s drinks as well. The bartenders practice mixology, which is the practice of building an alcoholic drink recipe with fresh herbs and juices.
“We build a drink,” LeMoyne said. “It’s not just a rum and coke. We have more than just your run of the mill liquors. It’s more than just the drink, it is the whole show.”
A lot of the drinks, like The Hemmingway and Satan’s Whiskers, are Prohibition Era drinks.
Restaurant owner Anthony Trevena said the mixology will draw people to the Library.
“We’re really excited to offer something that isn’t the classic cocktail,” Trevena said. “It is handmade and handcrafted. Each drink tells a story and it is really a unique form of mixology.”
The small room can fit comfortably around 10 to 15 people, but during their grand opening July 30 LeMoyne said they had around 25 people. Though it’s not required, LeMoyne said people are welcomed to dress in clothes from the era to really get the feel of the bar.
“We’ve had people come dressed in full gangster style,” LeMoyne said. “But it’s Florida, people can wear whatever they want.”
The restaurant will continue to keep the bar running from 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday night.
“Something different, something cooler,” LeMoyne said. “ The grand opening was packed. It was jammed packed. If something is opened every night why is it cool? It just seems like there needs to be a reason to do it.”
