 Welcome to Rational Speakeasy. Or should that be rational pub? Maybe it should even be rational. Let's all go out and have a drink. I'm joined today at the table by Sarah. Sarah, thank you so much for coming in. And a special anniversary, Sarah's 10th anniversary at the Speakeasy, 3rd and Main. Sarah, welcome to the table. Thank you, Nigel. That was an accomplishment and a half. Ten years. Yes. So tell me a little bit about, especially the last couple of years when we were going through the COVID thing. That must have been so hard keeping the business running. You know, it was terrifying initially. Yeah, it was really like getting the rug pulled out from underneath you. Staff was in a panic. Everybody was like, the whole world was like what is going on. And it took us a little while to adjust. You know, we came together initially as a staff and we talked about things and then all the different programs got put into place. And it actually was a really interesting, it was 10 months that we were closed. So upon reopening with all the restrictions and a different way of operating and time frames being closed at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. Just figuring out how to maneuver. We came back stronger than we were prior to COVID. So looking back in hindsight for a while it was really a scary time to go through. But then we really enjoyed a lot of our time because we're really close knit staff. So we went out into nature and played on paddle boards and barbecued and we were all together all the time anyway. So we're just like a big family. Right. That's what I've heard from a lot of the staff is that it is a big family. It really is. And that's such a nice way to treat staff. That's how I, you know, that was part of my motto when I decided I was going to go on business is I wanted to be treated doing others as you have them doing you. So I'm going to treat people the way I want to be treated. And I know that in my experience oftentimes I was misunderstood and you know, or labeled and then treated a certain way. And it was, it could be very frustrating, especially when you're younger and you just feel like you, I'm being misunderstood. Nobody understands me. And so it works both ways. We are at a good speed, a good momentum moving forward all the time. January 28th, 2023 is 10 years from January 28th, 2013, 10 years to the day. But of course you had, you actually took over the property, what five or six months before you officially opened. Correct. We obtained the space in June of 2012, but it took a whole full six months to, to get it to how you wanted it. Put it back together again. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, because really you turned it from what's the correct expression here, a spit and saw dust type establishment to the speakeasy. Thank you. Thank you. You know, I love it. Thank you. Yeah. I love it down there. And I think I've said this to you before and I think I've even said it on camera, but when my daughter works in Hollywood, they've got a real speakeasy that has been put in, in moth balls ever since the twenties in her building. Really? Yeah. And only a few people have seen it recently and luckily enough when I was out there, she took, took, took us into it. And that's why I am so happy with what you've done because pretty similar. Really? Oh, absolutely. You've not shared this with me. You nailed it. Now there were no LED light and there were no flashing lights, but when it comes to the decor itself, like especially in the, in the front part. Yeah. I mean that, that could be picked up, moved back to the 1920s, dumped in a speakeasy and everyone was just walking and go, yep. Yeah. I mean it's. It's not absurd at all. Last Friday, Saturday, I was in my office, which is close by the front door and I was doing some paperwork and the door chimes when the door opens. So I heard it, caught my attention and these, I could tell they were young just by their, the way they were interacting with one another. But the first thing one of the guys said was, what the heck? Did we just walk into our grandma's living room? Well, actually. And for the first, second, I was like, No. And then I was like, that's okay. Compliment. That's where all of this kind of stuff from was my grandma and her idea of what classy was and. No, it really works. The place works. And it's such a lot. People don't realize just how big it is. Yeah. I love doing that. They think, they think it's just the bar area, but of course you've got the whole back room, which is probably what three times bigger than the actual bar area. So quick little story. Last week, I was down there later than usual and we were open for business and there was a young man there and my bartender was like, he would like to speak with you. And he had flown in from Los Angeles. He was with NBC news. Oh, really? Specifically. And he wanted to capture some photos on the story they were doing, but that's a whole conversation. So he thought, he thought, he was in just this little bar area. Yeah. I love to do this. And we sat and talked for a good 15 minutes and I said, did you make your way to the back? And he was like, no, let me show you. I'll give you the little tour. And when you turn the corner, everybody, they're first, it's always the same. Their reaction. Yeah. Because you've got that beautiful, beautiful long hall. Yeah. And what is most strange about the hall area, is the acoustics are so good. Yeah. Because even if you're sitting right at the back, as far away from the stage as you can get, it still comes in with good clarity. Yeah. It's an amazing little room. It really is. It really is. I didn't stumble on it, but I didn't realize just how special that room was. And so, and I'm glad I left a lot of the things as they were. Mm-hmm. Because talking with Ben, it's like, different bands or members of a band that had played there in the 70s and 80s. And their recollection of what it was to play there and the sound and the acoustics and everything that you spoke of, it's the same. Yes. Because it's the wood floors, the stone walls, and the tin ceiling, and it's just a long narrow room. Long narrow room. The shotgun room. But wait, there's more. And off this room is also your pool room. Okay. My billiards room. Your billiards room. Yeah. Do you call it billiards room or pool room? It depends. It really should be called the billiards room because there's a photo of my space, the building that is in the downtown. I actually have a photo. I need to frame it and hang it. Maybe in our next interview, I could say I've done that because I keep saying, I'm going to do that. But going into the entrance space, which now goes into our room, but at the time 1904, I believe, or it was 04 or 07, the sign on the side said billiards and cigars. From now on, we officially call the pool room the billiards room, which will upset any other Brit that goes in there because a billiards table is a lot bigger than a pool table. Oh. Okay. I didn't know that. Yeah. Have you ever seen an English table? No. No. Have you ever seen an English table? I imagine where I first started bartending across the street at the Opera House, they had those massive, they're the ones. Beautiful. Those are the real billiards. There's six of them up there. Those are the real billiard tables? Yeah. No, mine is not. I know yours is not. You couldn't fit those tables in. Well, you may be able to fit one in because they're so much bigger, but you've got two in there and it fits perfectly. Yeah. You've got the seating, of course, and you've got the big televisions, which is nice. Oh, that's something else they didn't have in the 20s. Yeah. No, I've had a lot of statements about all the LED lights. Typically, they're compliments because there's a lot of cool lighting. You can accentuate so many different things. All the pretty bottles that are out today with different liqueurs and liquors and just the building itself. You can run a light around the top of all the stone wall or accent the stones. Yeah. Well, you know, it's worth popping in just to see the bar area because the way the bottles all wrap around the wall and the way you've got the lighting done, it really is a beautiful looking setup. It's gorgeous. I have taken photographs of it. Obviously, it's great. So what made you think about putting on that wonderful 10th anniversary party? Oh, we had to. That's a milestone. But you made it great. You made it great Gatsby. I had a little hiccup with getting my invitations. I started back in late October, early November, and the first invitations I got back were not up to my style. They just would not look. They were not speakeasy enough. They just were cheaply made. Finally got the company that did produce a beautiful invitation, but I got them so late. And then I didn't realize if you send them out in the mail in a black envelope that it does something with the post office a delasier. Oh, really? Yes. That was a lesson learned for anybody watching. I did not know that. Yeah, black envelopes are not productive to timely mail. We're going to have to get someone in from the post office to explain that one. Yeah. But the turnout that we had was so amazing. There was a few faces. I said all that because there was a few people that I messaged personally, but plus they've moved during their in different states. And I wouldn't expect everybody to come just for a 10-year anniversary party. But the turnout of I made it certain to invite ex-employees, bands, just people that karaoke host, open mic host, just an array of people who have contributed to who we are today because of their contribution small or large. Sometimes it's for a short period of time and there's other employees that were there for years that are no longer here. Yeah. Life just moves you in different directions. It was so amazing to see to have the coming together of and the participation. Mm-hmm. I heard a story last Saturday. This young man, it was his first time entering the Speakeasy the night of the 10-year anniversary party. Oh, nice. And his description was hilarious. He was, he's 29 years old. He had learned about it. He had been doing work for a month before working with one of his buddies in another state and a friend of his hyping up the Speakeasy and so much fun until you get there. And so their first night in, they got there a little early because they're young. Past 11 p.m. is a whole different Yes. scenes, a lot of youngsters. And so they came a little early and we were in there that night and we looked good. Everybody was dressed because we did a Gatsby party that's a theme, the whole Speakeasy prohibition era. And all my staff and the patrons and so many people invited, I mean, I'm at a loss of words for just that the men were also debonair. They had grown their mustaches out to twist them up. Yeah. Bow ties. Yeah. That's the one thing I felt upset about. I didn't think the bow tie was big enough. You looked fabulous. Thank you. You looked fabulous. Well, so did you, of course. But that's it. All the gowns and the fur and the feathers and the pearls and people really took the time to dress the role and it was just so fun. So this young man walked down and my DJ in the front room was playing, he called it jazz. It's like a mix of electronic jazz but a lot of old school. He was doing jazz rock and blues rock fusion music. Which I love. Something really cool I didn't even know existed. Oh, yeah. He walked down and he was standing at the door getting ID'd and getting his bracelet and was looking around. He was like, I didn't know what I walked into. He was like, everybody was dressed in furs and feathers and suits and he was like, I didn't think I was going to be able to afford a beer and had you ever seen anything like that in real life? He said, no, only the movies. He's looking at his friend across the room like, this is not how you explain this establishment but neither one of them knew that it was a 10-year anniversary Gatsby party. Oh, right. No, we're like this every Saturday. Yeah. It was pretty funny listening to there. I mean, I really enjoyed myself that night. Just so you know, I still have the invitation. The reason is, I thought it was an absolute work of art. It really was. It finally did come through. And it just, it just, it springs out at you. Right? The way that it was done. It was so lovely. Thank you. So I hang on to that. And of course, you also had the two food trucks out front, which was nice. I'm surprised they were able to get parking, but they did. We worked at, and the snow, we did get snow that night. Yes, we did. So that made it a little bit difficult. I remember it well. But it was kind of cool to add it to the whole, because a lot of the women did have on furs, the shrugs and accessories. Yes. And walking in the snow and holding somebody's arm and you're all dressed in your gown and your furs. It's just, you got to dress, that's right. I agree. And it's fun. It was fun to see everybody particularly. And your son looks so smart in his all white suit. Thank you. He looked really smart in that. It was actually his birthday that night too. No. Yeah. Oh, I thought I'd known that I was abortive. The 10 years before that, I was in such a frantic, I needed to get open. Like, I cannot wait another day. And so that day was just like, that register news. Like, I'm maxed out. We have to open for business. Right. So I actually kind of spaced his birthday out that year. Oops. Yeah. He was 13. Which is a big one. Oh, double, double loops. I know. Oh, spank mummy. And Facebook reminds me every year when it brings up, 10 years ago on this day, I made this post on the 29th. Mm-hmm. Apologizing and showing love to my son. But, so that was kind of special. That was nice. So I was able to give him a little shout out. Also, where did you find that bag? I'm glad you brought that. They were absolutely superb. They were. There was two bands that played that night. The first band was the George Nelson band. Mm-hmm. Which was my very first band to play. Oh, okay. On my grand opening night. Nice. 10 years prior. George Nelson blesses heart. He's, he's in his 90s. Mm-hmm. And he's still, he's out there playing. He's still doing it. He's just as great as I imagine as ever. He's, he's special. So they play the first set and then the second band, they're called Heron Turkey. Mm-hmm. But they're a group with youngsters and a lot of horns and a lot of talent. And they, they brought the vibe. I mean, they had the right music for that night. Right. And it was so high energy and maybe everybody didn't know the songs, you know, to like sing along with or to dance to. But the dance floor was full and everybody just enjoyed them. So they were perfect. Absolutely right. Yeah. That's what absolute counts. I mean, I doubt whether anyone left their frowning. I think everyone was beaming. Yeah. You know, because it was such a good evening. Yeah, it was. Except for the food trucks, they were really cold. They were, it was, that was like a negative 7 degree. It was. Those people were like, is it over yet? We're frozen. I felt so bad for them. Oh dear. So if I'm still around in 10 years time, I will look forward to your anniversary. Right? How am I going to top 10? Sorry? How, however am I going to top 10 years? Yeah. It was such a great, I truly left that night, feeling so blessed and so, just blessed, grateful, because I'm going to give a shout out to Sherry. Sherry is my manager, bartender, like she is my right hand. She's been there 10 years with me. Oh wow. She's helped me together. We learned so much from one another and she's so solid and whenever I hire somebody new, I always tell them, when you interact with Sherry and you're talking to Sherry, go on ahead and imagine my face being right there because like she is me. Right. And the 10 years of us getting, that was special for us too, because we were both just like wow. Bars come and go, they really do, and some of them come and go incredibly quickly. The speakeasy is just a magical place here in Longmont. It really is. Have you ever been down to the speakeasy in Denver? I believe there's several of them at this point. There's a couple. Yeah. But no. No? I don't know which one specifically you're thinking of. I'm not thinking of any particular one. I didn't know whether you just, you know. No, I hadn't. Honestly, the building, I had never even heard the word speakeasy before. Right. I was brought out by a Chicago colony being from the Midwest myself. That was very interesting to me. So I just went on this whole search about the tunnels. Yeah. And it took me to a website Roaring in the 20s, Chicago Roaring in the 20s, and found the word speakeasy and with that everything just kind of came and I already knew I was going to do that era theme. I just didn't know the word and I thought I was on to something sober I knew. Yeah. Right. Well, we were remodeling. Yes. You couldn't have any better, like, promotion that I'm not promoting. This is out here in the theaters. Everybody's watching this Gatsby movie with done so well. Yeah. Now we're going to have a very own speakeasy. So, but I had really thought I was at the forefront of some epic. No, sorry. No, they're everywhere. My feelings kept getting hurt all the time. Philadelphia or the one in, you know, all these different big cities. No. So, anyways, we're special. We're in Colorado, Longmont. You're in Longmont, Colorado. You've got this wonderful, wonderful bar sitting right on 3rd and Main. Who could ask for anything more? Except I have to drive there, which is a shame, because I live too far away to stagger home. But that's another story. And we should mention it just in case people didn't watch the first interview. This was a speakeasy back in the 20s. Sarah has done her research. This was actually a speakeasy taking over from a speakeasy. Yeah. It's amazing. Full circle. History repeats itself, right? And I bet there are not too many speakeasies that actually can claim that. Can prove that they used to be a real speakeasy in the 20s. Yeah. It is pretty cool. It is. It goes back to the early 1904-07. I need to figure out which year. It's one of those two years where there was billiards and cigars. Mm-hmm. So, I mean, that was pre-prohibition. Yes. They're down there shooting cool and smoke as cigars. That's right. And there's the whole tunnel system. And the tunnels are interesting because unfortunately a lot of them have been with the speakeasy. Sarah's speakeasy. You can see the entrance to the tunnels. You can see where the tunnels actually ran. There's one that goes behind the bar area, but there's also another one up by the stage area. Yeah. And that gives you a really good indication of what these tunnels really look like. Yeah. Well, they're all through from third it might even go down further. I don't know if I could say that but I do know that on the south side of Third Street those big buildings those historic buildings also had the tunnels. Yes. I do know that for fact. But the tunnels they go all the way up for blocks. Yes. And you're right. A lot of them have been filled in. Yeah. There's a construction project going on right now on 9th and Main. And when they leveled that I saw them because I drive by every day to take my daughter to school. And I was like, oh, so cool. Another little bit of history vanished. Do you imagine if we had all these if we just had kept those intact we could Longmont kid really they could have done something cool with that. They really could. Anyway. In fact if they'd have kept all the tunnels we could actually have gone on a pub crawl without actually ever going out into daylight. Sarah once again thank you so much for coming down to the studio. The 10th anniversary was a wonderful day. It really was. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I took a ton of photographs and you know you've seen the results of those. Yeah. It really was just a wonderful wonderful evening wonderful time. But you know I love I used to go down there when it was cheers I love the I love the space I've always loved the space. Right. It's just that now it's 180 degrees difference from what cheers was to what you are. Thank you so much. But I enjoyed both spaces spaces. Right. It's the space it's the it's the space and that is a word that I heard repeated. Yeah. After a 10 year anniversary party from patrons that had attended it was magical because it really was like to have so many people from so many different facets of life different walks of life all different all mingling all showing up looking super sharp I mean dressed to the hill and cameras flashing and everybody posing and pretty and the music was like it just was it was perfect. It was. It was good. I think we will call it quits right there because I think you did a great sonation there. Thank you very much for tuning in to this rational speakeasy I'm Nigel Aves your host I want to once again thanks Sarah very much for coming down to the studio to record this show everyone out there stay safe stay merry and if you've got nothing to do after four o'clock in the afternoon third and main the speakeasy come down have a beer have a cocktail have a top shelf if you've got a couple of hundred bucks in your pocket I'm sure Sarah will sell you one of her very expensive brandies just come and enjoy yourselves it's a great place anyway everybody thanks so much for tuning in bye for now bye thank you