Speak Easy | Photo Provided by Benjamin Amstutz
Speakeasy Steak and Ale House is located in the heart of Celina and offers customers a wide variety of spirits, steak and seafood. The 1920 theme of prohibition is evident when customers enter the doors and experience the ambiance.
The history within the doors
Co-owners Benjamin Amstutz and Nathan Giesige decided to open the steakhouse in 2017 when the Celina-raised duo realized that they wanted to go into business together.
The two played with the name of the steakhouse for a time, wanting to find the perfect fit. They settled on speakeasy, the name for secret bars during prohibition where people were able to drink.
“The building is from that time period and that theme is still seen as a sort of golden age. It rang true that it was a common theme that most people would relate to,” said Amstutz.
The building has open space that keeps the architectural features alive today. Some of the front glass windows have designs made by Frank Llyod Wright. It has old-fashioned tile flooring and a stamped ceiling.
Coronavirus impact
Because of the coronavirus, Speakeasy has been asking people to mask up and sanitize as often as possible. Their seating around the bar was removed, but they were able to create an outdoor lounge area for guests to gather.
“We’ve been lucky to not have anyone directly related to the business be in the thick of it,” said Amstutz. “Hopefully this is because of the precautions we have been taking.”
Steak and ale house options
Speakeasy offers over 200 varieties of craft beer, wine and spirits for customers to order. They will occasionally promote drinks.
“We are more likely to do more wild new drinks instead of happy hour at this time. However, once we get back into the fall schedule we might see more of that. We were shut down for 17 weeks, so our new theme now is to offer something we haven’t been able to offer in a long time,” said Amstutz.
The steak and ale house offers an assortment of choice-cut steak, chicken and seafood. According to Amstutz, the must-try menu option is the bacon wrapped scallops. People also order the ribeye, filet mignon and the firecracker shrimp taco.
Where to find them
Speakeasy Steak and Ale is located at www.211speakeasy.com and Speakeasy Steak & Ale House on Facebook.
Their address is 211 South Main Street in Celina.
Speakeasy is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.
