Rotgut.org Blog: #6469 - Quintana's Speakeasy, Cleveland Heights, OH

Tuesday, May 05, 2026

#6469 - Quintana's Speakeasy, Cleveland Heights, OH - 2/10/2026

Quintana's Speakeasy, Cleveland Heights, OH

In 2015, Alex Quintana and wife Dawn Momgelluzzi-Quintana were running a barber shop and Spa in a 1920s colonial house in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, which they'd opened in 2003. That year, as a larger space became available right next door, they'd moved the spa business into it, leaving the two floors above the barbershop available. It was apparently Dawn who suggested a speakeasy, as the two were inspired by trips to New York. The hidden bar opened that year to instant acclaim.

Quintana's Speakeasy, Cleveland Heights, OH

Quintana came to the Cleveland area from Chile. His father, who had been forcibly interned by Augusto Pinochet, was able to move the family to the U.S. with the help of Amnesty International. (thrillist) Alex and Dawn's business won several awards, and their eventual move into craft cocktails in rooms hidden behind bookcases and opening into warm, prohibition era decorated spaces, made the probably the first modern speakeasy in the area and one compared to the best cocktail programs in the city.

My bartender was Addie, who has been around 10 years or so, prepared a Queen Anne's Revenge and then a Smoky Robin for me. The drinks were quite enjoyable, the spaces, including a separate space on the floor above behind another secret bookcase, were glowing and warm, and I've added Quintana's to my list of top favorites.