Mileta
Lexington · $$$
4.4(302)
Lexington, KY · $$
Constitution is a prohibition-era style speakeasy, specializing in carefully crafted cocktails. We also offer a variety of delightful wines, beers, spirits, and non-alcoholic offerings. Enter the bookstore and press the button for service. Even if you know how to access the secret entrance, please ring the bell and wait for us to escort you to your seat. We appreciate your patience. 21+ only. Cash not accepted. Please be aware that we are not a traditional bar; we are a cocktail lounge. We strive to provide a comfortable and elevated experience for each guest. For this reason, we give each guest specific seating and provide table service. There is no crowding to order at the bar or standing in the walkways. It is very important that you accurately specify the number of people in your group. If you show up with more people than the number on your reservation, there is no guarantee that we can seat your entire party. If you show up with less people than the number on your reservation, we reserve the right to seat you at a smaller table if necessary. For groups larger than 8 people we ask for a credit card hold of $20/person that would only be charged in the event of a no show or cancellation less than 24 hours before the time of the reservation. We are a small space and multiple tables for one group is a significant percentage of our capacity. If you have a group size larger than 8, please contact us at the email below so we can accommodate you in the best way possible. Our estimation is that each guest will order at least 2 drinks during their time with us. We reserve the right to ask for seats back if it has been one hour after the last drink was ordered. We allow 1.5 hours for reservations for 1-3 people and 2 hours for reservations for 4+ people. You are welcome to stay longer if we do not have a group waiting for your table. Service times may be shorter for our last reservations of the night, as our closing time is 10pm on Sundays and Wednesdays, 11pm on Thursdays, and 12am on Thursdays-Saturdays. If you don't show, we will hold your reservation for 20 minutes, at which point we may give your table to another party. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. However, reservations are recommended if you would like a specific day or time. If you are interested in booking Constitution for a private event, reach out using the email provided below! Please keep in mind that reservations open 30 days in advance, so if you would like a specific date please inquire early. Please note we are not a restaurant and do not have food except for a snack trio of nuts, olives and nibbles available for purchase. You may bring in cake if you wish, however, you will need to bring your own cake knife, plates and forks as we do not keep those on hand. Please do NOT eat take-out as the smell can bother other guests.
“A classy speakeasy with a wonderful ambience and cocktail and bourbon options . Hospitality is great and the place has a classic old world vibe. Full of books and oak wood decoration . Ordered Silk and saddle : bourbon strawberry bitters Foro Play vermouth based like an Americano with grand dine and bitters Aperol spritz War and peace : bourbon Rye cognac cane All well crafted and delicious.”
“What a great place to stop for a couple of top notch cocktails. Ian and Aubrey took great care of us. My wife and I went with the Bartender's Choice option and they wowed us with one tasty cocktail after another. Highly recommend.”
“Hidden gem!! Some things to know: - If you can, make reservations in advance. Google maps links to the reservation; however, we showed up on a Sunday evening even though the app didn’t have any openings and they were able to seat us. - There is no signage at all on the building. Look at the pics here along with Google Maps to find it. - We parked on the street around the corner which is paid weekday parking, 2 hours max. Unsure if there is dedicated parking for the building. - Don’t tell your company what to expect. Let them enjoy the experience. - After you enter the building, don’t open the door to go further in. Ring the bell. They come get you from a secret entrance. - Expect to have amazing cocktails, try something new. The staff are excellent at making recommendations based on your preferences. And you may be surprised that a spirit you thought you didn’t like is in your new favorite drink. - It is not a restaurant- only speakeasy cocktail lounge. - We were dressed casually but it is definitely the atmosphere where dressing up elevates the experience. - There is bar service, large c shaped booths (holds 6-8ish people), and cozy 2 person seating. But in total it’s not a lot of seating. (Again, best to make reservations) - You’ll make memories here, enjoy yourself!”
“Had the best experience here! I found this establishment on TikTok and made it a must stop during my visit to Lexington. I sat at the bar where Rusty provided amazing drink suggestions and great conversation. The venue was beyond unique and didn’t lack luster at all! I will definitely be back the next time I visit Lexington. Every detail down to the ice in my drink was stunning.”
“REVIEW BELOW, BUT TWO DISCLAIMERS FIRST: It is VERY expensive, and they do not actually sell books, haha!! This place is SO cool! As a history lover, it was super cool to visit a place themed like a truthful portrayal of a speakeasy. You enter a small lobby-esque spot with a bell to ring and then you wait for someone to come let you in!! Take a few minutes to enjoy that space. The vintage literature is absolutely fascinating and breaktaking. It’s so neat to see all of their old copies and amazing collection. The only issue is that you can’t actually buy or rent any of these. I thought the “bookstore” cover to the lounge was also part of the business model and you could buy or read books, but unfortunately, it is not the case. I was pretty bummed about it, but it’s completely okay — I was just excited to check out/purchase from the collection. I’m just letting you know in case you (like me) were heading there to do some reading over a cocktail! The drinks were GREAT!! VERY expensive, but priced accurately for the quality of drink. It just was definitely pricey. A cool stop for a unique experience and some awesome, special cocktails, but super expensive and not the kind of place you’ll go to often unless you’re very wealthy. The service was AMAZING. The bartenders were FANTASTIC, easy to talk to, and — despite being busy — they don’t make you feel bad or like a burden for talking or asking questions, etc. They all are super nice, friendly, and I was in lounge clothes but they still welcomed me. I really appreciated it. The atmosphere is phenomenal. It is so cozy and feels so heightened and fancy, but also historical. It is such a neat spot and is perfect for an intimate occasion or event. The decor is stunning. It’s just a very lovely spot, and I highly recommend stopping in on a special occasion. People do make reservations, though, so if you’re going on a popular night, like a Friday, plan to possible reserve a spot in advance!”
109 Constitution St, Lexington, KY 40507, US
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