You might be wondering what in the world is a “Cutesville Connection,” well, in order to understand that, you’d have to first know what Cutesville is. Cutesville is what my wife, Melissa, and I, along with ALL of our friends, refer to Granite City, Illinois as. Cutesville, USA, the place we love so much.
Now I’m sure several of you have scoffed at this, but let me tell you what, we absolutely love it here! Melissa and I live in a beautiful house, in a beautiful neighborhood, in a beautiful town. Sure, every place has its opportunities, but here in Cutesville, we have so much more going for us than many choose to recognize.
We have a world class park, Wilson Park, that most everyone I know commonly refers to as “The Disneyland of Illinois,” which features my favorite public pool of ALL time and I CANNOT wait for it to reopen for the summer on May 28; we have what I FIRMLY believe is THE BEST movie theater on the east side of the St. Louis metropolitan area, The Granite City Cinema (or the Cutesville Cineplex as I always hear it called); there’s a strong small business community featuring such outstanding places as Duke’s Bakery, Manhattan’s Coffee & Social House, Tinseltown, Jerry’s Cafeteria – which I love with every beat of my heart and will DEFINITELY be doing a blog on someday soon – and of course, all of Brenda Whitaker’s fine establishments.
I’m not even going to pretend otherwise, I came to The Speakeasy with the anticipation of loving it because I’m very much a HUGE fan of ALL of Brenda Whitaker’s businesses here in downtown Cutesville: The Garden Gate Tea Room, Boardgamery, Downtown Diner, Cutting Room Haunted House, and Alfresco Productions at the Alfresco Performing Arts Center. Every place she runs is top notch and nothing is half-assed, but let me tell you all what, as you’re about to see and read from my photos and experience, she truly outdid herself with The Speakeasy! It really is SIMPLY THE BEST!
From the moment we walked inside the faux butcher shop entryway, I was instantly reminded and transported to a Disney Park! The incredible attention to detail that was in every possible aspect of this superb establishment was just so well done that one would’ve thought a team of Imagineers had assembled it all together! Being a HUGE fan of all things Disney – ESPECIALLY Disney Parks – I couldn’t give a bigger and better compliment! We had THE BEST time at The Speakeasy and I knew the second we walked inside this was to be my next blog because this place needs to be visited by everyone from everywhere! Just take a look at what I’m talking about…!
As you’re about to see, the Butcher Shop entryway really set the tone for what we knew was going to be an intricately and entertainingly designed and decorated place. The prohibition era vibe takes center stage inside this butcher shop and never lets up even for a second beyond the cooler. It had us excited from the get-go!
We took a very special table at the very front of the establishment, which provided us with excellent views of the majority of the place. Back when this was Aiello’s Pizzeria, this was the table we would sit at every single time, so it felt like a full circle moment for us getting to sit here once more. When this was the Downtown Diner we never sat in this spot, not sure why we abandoned it, but fate has brought us back to our original sitting place.
The four of us were famished and felt that the prices were extremely reasonable, so we quite literally ordered one of everything from the Small Plates menu (minus the Tasting Tray)! You’re about to see photos of each shareable plate with the exception of the Brussels Sprouts, which for some terrible oversight, I failed to snap a picture of, but trust me when I say, they were every bit as PHENOMENAL and picturesque as all else you’re about to see…
Few things in this world impress me more than a high quality restroom and let me tell you all what, the restrooms here were of the absolute highest quality! As you’ll soon see for yourself, these restrooms were top notch! The decor and attention to detail didn’t stop behind these doors, in fact, if anything, it was enhanced! I was so mesmerized by how intricately entertaining it was inside. No need to sit on your phone while doing your business as there’s PLENTY to look at and take in all around you! Take a look…
The Speakeasy is located at 1318 Niedringhaus Avenue in Cutesville, USA – oops, I mean Granite City, Illinois. They’re open from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and then 5:00 p.m. until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
I truly cannot reiterate anymore than I already have about how much of a DO NOT MISS place this is! Legit 10/10 highly recommend! Five stars! A+! Whatever perfect rating you go by in your life this place earns it! If you’re looking for something fun, fresh, and thrilling to do one evening then The Speakeasy is where you NEED to go! I guarantee you’ll have a great time and already be looking forward to your next visit back because I know I most certainly am!
THANK YOU so much for viewing! I appreciate your support tremendously! Please feel free to leave a comment below as I LOVE reading and responding to them! I’ll return next week with another all new post, so until then, I wish you all, all the best!
More Cutesville Connections:
OMG! This place does look cute! I can’t wait to get my girls and come check it out! We will love this! Thanks for sharing!
Yes! You all will have to go! You. Will. Love. It.
Ouga ouga ouga ra ra jubilee
There is a lil’ stage for future performances, maybe you can turn this into a jingle & sing it one night!
Looks like a real neat place wish I lived nearby so I could go and check out it out because the wife and I would love a place like this.
We really did have THE BEST time!
Brenda never seems to disappoint when it comes to her unique establishments in Granite City. What a great place to visit. I hope to patronize this business soon! Thanks for sharing Ben.
You’ll have to come with us sometime! We are already VERY eager to get back!!!
Planning to visit after seeing ALL SHOOK UP ON June 10.hope you have some non alcoholic drunks, health issues cannot have any alcohol. Maybe a Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri?
They had a handful of non-alcoholic drinks including both the ones I had that evening! So fear not, there’ll definitely be something for you! Have a wonderful time at All Shook Up! What a thrilling night you have down the road!
Great story can’t wait to go see it
Thank you much & I can’t wait for you to go either! It really is simply the best!
You folks can really set a scene. Love your passion for promotion. A new little reSale clothing store call reDress,
that just opened up in cutesville,
could benefit from your style and enthusiasm.
Thank you so very much! I really appreciate it! I know exactly where that store is & will have to check it out someday soon!