Rough Rider

From start to finish, Rough Rider delivers an experience that goes far beyond dinner—it’s an evening to remember. The atmosphere is warm and vibrant, the food absolutely phenomenal, and the energy of the place makes you want to stay long after the last bite. Our server, Heather, was an experience all her own. She has that rare gift of perfect timing—knowing when to bring the next course, when to crack the perfect joke, and when to quietly make sure everything is just right. Her service struck the ideal balance of humor, grace, and genuine hospitality. You can tell she loves what she does, and it shows in every interaction. The food? Second to none. Every dish was crafted with care and bold flavor, from first bite to last. And the signature cocktails—diverse, creative, and so much better than one could even expect. Each sip was its own story, crafted by bartenders who clearly know their craft. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, dining with coworkers, or just out for a casual drink and dinner—Rough Rider is the place to be. This restaurant begins and ends with a smile, and Heather made sure ours never left. Simply put, a flawless evening. Highly, highly recommend!

We have heard about this place and wanted to check it out. So we decided to go for our anniversary! It's a cool speakeasy vibe because of needing to take the right elevator down and it being so hidden. Plus all the fun drinks! We had the artichoke and potatoes and the carpaccio for an appetizer, which was really good. Be careful though, the white swirls on the plate with the potatoes, is butter and not sour cream, 😂! For our entree I had the duck breast and my wife had the bone in pork chop! Both were very good. The duck was fantastic!! They put a char on the skin and the duck was perfect! So tasty!! In all, this place is awesome!! A little loud, but worth it!

Some of the best cocktails that I’ve had in a while. We tried everything the server recommended and really liked all of it. The service was great. Definitely coming back when I’m in Phoenix again. Only issue I had was that it was a bit cold. The ac in there works great. But totally worth it.

Wow! Such a great place! The cocktails are amazing!!! Always try the clarified cocktail. Yet all the others are amazing! The food delicious as well. Olivia was superb and always helped someone in our party to order exactly the cocktail they desired! This place has been on my list for 2 years and we finally made it!

We rolled into Rough Rider Arizona to celebrate an anniversary, and the place delivered. It’s a legit speakeasy vibe dim lighting, solid brick-and-mortar feel, and a quiet, confident energy that’s easy to settle into. We kicked things off with the baked crab dip rich, creamy, and perfectly shareable then, two standout cocktails: Game Theory and Summer George. The drinks showed real craftsmanship bold flavors with balanced finishes. The service was sharp but never stiff, with spot-on recommendations. The atmosphere has a masculine, unpretentious charm great for a conversation filled night with a partner. We left with the “we’ll be back” vibe and a sense that this hidden gem is perfect for anniversaries or any night you want a well made, low key experience.

We had the most incredible dining experience at Rough Rider this evening. Our waitress, Olivia was attentive and extremely knowledgeable! She provided recommendations for us when we were unsure what to order and successfully guided us to heaven and back. The cocktails were unique and out of this world delicious. I am a huge mezcal fan, and the Twisted Nectar was to die for. We started with the oysters- the best mignonette we have ever had and the oysters were extremely fresh. We then had the crab dip which was like a mouth hug with delicious bread. Next for our main, we ordered the ribeye steak prepared medium rare and the cauliflower for a side. The cauliflower was the best thing we ate all night- truly a showstopper. The steak was cooked to perfection melt in your mouth good on a bed of the most decedent and delicious mashed potatoes. We then finished with the s'mores dessert which was the perfect ending to the perfect meal. 10/10 we cannot wait to go back and visit Olivia. She even brought us a little surprise when we told her that we are getting married soon!

Had to break the gate to the upstairs taco shop but we finally found our way in. Dark place, not as quiet as it should be given the setting. We had Olivia as our server, and let me tell ya, world class service! We started with oysters, fresh and briney. Wife ordered some cauliflower, which I'm usually not a fan, somehow they made it savory and delicious with amazing pickled onions. It was pretty damn good. Have I mentioned Olivia was our server? For entrees I had the ribeye and the wife had crab legs with some shrimp. The potato puree with the steak was amazing while the steak was the literal melt in your mouth. Wife was very happy with her crab legs and shrimp. For drinks we had old fashioned and sangria, both perfect. Did I mention Olivia was our server and was great? An excellent place with excellent drinks , great food and a server that was beyond compare.

What a fun experience!!! I love a good speakeasy and Rough Rider did not disappoint! We sat at the bar and enjoyed the atmosphere, the pictures of Teddy Roosevelt, and watching the bar tenders make the most amazing drinks! Highly recommend!! What a great date night

Huge thanks to a fellow customer sitting next to me at a bar top while in Sedona, who recommended we come here! Arriving for their opening, we were fortunate to find free parallel parking within a couple of blocks. Now, this is a speakeasy: no loud signs informing one of their location; having to take a specific (middle) elevator to go down to the basement; once the elevator doors open, to enter a dimly lit host station. The atmosphere is rich, elegant, and inviting from the start. Requesting to sit at the main (lively) bar top, we were fortunate and privileged to be served -- and entertained -- by Brad (and later, Brandon) -- both approachable, professional, knowledgeable, and comfortably attentive, making one feel valued. The impressive and positive teamwork is visible among the entire staff. Watching the cocktails being made by our talented bartenders was quite a show. Impressively, we noticed the use of large, clear, and stamped ice cubes in some of their cocktails -- such details truly elevate the experience. Hubby enjoyed his Legend Manhattan ($30) and Game Theory ($19); I thoroughly enjoy the presentation, scents, and flavors of my Signature Smoke ($35), followed by the Game Theory. For food, we enjoyed off their Happy Hour menu: Roasted Potatoes & Artichokes ($14). Off the regular menu, we shared their tender and well-prepared Ribeye ($80), with a finale of their delicious S'more Cake ($11) and French Press Coffee ($6). Happy Hour: Tuesday - Sunday, 3-5 P.M. What surprised us (and took a little away from this fine experience) is -- being such an elegant venue -- this is not 21-&-over until 9 PM (when the kitchen closes). Thankfully, the babies/children present weren't crying, loud, or running around. Fabulous experience and one we'd want to visit, again, when in the area.

This restaurant can be difficult to find if you don't know it's a speak easy in the basement of a high-rise building in downtown. The server was very attentive even with a group of 10+ people. Food was flavorful and presentation was beautiful on every single dish. Some drinks even came with a piece of candy as a garnish! It can be difficult to go to the restroom as they are upstairs and you have to take the elevator which can interrupt your meal. It would be nice if they had one downstairs where the restaurant is located. If you go I would recommend ride share! Although there is a parking lot in front of the high-rise it can be difficult to get in and out of especially at night!

Horrible, Bewildering experience. Frankly awaiting an apology.....This evening I took my husband for his 50th Birthday. We requested to sit at the bar and were happy to go as we had not been in quite some time and were to attend a show immediately after dinner. Oddly, after depositing water and menus no staff interacted with us for 10 or 15 minutes. Then a woman approached and asked us to leave immediately. We thought it was a joke -seriously. She said the female bartenders had "complained" about us at some visit sometime months (a year?) ago, which was strange. We thought they must have us confused with someone else. I asked for the manager because the woman refused to give any details about the complaint or the timeframe of the alleged infraction. She told me she was the owner and was "protecting her female staff...." I asked from what? She refused to answer. She insisted however that we leave. Now. My husband is diagnosed Aspergers (high functioning autism) and I told her that as sometimes his behavior is different than others. I asked that we be accomodated and seated at a table away from the bar. Nope. She refused us service without explaination and with a rude, indignant attitude. I would like to know 1. What on Earth is she talking about? 2. When did this alleged thing happen, and to whom and by whom? and 3. Why wasn't it discussed at time of occurence and/or why were we not contacted by phone or email in a timely manner if it was a situation??? We are terribly disappointed and upset by the actions of Kyla Hein last evening, and believe we deserve an explaination, especially since we have taken many friends, family & colleagues to this place over the years. I always drive, so I am careful about consumption and my husband has never been there without me, and we have never been asked to leave, never been "cut off", never been told there was any issue at all. And we dine out all over the metro at high end places consistently and have never had any issues anywhere else! So obviously our impression of the restaurant (and the entire hospitality group) is severly tarnished, and we will share that and will refer all business that we had been referring....elsewhere. Having been an owner/operator myself of high volume venues in two different states I can tell you Ms. Hein's customer interaction tonight gets an F - . We had never seen this woman in our lives! I hope management reviews internal practices as this type interaction carries, at some point, liability. Staff probably need better training & policies in place when working in a place of public accomodation. Just WOW (and not in a good way). Hope you are not the next boogeyman!

This is Hubby's favorite restaurant, so we come here relatively often. It's in the basement of a large office building on Roosevelt Row. There's not really a sign alerting you to the location, unless you count the huge smiling Teddy Roosevelt on the side of the building. This place is Teddy Roosevelt themed, At the decor really does bring you back in today 1910s. It's dark with lots of gorgeous carved wood. There are pictures of Teddy Roosevelt and because it is Teddy Roosevelt themed, you'll also find bits of Americana. There's a raw bar on one side, and on the other side there is a long bar, a lounge area with fireplace, and a dining room. There's also a little room with a sofa and some comfy chairs off to the side - - perhaps you can rent it privately? I do know that some people came in before us without a reservation and they were banished to the little room because there were no seats available at the bar or in the dining room. Every time we've come here we have had the most attentive servers. The cocktal menu offers a little something for everyone, although I don't think they have a large beer menu. They have wonderful cobbler drinks. Hubby had the Martini of Honor and I had a yummy mezcal drink topped with bee pollen called Twisted Nectar. We started with the the smoked salmon dip, which was delish! For dinner, we both had the pork chop with apple slaw, which is what I always order. Soooo good! Its a good idea to have a reservation on the weekend. And allow time for parking. They do validate!

This was my favorite restaurant and I used to tell everyone to go here. I drove 40 minutes and paid $22 to park for two hours. They say they validate for 1 hour-- if never shows up. No longer a favorite. I slept on this review as I made a reservation for our anniversary in the main dining room for when they open at 3:00 on a Saturday. We waited by the elevator to turn on. At 3:10 we followed a couple down the stairs. Then waited for host and informed her the elevator was not turned on. She said she knew it was broken and they called a guy--then why not place a sign on elevator to use the stairs. Host tried to sit is by the bar by a very loud and drunk whiskey tasting group that started earlier. We asked for a booth and they sat the two of us in a booth for 8! I asked server to move to empty restaurant smaller booth and he refused and said no one is sitting next to us yet. Even though we were the only ones there to eat early. Eventually the whisky group left. But my main issue was we ordered a 1 pound king crab legs for $165. The previous visits they were sweet and delicious. Even though the best season to enjoy king crab is October to January, so being December they should had been great but they had no taste and almost water logged. Do not order! Last visits we tried the salmon and chicken--cooked and tasted perfection. This time my wife tried the pork just ok. I tried and it was over spiced. I asked about the cabbage newburg--server said it was "interesting"-- odd response. It was just ok. Last we finished with the key lime cheesecake. Last visit it was awesome. This visit the pie tasted great but the proportion of crust to filling was way too thick of crust--needs better attention. I will say the server was great. In conclusion it seems like their focus has shifted to selling hip and fancy drinks and filling the bar and ignoring the food quality. Hence the restaurant was empty when we left--although not very late yet. Disappointed and we will not go back.

Had a fun time hanging out at the bar. The whiskey selection is pretty decent with a lot of different private barrel selections.

The ambiance is pretty cool. See the pictures. It is a bit warm for a basement though. The service was very good with one exception. We were asked if we liked our food once. When we got our appetizers. Which was excellent. The mascarpone potatoes are a must. The shrimp cocktail was very good as well. My wife had a cocktail that she liked very much as well. But the entrees. The ribeye was a good cut and very tender but totally un seasoned. The potato's it was sitting on were excellent. The chicken breast. Over cooked and very dry. The sauce and the celery root puree, very good. We were very disappointed at the entrees after the excellent appetizers and cocktail. The ambiance was top notch as well.

First time here. We chose this location to celebrate our anniversary and we are so happy we did. From the hostess, to the waitress, to the server, and bartender--all wished us a "happy anniversary" and even before we got started we were welcomed with celebratory champagne. Hilary our waitress was absolutely PHENOMENAL. Amazing service and great recommendations. She made our time here that much more awesome. Every cocktail we ordered was fantastic. We started with the roasted potatoes and artichokes--HIGHLY recommend. It is a large portion. I ordered the seasonal fish which happened to be salmon--it was good. My only slight complaint is the sauce was salty. If you read the review below mine--several others complained about the salty salmon as well. I was able to eat my dish but it was very salty. My boyfriend ordered the ribeye and he said it was one of the best steaks he has had and the mashed potatoes were equally amazing. The ambiance and vibe is amazing especially for date night or celebrating. Come check this place out!

Came here after work with a few friends to catch up on life. I've had this place book marked for some time now, so glad I checked it out! The ambience and vibes here are amazing! Low light, detailed woodwork throughout and speakeasy feels everywhere! It's usually busy so make sure to get a reservation beforehand. Unfortunately, the non-alcoholic options are basically tea....so I just went with water. We ordered some oysters, and while I'm not a huge fan of them, they were good. We also got the fried cauliflower appetizer that was pretty tasty. On a scale of 1 - 10, I'd come back just for the atmosphere alone, BUT, it kinda sucks that they don't have a few other non-alcoholic beers or drinks available.

Our server was amazing and very patient with us. He recommended some amazing dishes and was super helpful! The food and drinks were amazing. Our favorite was the potatoes because they were so crispy and the flavors were amazing!

Rough Rider was an amazing and delicious experience for dinner! The restaurant is located in the basement and gives off a dark, lodge, hip vibe. Paid parking is available in the parking garage to the east. Main building interior isn't labeled very obvious so find the elevators just past the lobby on the left. Restrooms are on the first floor. Once you get downstairs a small host booth sits to the right against the decorated wall. A large portrait of President Teddy faces you. There is varying seating options and bar seating too. We had really great service! Our water was always filled, we were checked on regularly and were provided recommendations on drinks and food. She explained everything thoroughly. Really appreciated her providing the details on the drink profiles. The food was delicious! We started out with crab dip and muscles. I had the Mr. President drink off the menu to start and it was so yummy for a sweeter side cocktail drink. The seafood menu items, not ordered, are served chilled. We shared the ribeye which was at market price, and cooked as ordered. A table next to us had ordered the potatoes and we were told by our server they were good but we opted out this time. The s'more dessert was just the right amount to finish off dinner. Highly recommend!! And make reservations.

The restaurant is at the base of The building. Food is good Strange feeling to be here

On Saturday evening, January 9, I had a reservation for a party of 8. We were seated and our drink order was delivered. We finished our drinks and waited until our server, Andrew came back. I eventually had to wave him down. At this time he took another drink order and a fairly large appetizer order. We ordered dinner and proceeded to eat. I know that our combined checks were over $1000, but Andrew was not paying a lot of attention to our table. About halfway through the meal, a member of our party began to get sick. By the way Andrew acted, it was obvious that he felt that the guest had too much to drink. He had not. He had had one martini. Andrew quickly grabbed the second martini (untouched) and removed it from the table. We allowed our friend to keep his head down on the table in an attempt to feel better. As we begin to see that he was not going to be able to transport to the elevator, we asked that an ambulance be called. Andrew called the ambulance but told us that we would have to get him upstairs because the FD could not come downstairs. As our friend could not walk or stand on his own, two of our party had to carry him out while he vomited all the way to the elevator. The paramedics took care of him upstairs. What would you do if someone had a head or neck injury? Make the dining party transfer them upstairs. I am quite sure that a paramedic could have done a much better job with this medical event than we did, but we were given every indication that Andrew wanted us OUT of the restaurant as quickly as possible. There were 5 families represented in our party and those 5 families will not return and will definitely share this story. DO BETTER.

Recommended by a friend , decided to check it out for a quick bite. You got to go through the alley and take an elevator to the basement. A really nice bar, very versatile location. We had a mocktail, but the place seemed like it had a lot of interesting cocktail options as well. Had a nice set up with sofas and like room to get like a more personal and casual setting. Wasn't too loud for a bar, easily communicate. Right from the beginning the hosts and the servers were very friendly and efficient. The roasted potato appetizers is a must try and was recommended by a friend. Very well balanced flavors, slightly a little extra garlic flavor which was really good. And it was perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. The mascapone cream was really good and added to the dish as well.

Neat place with a speak easy vibe! Service was on point and the charcuterie board was top notch with a variety of excellent cheeses.

This place is a GEM, don't miss the opportunity, CS, Ambiance, Food and Drink is FANTASTIC! Andrew was our Server and he was phenomenal, very polite, considerate, knowledgeable and accommodating. He made our dining experience memorable. We love this restaurant and we will be back.

Completed date night by reserving a late night seat at the bar for drinks and desserts. Skipped dessert because the charcuterie board was so filing and amazing. Best one I've had. Drinks were unique and perfectly crafted. The place was awesome. The hidden location had us circling at first but we had fun discovering it. The decor and atmosphere were top notch. The theme of Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders is felt all throughout. This is a rare speakeasy that actually feels like one. The wood affects and the amber lighting creates such a dim warmth. Definitely a new favorite and I've recommended this spot to every friend!

Sat at the bar this time. It's a beautiful bar with an interesting theme and a very upscale feel. Tried the crab dip and it was delicious and a perfect late night snack. Service was friendly and informative and it was a wonderful 4th of July stop.

Firstly, this place is amazing. Secondly, this place is amazing. We had dinner organized for 5 of us for NYE here and were absolutely blown away by the quality of the food that was served - phenomenal. Our waitress was fantastic - very accommodating, communicative, and knew her stuff. Also she was ALOT of fun. The pictures of the food speaks volumes - even though I am not the best foodie photographer.. however the flavors were divine. Everything was perfect - I cant speak more highly of the quality, and presentation of the dishes. All were excellent. The cocktails were good - the Old fashioned became the table favourite very quickly. I tried the gin cocktail (9mm & a Three piece Suit) which was nice but the Legend Old Fashioned was better all round. We will DEF be back for a happy hour or even just to go back there again because its just so awesome! Go do it..

If Teddy Roosevelt had a favorite spot in Phoenix, it'd be Rough Rider. The drinks? Incredible. The Spanish Caravan is smoky and smooth, while the Nouveau Sangaree is dangerously good--like, "I'll take another" good. The food stole the show. The Roasted Duck Breast was so perfect--tender with crispy skin--that I ordered it twice. No regrets. The Brussels Sprouts (no bacon jam) were crispy, caramelized, and impossible to stop eating. And don't skip the Parker House Rolls--buttery, soft, and downright heavenly with honey butter. Rough Rider delivers on vibes, drinks, and food that'll have you planning your next visit before you leave. 5 stars, 2 ducks, and one very happy diner.

Once again, fantastic experience. Perfect place to relax with friends and have a good meal in this summer heat. It's dimly lit and nice and cool. The decor is exquisite, and there are plenty of seating options. We were greeted & seated right away; and they take reservations through Open Table. The service was great, Pop F. was very friendly and attentive. The food is so delicious, a great combination of decadence and comfort. Don't sleep on the chicken entree... it literally is divine. The crab dip is delicious, but the cauliflower app and the roasted potatoes with crispy artichokes are top notch. They absolutely need to improve their dessert menu. The selections aren't great, but also not why I go there. The food is prepared well, seasoned perfectly, and definitely gets you to come back. I have been here 4 or 5 times in the last year, and it is always good. Seriously, try the chicken entree, you will thank me later. And RR... please never take this off the menu, it is TOO GOOD! So comforting like a warm hug from grandma, and so delicious.

One of the best restaurants I've been to! The decor and ambience is exquisite. My server, Hilary, was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! Before I would even think to ask for more water she was already pouring. The bartender made me a custom cream soda which was sooo good. Could not recommend this place enough!!!

Ambiance and food was great! Very cozy speak easy vibe. Unfortunately the service was a bit slow of our liking however it did seem there was only one waitress working the tables.

As the self-appointed king of speakeasies, it is my duty to share another review about, well, you guessed it, a speakeasy. I had the pleasure of checking out Rough Rider on a Wednesday evening for dinner. Located in Roosevelt Row, I parked on the street for free. I didn't do a lot of research on how to find the speakeasy, but it ended up being a fun scavenger hunt of sorts. Ambiance (5/5): I'm a stickler for a speakeasy being a true speakeasy...meaning it should be hidden. As you walk down the street, there's a graphic on the wall instructing you to keep walking and enter the building through the side door. Once inside, by the elevator, there's a sign telling you to take the middle elevator down to the basement. Once you do, you'll arrive at the speakeasy. Upon entering, I was immediately impressed with the old school, classic charm of Rough Rider. The speakeasy is Teddy Roosevelt-themed, who's nickname was Rough Rider. You'll see various decor with his face on it, he has a cocktail named after him, etc. I sat at a nice booth. The speakeasy is also larger than I expected, so there are a good number of seats. Service (4.5/5): Our waiter was friendly and gave helpful suggestions. My only complaint? He could have stopped by a little more frequently. Outside of that, an excellent service experience. Food (5/5): I judge speakeasies by their drinks, but I was here for dinner, too. The menu features shareable small plates, seafood, and a small list of entrees. I outdid myself and went with one cocktail shrimp, which is served on ice with your classic dipping sauce. From there, I had the crab dib which features crab, celery, onions, and scallions. It's served with Noble bread. And finally, the duck confit, served with a root puree and blackberries. Delicious all-around. The crab dip was served warm in a skillet. The bread was fresh and crispy. With the crab dip smeared on top, it was a great starter. Crab is one of my favorite seafoods, so no surprise there. I also don't often pass on an opportunity to have duck. While not a large portion size, the duck drumstick had a crispy skin interior and succulent gamey interior. The sweetness of the blackberries complimented the duck perfectly. I was also excited to try a root puree for the first time which had a slight taste of oysters. Very cool. Drinks (5/5): Now to the good stuff. Speakeasies are known for elevated cocktails. Which is certainly what you'll find here. The drink menu is split up into five sections. Since I had to catch them all, I had a drink from each category. These included the Hello, Mr. President (served with a champagne side car), a cocktail that incorporated fresh jam, a tiki-style cocktail, and more. Each and every cocktail was unique and well made. The presentation was nice, though not over the top. I enjoyed each one, and the differences between them all. Rough Rider is an awesome experience, but it won't come cheap. You're going to pay a premium, but the food and drinks are quality. I think it's safe to say that this speakeasy is one of my top 5 favorite (probably top 3) that I have experienced in Phoenix so far.

This place has such a legit setup. Very historical. Service was ok. Our server disappeared after our first drink and bartender took care of 2nd drink. Our group found drinks a little sweet. Very unique menu. Not disappointed with anything we tried. Definitely recommend checking it out

Went for Birthday dinner with my husband and could not have been happier with the pick. We did have a reservation which I'd say is a good idea. We had no issues finding like others mentioned however parking was crazy $40 (we did go on first Fridays so that's that!) The service was personalized and fantastic. Inside was cozy and dark woods with a cool vibe. Food was delish! The smoked salmon was a cold dip and good salmon flavor. The duck breast was cooked to perfection and the grits were equally as good. My husband had Pork Chop and was impressed how well it was cooked. We were too full for dessert but the cocktails were tasty!

If I could give this place 6 stars, I would! I read reviews prior to coming here and noticed so many people raved about the food. I was skeptical because could that many people really love the food THAT much? I kept my expectations in check so that I wouldn't be disappointed, but OH MY GOSH, everyone was right! The food is AMAZING!! My husband and I like EVERYTHING that we got. We got the: - Fried Cauliflower: my husband said this was a 10/10 - Baked Crab Dip: warm and comforting - Seasonal Fish: The fish was trout at the time and was very similar to salmon. I loved it! And the spinach Florentine sauce was so good. - Bone-In Pork Chop: My husband finished the whole plate. Super tender pork and the apple slaw was very refreshing. I've been recommending this place to everyone since we went. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is so cool (love that you specifically have to take the middle elevator down), and we had such a great time here. I can't wait to come back here again!

This is a in the basement speakeasy. We made reservations for 10 PM. The atmosphere was low lighting, almost like a romantic late night vibe . we ordered the salmon dip which I really enjoyed but my friends didn't , they enjoyed the crab dip which was warm. The salmon dip was more like package tuna when you mix mayo on it. I did not enjoy the crab dip. I got the chicken breast, which just came in a white sauce with artichokes inside that was tasty as the sauce was creamy, but I was not blown out the water by it. My drink of choice was not very impressive as well. This will be a place that I may have to give another try and try some other things on the menu

The old fashion was amazing. Our server was awesome great attitude easy going. Great place to drink and chat.

So Good!! Our server was fantastic even though it was a busy time we never were left wondering where she was or waiting on her. Ordered a couple appetizers for the table and their craft cocktail selection was extensive. Everyone was able to find something they wanted without it being overly sweet

This was our first time coming to rough rider and it was everything we were expecting and more. When we arrived we got into the elevator to the basement and were transported back in time. The speakeasy was so cool, and we came for happy hour so we got some of their drinks and a charcuterie board. The service was amazing, and the server made sure to give us great recommendations when struggling to choose.

Great speakeasy, the place has that probation feel to it. The drinks were well crafted the charcuterie board was done very well. Now our server was amazing she offered great recommendations and they hit perfect.

Amazing good!! So much flavor. The oyster mignonette is green apple and challots. Absolutely amazing and unique flavor mixes. Excellent spice combination. Favorable, amazing pasta, basil...if you love pasta like I do....this is heaven!!! Excellent service from a very attentive wait staff. Friendly and accommodating. Took out a group of 5 for a customer dinner. My only negative comment is the place is so loud. I couldn't even hear the person sitting next to me. I wouldn't recommend it for clients. Take your loud and crazy friends instead!!! Highly recommend for the good!! Great Chef!!!

I'm guessing it was a bad day to begin with when my gal and I went out to eat at the Rough Rider. It was a very cool day and down right cold in the restaurant and way too dark. I ordered Duck and I'm not sure if it was duck I was eating, didn't taste like it and I couldn't see it. I'm not going to go on because I really can't say anything good except the service was fair. I don't like writing bad reviews, so I've said enough .

This is the perfect spot for a date night!! You take the elevator down in the ten-o-one building and you will be instantly impressed. The servers are extremely friendly and give great suggestions! We both enjoyed our cocktails and the crab dip is out of this world! Seriously if you get one thing only it has to be that! I will continue to come back this place is great :)

I absolutely adore coming to Rough Rider. From the moment you take the center elevator down, it transports you to another time. If you're looking for a more upscale girls night, date night or boujee dinner please don't skip Rough Rider! The food is absolutely phenomenal, the drinks are not loaded with sugar but packed with flavors, and the servers will always give you the best suggestions! They are attentive and know their menu!

This place is so cool. Tucked in the basement. Things come alive once the elevator doors open. We didn't have a reservation and they seated us at the bar. Looked like they had plenty of open tables. Food was creative and on point. Cocktails were intricate and were a cornucopia of flavor. Make sure to visit this place when in the area.

One of our absolute favorites. We often bring family here when they come into town for the experience. The vibe of the place is so fun. It's set in the late 19th and the decor is right on point. The last time we went we got to sit at the bar which definitely gave a different view of the place too, we loved it. The service was great from the host to our waitress. We got great drink recommendations and our sober family member requested a mocktail that the bartender curated perfectly! The staff was attentive and we never felt forgotten. Food and drinks came out quickly. We didn't have much hopes for the food being anything too amazing since it's a cocktail bar but boy were we wrong. The charcuterie board was what's expected of one for the most part but the potatoes and artichokes were so delicious! The chicken was probably one of the best chicken dishes I've had since moving out here. The meat was juicy, tender and you didn't even need a knife to cut it. The s'mores cake was delicious and not too sweet. And we loved that they had a vegan dessert option for our guest with a dairy allergy. We will definitely continue to come back.

Several of my Ladi friends and I decided to go out and have dinner while our husbands were at a fraternity meeting. I chose this place because I have been wanting to come here for a long time. Let me begin by saying that the ambience is wonderful. It's kind of hard to find. You have to use the middle elevator in a tall building in order to go down into the basement and go to the restaurant. The service was wonderful. But now let's talk about the food and some of the mishaps. We ordered the muscles and the crab dip for appetizers. Both of those were good. However, it's where the wheels fell off for the entrées. I had the duck breast over grits. The grits were not hot and the duck was just OK. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. But I was a little disappointed that my grits were cold along with the greens that were served with the dish. Two of my girlfriends order the salmon. I don't know if the chef accidentally spilled a lot of salt into the dish or if it was on purpose. Either way it was way too salty and in not edible. We sent it back and they graciously gave us two more dishes. But when I tell you that it was overly salty, it was overly salty. I cook a lot and I like salt, but I couldn't even eat that because it was entirely too salty. I'm willing to give it another try. I just definitely will not get the duck again. The drinks were very good though! And the decor is amazing.

I went with a friend who wanted to check out this underground restaurant, and I'm so glad we did! The place is absolutely beautiful, and the food was delicious from start to finish. Such a unique experience--I'd definitely come back again.

Parking was difficult to find and deal with. The music was so loud you couldn't have a conversation without yelling. The speakeasy theme was more hipster than anything. The food was inconsistent. We both had the duck - one was good, the other was completely burnt on the outside and raw on the inside. Soda comes in a can and there's no refills. Service was barely okay, the server seemed annoyed. The bartenders spent most of their time standing together chatting. The prices are way too high for what you get.

Finally made plans and secured reservations to do a double date on a Saturday night and it was a swinging pendulum with the food & drinks... The ambiance, vibe, and staff are definitely top-notch here. If you don't know you gotta enter via the elevator going downstairs to access the restaurant. We were quickly seated and glazed over the menu trying to find the ideal cocktail to keep the night moving. Is it pricey, yes, so like any place you expect the best with food, drinks, and service. The mishaps for our night overshadowed the goodness. The best dish we had was the crab dip and cauliflower everything about the flavors & the sear on the food was just perfect. For dinner, I went with the ribeye steak cooked medium. The sear was great however, the piece of meat I had was extremely fatty so as I was cutting through it seemed like every piece had unwanted fat on it. Fat is key, but this was a bit too much as it was overpowering the steak. The Meatballs that were shared were good but didn't really stand out to be as stellar as they were sold. The one item everyone talks about is the Bone in Pork Chop so my buddy got that and I managed to have a few bites. Most importantly with the pork chop, gotta eat it immediately when it comes out as it got super tough towards the end. This place definitely met expectations from the Vibe & experience. Not all the food was stellar and missed the mark as far as expectations. Similar thing happened with my cocktail, as we ended up sending two cocktails back that night. One was extremely tart and nonalcoholic while the other was very strong and sat like cough syrup. I do appreciate our server Taylor as she was engaging, fun, and knew how to help us make pics from food to drinks. Looking forward to returning to try more food & drinks & hoping for less issues.

This place is really cool. Reservations recommended (maybe required?). It really gives speakeasy vibes, especially since it's underground and you take an elevator to get there! Staff were all very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I think Andrew took care of us and he was great! We only ordered drinks, but food looked and smelled incredible! We tried three different drinks. The Don't Harsh My Mallow was my favorite!! The Port to Port was great, the bourbon and port were balanced perfectly. Infinite Playlist (happy hour menu) was so refreshing and delicious.

First time visiting and will be back! Chris was our server and was very sweet and helpful as we navigated the cocktail menu which was fun and tasty. As recommended by others get the fried cauliflower and my husband enjoyed the pork chop served cut away from the bone. I had the blackened duck breast which was cooked medium and delicious!

came here to grab some drinks, and had a great experience! definitely on the pricier side, and i don't love that you can't substitute any ingredients on the drinks menu, but i did really enjoy the drinks that i tried. i think the ambiance inside the restaurant is nice, and we were able to walk in and get seated immediately on a thursday night. the service was great, and we had a very pleasant evening. i would come back to try some of the food for sure!

Ummmm it was ok super pricey and the food was just ok! You are definitely paying for the vibes!! It's like a sultry romantic speakeasy! Our waitress was Olivia and she was really nice and knowledgeable about the menu. I tried the duck leg quarter...I have never had duck before it was cool tasted like rich chicken lol the oysters were 4 dollars each and shrimp 4.50 both really fresh.... The cocktail sauce was homemade really good but super spicy!! The salad was fresh lettuce was crisp but the Caesar dressing was very mustardy... all in all it was a cute date night and I'd go again if someone else is paying... lol

I came here in NYE 2022 and made a reservation and my party was put on a bar stood by the seafood. We were incredibly disappointed and frustrated but I liked the vibes so I wanted to try it again. For NYE 2024 my boyfriend and I came and we made reservations over the phone in November. I wasn't given an option about seating and when we got there there wasn't a table and we got seated at the bar. We were super frustrated because we had been planning this and it was not what we wanted. Along with that my boyfriend got stuck in the elevator. The only thing that saved the day was the bartender Brandon. He was so kind and considerate and just made us feel seen through the frustration and I cannot thank him enough. I hope he gets to see this review. He was so kind to get us complimentary drinks and was so attentive throughout the night. The food was almost pretty amazing. We shared the roast chicken and the meat and cheese board and it was incredible. So thank you Brandon for saving NYE.

NOT a speakeasy IMO but still a great atmosphere with a great cocktail menu. Alive but not too busy (here on a Friday night). I can't attest to the food as we only ordered drinks. Prices are high, but reasonable considering the concept.

My friend and I were so overjoyed to see the selection of spirits and liquors on the wall. We sat at the bar which was beautiful and spacious. We ate the Lamb Ragout with Pappardelle for our entree and the potatoes and artichokes for our side. Both were phenomenal. There was a variety of oysters to choose from which we took advantage of. Also, the cocktails were equally delicious. The bartenders were knowledgeable and friendly. We can't wait to come back to try more menu items.