.Best Old Speakeasy

The Townhouse Bar & Grill doesn’t look like much from the outside. But cut it some slack — it was an old speakeasy after all. The Townhouse, with its shack-like exterior, has been an Emeryville institution since before the tiny city’s big box store days — back when Emeryville was known for its secret card rooms, hidden salons, scattered brothels, (and, yes, a noticeable lack of churches). Anyhow, its long and illustrious history makes the Townhouse Bar & Grill so much cooler than some new tavern. And it’s surprisingly stylish on the inside, and has a lovely patio for outdoor dining. More importantly, it’s not one of those places that’s all atmosphere and good drinks — the food is actually quite good, too. We’re partial to the fabulous chicken salad.