The Story of Sal's Speakeasy in Ashland

#153 / News Extra

Sal’s Italian Eatery & Speakeasy, at 1624 Carter Ave. in Ashland, Ky, is the creation of entrepreneurs Billy and Christy Bare.

“I didn’t really have plans for what it was going to look like, but when we do research, we always go out of town to a few other places to get ideas,” Christy recently told Amanda Larch for a story in The Ironton Tribune.

As a result of that fine fact-finding, the Bares have built beautifully on a fascinating theme — 1920s, mobsters, jazz, servers in suspenders and newsboys hats — and they’ve even bought an antique car, christened “Miss Daisy,” to place out front of the restaurant.

“My husband bought the car from a lady, one of my mom’s friends,” Christy told Larch. “It was her husband’s who had passed away, and she was distraught that she was selling his car. Now, she’s probably our best customer. Everybody takes a picture with the car, so she couldn’t be happier that Miss Daisy is completely famous now.”

They had almost finished the renovations when the couple realized they needed the secret speakeasy door, because, well, “you can’t have a speakeasy without speakeasy doors,” she said.

The Bares created a bakery space up front with a nondescript door that conceals the bar. It’s all reminiscent of a hundred years ago.

“Speakeasies in the 1920s had a cover business, because alcohol was illegal,” Bare explains, “so you walk in and that’s Sal’s Bakery.”

Uh, But Who’s Sal?

Sal is the back story for the Bares’ eatery. Their character is based on a real-life 1920s mobster named Salvatore Maranzano, who briefly ruled in the New York underworld until a feud with rival mobster Lucky Luciano brought about his earthly retirement.

A picture of the real Sal hangs in the lobby, though the Bares admit they had to ad lib bit of restaurant history to make it tie in with the late, not-so-great Mr. Maranzano.

And About the Food…

Experienced chef Ben Van Horn brings the eats to the eatery.

“He’s got an extensive background at country clubs and with opening restaurants,” Christy says. “He came up with the entire menu, and we tweaked it a little bit. So far, the menu has been outstanding. People love the food.”

The dinner menu offers various Italian pasta dishes, including chicken marsala, fettuccine alfredo and lobster ravioli. Also there’s a selection of flatbreads including Italian Meat, margherita and gorgonzola. Other entrees include bone-in pork chop, ribeye steak and chicken bruschetta.

Come to downtown Ashland on Friday night and step back in time for dinner and assorted sing-along / dance-along tunes!