Reviews for de Kelder Speakeasy in Pella, IA
One of my favorite places to recommend to visitors! The owners are the definition of Iowa Nice!!
As a bar nerd, when I heard tell of a speakeasy opening in Pella, I was a little giddy. And thus far, de Kelder has proven that... they have what it takes to execute successfully. That said, I think there is a little room for improvement. We'll start withthe drinks. Overall, I think de Kelder's drink menu is solid. The Mary Pickford, Peach Spritzer, and the Blackberry Ginger Crushseem to be hot commodities among my friends. I even tried one of their mocktails the other night and it was delicious. Their OldFashioned however, leaves little to be desired. They either don't use bitters, or don't use enough to be distinctive. The beermenu has a little something for everyone, which is nice. The small plates at de Kelder are surprisingly well thought out andprepared. I haven't eaten much during my visits, but what I have tried I've enjoyed. The Beef Tenderloin Crostini wasfantastic. Now to my biggest gripe ? it's just not a speakeasy. I know I'm being picky here, but having a website, postedhours, and even signage out front takes away from the mystique that is associated with underground bars. The best speakeasys flyunder the radar and business spreads via word-of-mouth. I also wouldn't mind if they ditched some of the cliché décor in favorof more images of historic Pella. Much of what they have on the walls now looks like it came from the speakeasy isle at HobbyLobby. Overall, I'm not disappointed with de Kelder. While not a genuine speakeasy, I'm sure advertising allows them tocircumvent the headache of organic growth that many speakeasys have to deal with. 7.2/10. Edit #1: This weekend I had a verypleasant experience at de Kelder. Their Summer Sangria special was exceptional, as was their take on a Pimm's Cup. The bartenderwas also very accommodating when I had a unique request. Updating to 7.9/10. Read more
Exceptional service. The appetizers were fabulous. The drinks were so fun and unique. We had coffee roasted by the owner's dad,... cheesecake made by the owner's aunt, and so many other tasty treats! All 4 of us that went agreed we will be back asap! Read more
Great atmosphere, small little hideaway small plates that are big on flavor, great drinks. Be sure to reserve a table as they... are always in demand Read more
Wish I could leave a zero star. We experienced a very unwelcoming atmosphere at the speakeasy tonight. And then group of 30 were... kicked out without any explanation. Will not return. And will tell our friends as well. Read more
Fun atmosphere and really, really good food. Tried the dirty margarita and it may be the best drink I have ever had. We will... definitely be back. Highly recommend. Read more
So wonderful! Make your reservation early and prepare for a great experience. Cocktails expertly prepared and delicious small... plates. Cannot wait for a full menu and many future fond memories. Read more
Excellent atmosphere, it had a post prohibition decor theme that was very unique, it has its own sort of style that can be... appealing to some people. The food was pretty good too, it can be a bit pricey but it was worth the price in my opinion. Tastedand looked good, and was prepared relatively quickly. The best part was easily the cheesecake, it is pretty good, bestcheesecake in Pella I've tried so far, would definitely go back just for that. Read more