Go Beyond the Obvious {Keeping it Classy-fied}

An upscale cocktail bar hides within an Eastside dive

Words by Abby L. Johnson | Photos by Baptiste Despois

Shangri-La has long been a staple dive bar on the Eastside. Since its establishment in 2008, it has attracted a wide range of locals and become somewhat of a catch-all place—a spot for beers, pool, and a mixed drink or two. It’s the kind of space that’s a perfect starting point for a night of bar crawling or for winding down an evening out in a chilled-out environment. But despite its laid-back, no-frills, straightforward appearance, this bar has a secret.

Observant patrons might notice people seemingly disappearing from the patio. It’s not a supernatural phenomenon making people vanish but a hidden cocktail bar that beckons the adventurous with a curious green light.

If the green light is on, patrons can press the intercom to gain access to The Treasury, the speakeasy owned and operated by Shangri-La. Once they make it past the door, they’ll have to descend a flight of stairs to make their way into the bank-themed cocktail bar.

The modestly-sized space features cheeky décor elements (like a wall of faux safe deposit boxes), emerald green walls, and low lighting that make for a moody, yet playful, atmosphere. A sign with gold lettering hangs over the lone booth, reading ‘Ministry of Finance’ in Japanese and adding another layer to the air of mystery surrounding the hidden lounge.

The Treasury opened its secret doors in April 2022. The Shangri-La folks own the whole building, which includes what is now The Treasury space. Rather than just knock out a wall and incorporate the extra square footage into Shangri-La, they wanted to venture into something new. “It was decided that [a speakeasy] just seemed like a more interesting concept…[The Treasury] can be its own thing with its own identity that is another reason for people to come here,” adds bar manager Antonio Matta.
The latest iteration of their cocktail menu features a whopping 36 cocktails—a significant leap from the previous menu’s 14 classic drinks. “I’m dumb. I like to do dumb things to myself,” jokes Antonio. The new menu features a good mix of riffs on traditional libations and house cocktails made especially for The Treasury by Antonio and the bartending team. The menu also embraces the growing NA movement with a selection of six mocktails.

Compared to its sister bar, the atmosphere is a bit more intimate and restrained but never dull. The bartenders select eclectic playlists to match the vibe of the crowd on a given day, adding a personal touch to every visit.

Contact:
1016 E 6th St.
@the_treasury_atx