The Conspiracy

The Conspiracy is the speakeasy-style cocktail lounge on West 5th Street in Uptown. The lounge is dark and spacious, with two bars, plenty of seating, and a room that does not feel crowded even when an event is running. The entrance was once unmarked, and the bar has since been made easier to find. Cocktails are solid without being showy, and the kitchen turns out food that most cocktail bars would not attempt. The bar suits a group that wants to talk, and the bar works just as well for a quiet drink at the bar on a weeknight.

What to know

• The buffalo chicken mac and cheese is worth ordering, and regulars take the leftovers home.
• Live music runs on Friday nights.
• A server sometimes doubles as the DJ, which sets the tone for the evening.
• Drinks are priced above what they deliver.
• The lounge is closed on Sunday and Monday.