What is the most interesting thing you’ve done as a local guide?
The most interesting thing I have done as a local guide was discovering a speakeasy bar in my town. Who knew that speakeasies were a thing? I certainly did not and thought places like that we’re mostly just seen on television. I run a local guide Instagram page in my town that specializes in featuring small businesses to help them get recognized by the community. One day I posted about a photowalk meet-up to try to reach out to other local guides in my community to come and join the meet-up. Two business owners privately messaged me to see if I could write reviews for their businesses which the response was that Local Guides don’t just write reviews because they are asked to via text and explained that that we have to visit your business, receive service then give you feedback. However, one of those messages sparked my interest because the manager kindly asked if the local guides meet-up group could stop by their place and and checkout their business. The meet up was not a success because no one showed up. So I used google to find information about this place but there wasn’t a lot of information or reviews about it. In fact, there was only one review about this place on Googlemaps. I sent my location to my family and friends and the speakeasy adventure began. The place is located within a very busy and popular theater in my town so I did not feel unsafe but had to be careful because I was alone. Finding parking was easy but finding the entrance to the place was another story. When I finally made it to the building, I had to go down a set of old staircase that was squeaky and narrow leading to a basement, not being sure of what awaits down there. When I made it down there, I was amazed at what was in front of my eyes, the Undercroft Social Club
The manager, the owner, and a few other visitors were down there. They welcomed me and immediately made me feel comfortable. The manager briefly gave me tour, the history of the place and what the business entails today.
The Undercroft is not a bar but a membership social club that was once a bakery. The owners kept most of what was there when this place was a bakery in (1917-1972) and incorporated that into what this place looks like today. What an interesting and unique business, I wouldn’t have known or found this place if I was not a local guide.