Step through Harvey’s Garden into intimate The Cabinet Room speakeasy
Initially, when The Cabinet Room opened in 2024 it was available only to Harvey's Garden's loyal customers. But upon popular request, the space opened to the public last year. Griffin Uribe Brown | Digital Managing Editor
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While Harvey’s Garden customers recognize the bar’s live music, spirited outdoor space and its signature beer, many may not realize that tucked behind Harvey’s main space is a speakeasy remnant of the 1800s.
In the back of Harvey’s, customers discover a bookshelf filled with old legislative books and a metal watering can painted with the word “PUSH” where The Cabinet Room lies.
“People love the entrance,” Alyssa Lampert, The Cabinet Room’s cocktail supervisor, said. “We get a lot of wow’s and there’s a lot of excited yelling. It’s very cute.”
The speakeasy’s name is inspired by the cabinet members of Harvey Baldwin, Syracuse’s first mayor, who served from 1848 to 1849. When The Cabinet Room opened in 2024, the space initially only invited Harvey’s loyal customers, owner Mike Greene said. However, last year, when the speakeasy began receiving more requests to visit the room, The Cabinet Room opened to the public.
Initially an extra storage space, the room was transformed into The Cabinet Room to offer a “unique twist” on Harvey Baldwin’s history, Greene said. The speakeasy is meant to provide a different feel than its parent bar. While Harvey’s is mostly beer-focused and features a bright and high-energy atmosphere, The Cabinet Room is a darker, moodier and cocktail-focused space, Greene said.
“We give our customers an alternative to the experience of Harvey’s. They can experience two really distinct experiences in one trip,” Greene said.
The Cabinet Room, whose name was inspired by Syracuse’s first mayor, Harvey Baldwin, is hidden behind bookshelves in Harvey’s Garden. The speakeasy focuses on cocktails and has a dimly-lit atmosphere compared to its parent. Griffin Uribe Brown | Digital Managing Editor
When designing the hidden bar, Greene wanted to create an atmosphere that transported customers to the 1800s. To achieve this, the speakeasy’s furniture is dark wood, the space is dimly lit and several paintings and books from the time period were brought from the Onondaga Historical Association.
Sticking to the “Cabinet” concept, The Cabinet Room previously featured a ballot-themed drink special, where customers could purchase two cocktails and vote on which one was better. The menu has since been adjusted to feature signature cocktails like the Old Fashioned and the standard Martini, Lampert said. Lampert also curates a rotating, seasonal menu for the speakeasy.
Creating an apt seasonal menu can take anywhere from a minute to weeks, Lampert said. She combines the season’s themes with trendy themes, constantly taking in input from customers and her staff. This winter’s seasonal menu features a Fig and Honey Old Fashioned and a Sugar Plum Fairy Martini.
Syracuse University graduate student Ava Wales ordered a Moscow Mule from The Cabinet Room’s standard menu on Saturday night. Coming from Wisconsin, where speakeasies are prominent, Wales was introduced to The Cabinet Room this summer by her classmate, Enzo Cupani.
The speakeasy at Harvey’s Garden, The Cabinet Room, is intended to transport customers back to the 1800s. To achieve this, the space is dimly lit, housed with dark wood furniture and art from the time period. Griffin Uribe Brown | Digital Managing Editor
Since discovering it, the pair have revisited The Cabinet Room several more times, slowly drawing more of their friends to the speakeasy. Though Cupani has visited other speakeasies, The Cabinet Room sticks out from the ones he visited.
“They set it up so well with the Murphy door and the bookshelf. It’s definitely super, super well hidden and a secret well kept. I think that kind of adds to the whole speakeasy vibe,” Cupani said.
On Saturday, Cupani and his friends, a group of 20, made their way to The Cabinet Room to spend time together outside of the classroom. While some customers, like Cupani and his friends, visited the speakeasy for some downtime, The Cabinet Room has also been used for private events — from a wedding reception to birthday parties.
For Greene, the best memory at The Cabinet Room was witnessing an engagement. It signified the reason why Greene started the speakeasy, he said. He said he is honored people want to have important moments there.
Before Syracuse became an official city in New York, Baldwin gave a speech about what he envisioned Syracuse would be. In his speech, Baldwin saw Syracuse covered in “hanging gardens.” Greene wanted to honor Baldwin’s vision through Harvey’s and The Cabinet Room.
“We thought it would be a fun fulfillment of his prophecy,” Greene said.
