Find The Watson Speakeasy in Cuyahoga Falls, if you can

Shhh. The Watson Speakeasy is opening Friday in Cuyahoga Falls but we can't tell you where.

The new venue's website, www.watsonspeakeasy.com, teases "find us if you can." It features a swinging "Edison bulb" and the words "Cocktails reinvented" and "Coming to Cuyahoga Falls soon."

The speakeasy's Instagram (watson_speakeasy) and Facebook (The Watson Speakeasy) accounts and website will offer more clues this week and beyond, said Joel Testa, co-owner with his wife, Cassie. The phone number on its Facebook page is 330-801-0009.

"We want people to literally have to find it," Testa said Monday. "I think for some period of time, we're not gonna tell people where it is."

Details on the speakeasy location are expected to spread by word of mouth.

St. Patrick's Day in Akron:When is Akron's St. Patrick's Day Parade? Here's a hint − it's not on St. Patrick's Day

"People will post pictures of it and the entrance, and at some point, the public is going to tell their own friends how to find it," Testa said.

He and wife Cassie own Testa Dining Group, whose properties include The Watson Speakeasy and Butcher and Sprout in the Falls. They've created a 26-seat speakeasy that's dark and elegant, evoking the Prohibition era while at the same time paying homage to inventors.

For subscribers:Cult Kitchen goes for casual brunch, glorified bar bites from scratch | Local Flavor

Of course, The Watson Speakeasy has a secret entrance.

Here's what Testa can tell you: "The vestibule leading into the speakeasy resembles an abandoned post office with a hidden entrance into the bar."

It's up to guests to find it.

"People love escape rooms, they love treasure hunts, they love hidden entrances and it's like part of the experience," Testa said.

Speakeasy name pays homage to inventor Thomas Watson

The Watson name is in homage to Thomas Watson, Alexander Graham Bell's partner who designed the first telephone with him in 1876, but never got the credit for the invention that Bell did.

Friday's opening date has special significance: exactly 147 years from the day Bell made his first phone call to Watson March 10, 1876, saying, "Mr. Watson, come here; I want to see you."

"That phone call has a lot to do with the concept of the whole bar," Testa said.

More from Testa:Landlord of Falls building leased to Mark Mickey says he's innocent until proven guilty

The theme honors the many inventors of the pre-Prohibition Gilded Age, including those from Ohio. From the 1860s to the 1890s, Testa learned, there were 10 times more inventions than in the previous 70 years.

Ohio's inventors include Testa's own maternal grandfather, Andrew P. Lecon, who was an engineer and inventor for Babcock & Wilcox. Testa's parents have one of his original patent sketches in their home office.

The Watson 'creates experience' with creative cocktails

The speakeasy's menus will also feature patent sketches of the lightbulb and original phone. Extending the theme, its signature cocktails will focus on creativity, illustrated by the tagline "cocktails reinvented."

The speakeasy, a craft cocktail and bourbon bar, will focus on creative plating, presentation and delivery of cocktails, creating an experience for guests.

"We want that to start the moment they see the cocktail being made," Testa said. "We want there to be drinks that you're getting served that you've never seen before."

The extensive drink menu includes everything from The Watson Old Fashioned — which features bourbon infused with vanilla bean, orange, all spice, cinchona bark, clove, cinnamon and house bitters — to absinthe, prepared in traditional fashion with sugar, water, fire and an absinthe fountain that serves four at a time.

The Watson also features non-alcoholic and holistic mocktail with adaptogens, such as the Golden Goose (Tumeric Tini). Light appetizers include charcuterie, hummus and vegetables and candied bacon.

Several desserts also will be offered, including the chef's crème brûlée and classic chocolate-peanut butter Hollywood Squares.

Decor inside The Watson

The Testas created their business concept and completed an interior design for The Watson in 45 days. The space has a black tin ceiling, stressed-wood floor, blue crushed velvet loveseat seating areas with curtains on either side, a brick accent wall, big mirrors and a striking painting of a dog in a red smoking jacket, holding a pipe.

Joel Testa has experience designing a speakeasy: He's one of the owners of Northside Speakeasy in Akron, which opened inside the Courtyard by Marriott in 2016 and has two hidden entrances.

"Northside Speakeasy has probably been one of my favorite creations to this day and it's doing very well," he said.

More:Craving a Reuben sandwich? Here are some places to try around Akron

The speakeasy will have seated guests only, to keep an intimate feel. Reservations won't be offered but a weekend wait list will be managed by the host. A remote wait system is expected to be announced later.

Opening day hours Friday will be from 4 to 11 p.m.

Weekly hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The speakeasy is closed Sundays and Mondays but is expected to eventually be open seven days a week.

Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Falls speakeasy The Watson wants you to find them