When Morris Sheppard proclaimed, "There is as much chance of repealing the eighteenth amendment as there is for a hummingbird to fly to the planet Mars with the Washington Monument tied to its tail!" in 1930, he clearly had something wrong. When Prohibition ended, speakeasies gave way to rowdy bars, and the country has never looked back. Now, the trend towards upscale venues with complicated drink menus has led to the opening of some exclusive watering holes - in fact, they've almost come back to being speakeasies.
One such place is in Wilmington - above the bustling Trolley Square restaurants near Catherine Rooney's is the CR Hummingbird to Mars - a quiet bar upstairs that must be accessed from outside, and with a password.
That's right - a password. If you don't have an answer for the voice on the other end of the intercom when they ask for it, you aren't getting in. Recent passwords have included "hazy memories", "city wide" and "holiday cheer", but you'll only be granted entry with a current password. You've really got to be in the know to make it into this secret Delaware bar, but once you've stepped inside, you'll realize exactly why it's worth the trouble.
When you walk into CR Hummingbird to Mars, you really do step back in time.
The speakeasy is decked out with Victorian furniture, and well dressed businessfolk ready to start their evening off right. It's the little things that make the entire bar truly feel vintange - like, you know, the antique bathtub filled with champagne bottles. Wow.
Enjoy feeling like you're hanging out in the 1930s, but without the worry of the cops breaking up the night.
The crowd really makes this place special - be sure to dress to the 9's, or at least show up in tidy business attire..
On almost every night, live music fills the air.
Live jazz is common, just like you'd expect to find in a Chicago speakeasy, sitting next to Al Capone. Acoustic songwriters take the stage, too, and regular pianists take up residencies. To see the most recent event calendar, keep an eye on their Facebook page, linked below.
On special nights, like a recent Bourbon Tasting Night, the aroma of gourmet food is all you'll notice.
The elegant place settings are soon taken over by delicious, one-of-a-kind dishes that pair perfectly with the featured cocktails.
Even the desserts will make you feel pampered - CR's Hummingbird to Mars takes absolutely no shortcuts.
Of course, where CR Hummingbird to Mars truly shines is in its seasonal rotating cocktail list.
The unbelievable mixologists will make you drinks you'll never forget, with muddled cherries and lemon twists and a smoothness that will blow your taste buds away.Remember, you'll need a password to get in the joint, so be sure to keep an eye on their social media:their Facebook Page tends to be up to date with current passwords.
House mixologists Lo Skarda and Chris Resler are among the most talented bartenders in the country, and they truly create art with ingredients such as fresh fruit puree, lemon-mango foam, and elderflower liquer. You'll never have a drink quite like this anywhere else.
CR's Hummingbird to Mars keeps particular hours - right now, you sneak in for a drink Wednesday-Saturday starting at 5:00 PM. Or you can just walk by, because if the antique lantern outside the door is lit, they’re open.
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