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Wilmington, DE

North America

United States

# Overview
Simmer Down is a speakeasy-style restaurant located at 519 N Market St, Wilmington, DE. Nestled beneath The Quoin Hotel, this unique venue offers a blend of sophistication and comfort, reminiscent of a bygone era. Guests can enjoy a curated cocktail menu in an inviting atmosphere, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors. The establishment is known for its elegant decor, featuring Victorian elements and a cozy ambiance, perfect for intimate gatherings or casual drinks.

## History
Simmer Down occupies a space that was once a bank vault, reflecting its rich history. The Quoin Hotel, above it, has transformed from a financial institution to a stylish boutique hotel and restaurant. The speakeasy concept pays homage to the Prohibition era, where hidden bars thrived in secrecy. Over the years, Simmer Down has evolved into a cultural hotspot, attracting a diverse clientele and becoming a staple in Wilmington's nightlife. The venue's design includes a vaulted brick ceiling and murals by local artists, enhancing its artistic appeal.

## Community
Simmer Down actively engages with the Wilmington community, hosting various events and collaborating with local artists. Partnerships with nearby businesses and organizations help foster a vibrant atmosphere. The establishment is committed to sustainability, sourcing ingredients locally when possible. Regular patrons appreciate the sense of community and the welcoming environment that Simmer Down provides, making it a favorite gathering place.

## Offerings
Simmer Down specializes in craft cocktails, offering a menu that includes both classic and original concoctions. The bar features a cozy seating area, with a limited capacity for intimate gatherings. While food options are not available at the speakeasy, guests often visit before or after dining at The Quoin or other nearby establishments. The ambiance is enhanced by carefully curated decor, including Persian-style rugs and comfortable seating arrangements, making it an ideal spot for relaxation.

## Pros and Cons
**Strengths:** Simmer Down is praised for its unique atmosphere, excellent cocktail selection, and attentive service. Many reviews highlight the skill of the bartenders and the inviting decor. The intimate setting is perfect for small groups or romantic outings.

**Weaknesses:** Some guests have reported issues with service, particularly regarding ID checks and wait times. The lack of food options has also been a point of contention, as patrons often wish to enjoy light bites with their drinks. Pricing is noted to be on the higher side, comparable to NYC establishments.

## Location & Nearby
Located in the heart of Wilmington, Simmer Down is easily accessible and surrounded by a vibrant commercial area. The neighborhood features a mix of dining, shopping, and entertainment options, making it a lively destination for both locals and tourists. The Quoin Hotel, above the speakeasy, adds to the allure, offering guests a unique stay in a historic setting. The area is rich in cultural insights, reflecting Wilmington's diverse community and history.

## Visit Simmer Down Today
Experience the charm of Simmer Down, where history meets modern elegance in Wilmington, DE. Enjoy expertly crafted cocktails in a stunning setting that pays homage to the past. Whether you're looking for a pre-dinner drink or a cozy spot to unwind, Simmer Down is a must-visit destination. Check out their offerings and immerse yourself in the vibrant community atmosphere. Plan your visit today!

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Simmer Down, a speakeasy located beneath The Quoin, simmers (of course) with the luxury that I associate with a bygone era. It's sophisticated, inviting, comfortable, & colorful without being garish. The bartender, Harrison, was truly spectacular. My first cocktail, the Sensitive Scotsman, was a simple yet elegant drink that paired excellently with my book. When I requested a mezcal margarita with a ****ton of salt for my next drink, he delivered exactly that. A barback stepped in to lend a hand near the end of my stay, but for the majority of the time I was there, Harrison was on his own. He served the entire speakeasy with charisma, professionalism, & efficiency. The other patrons at Simmer Down added to the ambience. There were many folks who seemed to be very important. Whether they actually were or not is another question entirely. I could admire the seriousness in which these tailored suits took themselves, & they added a theatrical glimmer to the experience. They were as much a part of the setting as the carefully curated interior. I thoroughly enjoyed my cocktails (& the entertainment that was the customer base) at Simmer Down & will certainly return the next time I'm in Wilmington.

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Cute little gem of place below The Quion Hotel & Restaurant. It is in the heart of Wilmington. Driving there was a little shady but once you are on Market Street you can sense you are in a commercial area. The building itself is unique on the outside and they do have valet parking if you are not able to find a parking spot. Once you enter, go left to the stairs and walk down and the speakeasy is to the left. There is an elevator as well. The restrooms are on the same level and well appointed/clean. The decor is very Victorian and lots of great murals on the wall. Seating was intimate and there was comfortable chairs/seats along with smaller tables for your drinks. There is a bar that seats around 8 people and the rest is lounge areas. We were able to get a reservation, but couldn't make a dinner reservation for The Quion as the online form would cancel the Simmer Down reservation each time we tried to book a reservation at both. We were greeted quickly. They do have craft cocktails and they are reasonably priced (don't forget you're also paying for the ambiance). We ordered a Martinez and the Jack Rose. Both were excellent. They even have spirit free drinks. The service and drinks were great. Didn't stay for a second drink as they don't have any food options and we wanted to eat so headed upstairs to the restaurant. Would have stayed for another round had they had a charcuterie board or another snack option. This is a great place to visit before/after visiting the restaurant above or any other establishment along Market Street. It's also worth a trip to go just there as well. They also have a boutique hotel that is part of the speakeasy/restaurant complex as well. Fun find.

5ffd09a3-bfd1-44c1-bed8-103095a5e9b4

Awesome speakeasy underneath the Quoins restaurant. Great ambience with a fire place to boot, and the bartenders made excellent drinks!

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I've rarely been to such a beautiful bar. Honestly, it's stunning. Simmer Down is located in the basement of the Quoin Hotel. The Quoin Hotel used to be a bank, so Simmer Down is actually located in the space that was once the bank's vault. It has a vaulted brick ceiling (for fire protection from its time as a bank vault), a room-long mural (hand-drawn by a local artist), a wooden bar, banquette seating, Persian-style rugs, and more. It's a showstopper. But the bar program lives up to the decor and ambiance. The menu is broken up into Classics vs Originals and Stirred + Boozy vs Shaken + Refreshing. My husband (per his usual order) ordered two of their cocktail, Widows Kiss (rye, Calvados, Chartreuse, Benedictine, Angostura, and orange bitters), which he loved. I had their martini service - two vodka martinis (one in the martini glass and one in a sidecar carafe) with "all the fixins" (olives, cocktail onion, etc.), which I loved. Their menu is big and varied enough to have something for anyone who loves cocktails. They opened up a bit late on Saturday when we were there, but it's worth waiting for. A truly special cocktail bar.

a0a44d2d-7204-4c3a-a070-40831f36336c

Great drinks. Great bartenders. Great atmosphere. Great music. Not the cheapest spot--a bit NYC priced, but you get the experience.

ef8c18f0-d1f6-49f4-b859-d96f9d59590f

Went there today. Not open on Sundays. Signs posted outside and hours not correctly updated online.

d91c676b-21d4-4972-8644-efc688511a3e

My cousin was visiting from out of town. We decided to meet up here for a few drinks and a light bite. When we arrived our server and coworkers weren't busy and were just standing around and had to wait 10 minutes before he even decided to greet us. My cousin and I ordered drinks. The server asked for our IDs, he checked mine first. When he checked her immediately started making faces and laughing and told her "there's no way this is real, it expires in 2064". She explained that in Arizona our IDs don't expire for a very long time, but it's a real ID. I asked if they had a scanner, but they said they didn't. He then took it over to his coworkers and began showing her ID to not only his coworkers, not even the manager, but also CUSTOMERS at the bar. They were laughing and trying to bend and break it. She went over to ask for my ID and the bartender told me to "step away from the bar" and tried to start a scene. The manager came over after and was very dismissive and told her he couldn't accept my ID because of the "expiration date can't be real" and told us to leave. Not only was the entire issue avoidable by looking up and seeing AZ licenses have a long expiration date, but showing her PERSONAL INFORMATION is unacceptable, not even to mention the laughing and looking over at our table. I hope this reaches the owner of establishment because all parties have no business working in the service industry. Will continue to share this horrible experience on all platforms.

9598c088-5366-40ae-bec6-0ee2a93e0d57

I came here 7/25 from out of state in Arizona to visit my family in Delaware. My cousin took me to this hotel bar, we went upstairs then she took me downstairs to the Simmer Down Bar. The worker with curly hair in a pony tail asked front ID and gave it a strange look right off the bat and told me that my ID was fake because it expires in 2064. I'm currently 26 years old and the state of Arizona drivers licenses don't expire for a long time. You can simply search this up but I unfortunately did not have service in the speakeasy since it's basically down underground. The worker became extremely rude when I told him I'm 26 years old and I've never had a problem with my drivers license before. He took my drivers license to the bar and showed another worker and started talking loudly with him and told literal customers at the bar about the situation and was repeatedly my birth year loudly! They all started laughing and he said out of his mouth "ITS SO FLIMSY TOO LIKE I COULD BREAK IT". I found this VERY disrespectful and DANGEROUS. If I was actually underage is it smart to tell random men at a bar this? It was no one's business. The worker was highly disrespectful and I was so confused because I wasn't rude to him at all and I even questioned my own DL at one point like dang is it a typo? He came back to the table and said "yeah I can't accept this it doesn't make any sense how the expiration date is 2064. I'm going to give you a favor and give this back to you" ummm how did I get in the state of Delaware with a fake DL then?! I need my DL back I would have had to call the police. I went to the bar after he walked away and I asked him if he can have his supervisor come down. He rudely said "yeah i texted him but im going to need you to step away from the bar" the supervisor came down and looked at my DL and he was also uneducated on out of state DLS. I told the supervisor about the way his worker handled the situation and was giving my information out and he seemed to not really even care much and said "yeah well this is a 21 and up establishment so you can't be here" I left with my cousin. We looked up the Drivers license laws in AZ and sure enough if you're born in my year your DL is valid up to 65 years old. We ended up at kid Shelleens where the service was 10/10! The bartender at this excellent establishment said they should have a drivers license checker anyway to check my DL not sure why they didn't. Overall I'm super disappointed and I have emailed and tried to reach out to someone higher up about this to discuss how both the worker and the supervisor handled this and how the worker put me in danger by speaking about my information to random men.

Discover Simmer Down in Wilmington, DE—your go-to restaurant for flavorful, authentic dishes. Dive into a memorable dining experience today!

Simmer Down Restaurant in Wilmington, DE | Cozy Dining Atmosphere

Wilmington

Simmer Down

Delaware

Experience the luxury and ambiance of Simmer Down, a Wilmington speakeasy offering sophisticated cocktails, Victorian decor, and a unique underground vibe.

Simmer Down Wilmington: Cozy Speakeasy & Craft Cocktails

Discover the charm of Simmer Down, Wilmington's underground bar with artistic murals, vintage ambiance, and artisanal drinks. Book your unforgettable night now.

Simmer Down Wilmington: Unique Basement Bar & Lounge Experience

Visit Simmer Down, a historic vault bar in Wilmington featuring a stunning vaulted ceiling, artistic murals, and a curated cocktail menu that delights every palate.

Simmer Down Menu Overview

Signature Dishes

Beverages and Pairings

Dietary Options

Chef Recommendations

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