Speakeasy News
Speakeasy breezes into Plano at new bar featuring famed mixologist cocktails

The Wilfred will do classic cocktails but with mixology techniques.
Plano finally gets on board with the buzzy speakeasy trend, with a new place called The Wilfred, opening at Lakeside Market, at 4017 Preston Rd. #530.
The concept is from Ryan Oruch, chef and co-owner of Plano’s Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill, which not coincidentally is located right next door. According to a release, it'll open in April.
Oruch grew up working at Sea Breeze, founded by his father Rick in 2007.
Two years ago, Ryan moved to the Bishop Arts district, a hotbed of food trends, and became inspired to export some of its cocktail speakeasy-style magic to West Plano.
The Wilfred will be a traditional speakeasy, and you know what that means: a fun (though ultimately easy) obstacle to entry that goes beyond simply walking into a front door.
The speakeasy trend first hit Dallas in 2014 and continues to prosper with recent newcomers such as Red Phone Booth in The Colony. Speakeasy hallmarks include a hidden location, an entrance that's invisible or hard to spot, with a secret password or other special info required to gain entry.
Entry to The Wilfred will be in the waiting area at Sea Breeze Fish Market & Grill with a keypad requiring a code for entry — found on The Wilfred’s social media channels or on the bottom of Sea Breeze receipts.
It'll have a main bar area plus two small lounges, boasting the atmosphere of a neighborhood cocktail lounge with sophisticated décor including a hand-crafted bar and artistic bar back, chandeliers, deep burgundy banquettes, and purple brocade wallpaper.
Crafted by two mixology rockstars — Ryan Payne and Gabe Sanchez — the menu will include pre-Prohibition cocktails with innovative techniques, served in cut crystal glassware.
One special cocktail called “The Freddy,” will be served as a shot, with proceeds going to nonprofits, and is named for Oruch's dog. Awww.
"The Wilfred, aka Freddy, is named for my dog who I adopted 11 years ago and has been part of my restaurant journey the whole time," Oruch says.