Spirits at 300 Derby now open – formerly Roosevelt’s
Written by Mr. Salem on February 5th, 2008 15 Comments
Spirits at 300 Derby (formerly Roosevelt’s)
300 Derby Street
Update: Spirits closed their doors in May 2009 and has reopened as Murphys.
One time Salem hot spot Roosevelt’s, after a few owners, much speculation, and many months of being closed, has reopened with a new name – Spirit’s.
We went in for drinks and appetizers the other night and our first impression is that Spirits has potential. The restaurant / bar is brand spanking new but the overall feel of the place is dark and not too inviting. Exposed dark wood beams, and a stone back wall give off a cavern vibe. There is a large stone fireplace opposite the bar in the dining room. The dining room holds a good number of rich wood tables set on a mix of dark stained wood and cream colored tile. Everything was kept very clean (including the spacious bathroom facilities). We were told the second floor space is set to be a function area.
The horse shoe shaped bar can easily fit 25+ people and was full from about 10pm on. We found the bartenders to be attentive and affable. One stand out feature of the aptly named Spirit’s is their exceptional top shelf liquor selection. Someone obviously with knowledge has taken the time to stock the bar with a wide variety of high quality spirits at reasonable prices.
While we did not order dinner, we did try the spinach dip and the nachos. Neither were very impressive. The dip was heavy on the cream and light on the spinach while the nachos were uninspiring with some cheese and veggies dumped on a heap of chips.
We are, however, looking forward to the summer at Spirit’s. They have by far the largest outdoor patio around which should make for some serious summer fun.
As was the case with Fresh Taste of Asia we will give Spirits some time to work out the kinks and go back in a month or two.
Atmosphere: C+
Food: C
Drinks: A
Staff: B
Overall: C+
15 Responses to “Spirits at 300 Derby now open – formerly Roosevelt’s”
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I stopped in there the other night, too. I thought the place was nice enough, but I agree that they need a little time to work the kinks out. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the outdoor seating when the warm weather comes.
Cave like bars are great. Can’t wait to check it out.
I totally disagree with your description. The rich woods, crystal chandeliers and the glowing fireplace make Spirits very cozy and inviting. If you visited the Roosevelts, then you must know this is a vast improvement! That was a cave and a pit!!!
I had dinner there with two friends and the food was great – we all enjoyed our entrees and definitely will go back. As you say, let them work out the kinks and it will be a great place for dinner and drinks now and in the summer!
Lucy,
I guess on mans cave is another mans palace.
In comparison with the old Roosevelt’s, Spirits is an improvement, however they still have a way to go.
Hopefully they will get their upstairs running with good live music. Either way I’ll go for dinner in a while and review the food once they have had time to smooth things out.
Thanks.
In an area overcrowded with college aged bud and shot joints, Spirits is a welcome, and long overdue, addition to the neighborhood. I guess aesthetics are definitely in the eye of the beholder, but like others have mentioned above I found the interior to be a DRAMATIC improvement over the dump that was Roosevelts. Liquor selection is top notch and priced as it should be – which hopefully will be enough to keep the punks and hoodrats over at O’neils where they belong. Welcome Spirits, I’d love to see 2 or 3 more places just like it replace the tired Rockafellas, the confused Edgewater and the misplaced O’neils.
This place was a dive and still is. Too Much going on and the food is not good at all.There have been so many owners and now I can see why they don’t keep the same owner. Very dark and dreary in there.The outdoor patio might be nice but when you open up a place your sure need to advertise it and to be quite frank I didn’t even know this place was opening . We will see how long it takes for the Salem kids get into fights at this place . Note to self Do not order the Nachos .
I found the atmosphere was great. Dramatic and elegant combined with the exposed stone wall, real fireplace, beams and antique floors. Staff was very attentive. Food was ok but give it time. Its definitely a place for adults and not the college crowd. Glad to see that.
We have been back a few times for drinks and on Friday and Saturday nights, it looks like most of the patrons are 20 somethings. They may be young but they know where the good liquor is. Still holding off on having dinner there until everything is ironed out.
This place needs some work !!!! The food is not good at all. Not very clean either. The salads were terrible. Where do they get there bread. Not impressed at all. I do agree they have some kinks and really need to iron them out. I have seen better staff(waiters) and (waitresses) I miss the old Rossevelts …..
Many people share Matt’s point of view. I love to go there for drinks and to listen to the music. They seem to be having an identity crisis, I’m looking forward to them figuring things out.
In response to Jing, .i would just like to point out that your very narrow minded description of Oneills being filled with “punks and hoodrats” is a very ignorant statement. you put a collared shirt and pair of slacks on the same patrons and all the sudden they’re upstanding citizens worthy of a Grand Marnier at the Ritz Carlton….. DONT judge a book by its cover, Just because a place is fun and not uptight doesn’t mean its “hood”. Every place that serves alcohol will have its arguments and scuffles. Ive worked in upscale trendy martini lounges that have had worse problems than anywhere in Salem…..
I do give a lot of respect to Sprits at 300 Derby, for trying something different. I hope it works…..
My wife and I decided to try Spirits last weekend and will not be going back. Service was ok – no complaints there. The decor is pretty odd. They have stocked their windowless dining space with reject hotel restaurant furniture. The chairs have matching embroidered seats and back pads that remind me of the furniture in the breakfast room at the Marriot/Days Inn/Sheraton. Those chintzy chandeliers just don’t go with the heft of the walls and oaken beams. The random colored spotlights on the walls are straight out of a college dorm room. The place has really cool bones and a good decorator could make something with the granite walls and wooden beams on the ground floor – maybe turn that into a lounge/club and put the restaurant upstairs where the windows are? The food was mostly fried awfulness, the bread was stale, and they butchered my lobster roll by covering it with chopped red onion (WTF?) and a single BLOP of mayonnaise right in the middle of the previously-frozen lobster meat. I give it 6 months.
And DJ Cee Block – I feel you. O’Neills after 10 is not my particular scene, but I’m glad you’re there just the same.
Jeff,
They are starting to use the upstairs for functions now and I don’t think they have plans to retro fit it to be a dining area. Unfortunately your take on dinner there is echoed here and elsewhere, too bad you didn’t just stop by for a cocktail.
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Since their soft opening in February, there have definitely been many improvements made. Not only is the food menu much more diverse and accommodating, but their new drink menu – and their “beach pail rum punch” – is definitely worth checking out. Many of you are quick to judge Spirits, but as someone who has worked in and opened a few restaurants, I know what a challenge it truly is. The waitstaff is always very attentive and friendly, as well as open for constructive criticism. As for the decor, I find it very cozy and inviting. It is great to have a new place in town where you can enjoy live music on the weekends. I have no doubt that this place is going to be a new hot spot; it just needs to continue doing what they’re doing and the people will come. Cheers!