The Writer's Room in Tremont is a Members-Only Bar for People Who Appreciate Cocktails and Comradery

The Writer’s Room in Tremont Credit: Douglas Trattner

Unlike the private clubs of old, which used high barriers to entry as a way of separating the us from the them, many of today’s members-only businesses do so for more practical economic reasons. That’s what was behind Cory Hajde’s decision to open The Writer’s Room, an intimate cocktail lounge that resides over Cloak & Dagger in Tremont.

Given today’s economic climate, one that is especially harsh on small business owners, the membership-based model offers some relief in the form of a reliable income stream regardless of a single night’s till.

“I have nerves about where the cocktail industry is going because, you know, the impending recession; people don’t want to spend that kind of money,” Hajde explains. “But I also know that there are a lot of people who value cocktails, who value service and quality ingredients. If we have a select few people who pay a reasonable membership, we can swing it and have a successful business.”

Now entering its second year, The Writer’s Room is hitting its stride, boasting 135 members who commit to a monthly fee in return for the benefits. Those benefits include access to the 50-seat lounge, ability to bring non-member friends, store precious spirits in a private locker and carry a special key that unlocks the castle door.

Hajde, co-owner of Vessel Hospitality, the group behind Cloak & Dagger, Mahall’s, Pins & Needles, The Roxy, Rood Food and others, says that The Writer’s Room began as a way to further utilize the talents of bartender-partner Mitch Didion. Since Cloak opened in 2020, Didion has cultivated a loyal following for his distinctive cocktails. A few invites were dispatched to “die-hard Cloak & Dagger fans, people we knew would get what we were doing,” Hajde notes.

From that point on, the club has increased organically by word of mouth.

“We’ve grown quite a bit by referrals – and that’s the way we want it,” says Didion. “We want the people who are going to enjoy what we think we do best to be in the space. Cocktails are always going to be the main pole but even more important than that is the service, and with a small group, I know every single person who walks through the door by their first name, what they like to drink, their favorite cocktail.”

Unlike downstairs at Cloak & Dagger, where reservations are vital and enjoyment windows strictly followed, The Writer’s Room is a bit looser. Members call or text a private number to secure a last-minute spot or to book a date and time in the future.

The dim and loungey space features a main barroom and other nooks, each with its own identity and vibe. Throughout the space are subtle nods to Cloak & Dagger and its annals of previous menu books. Didion uses The Writer’s Room as a sort of incubator space for Cloak, where the best ideas seep through the floorboards and worm their way into future menus. Thus, the menu upstairs is a perpetual work in progress save for a handful of “locks,” beloved cocktails that maintain their spots. All are deeply original creations that arouse in the sipper delight, surprise and approval. The back of the menu lists Didion’s infusions, syrups and tinctures, distinctive flavors that are the backbone of the bar program. Guests use that list for inspiration or to build a cocktail from scratch.

As great social lubricants, these cocktails also spark conversation. The Writer’s Room is the type of place where guests are likely to bump into the same folks, resume previous conversations and form actual friendships. It’s these kinds of sociable people – not wealthy fat cats with inch-thick cigars wedged between their fingers – that Hajde hopes to attract and retain.

“Is this the kind of person who will be a longtime member?” he asks rhetorically. “Is this somebody that engages with the community, who is going to be bringing in guests that are good for this place? We care about making sure that everyone up here is having an eclectic good time but also is cultivating community.”

There is membership information on the website.