Flint speakeasy offers a hidden-gem nightlife experience

FLINT, Mich. — Tucked behind a bookshelf inside On the Bricks downtown, a hidden doorway leads guests into The X, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar reviving prohibition-era drinks and bringing a curated nightlife experience to the city.

Since relaunching in late June 2025, manager Brian Barnett has been reshaping the bar’s identity by returning it to its roots as a true prohibition-era speakeasy.

“We changed the décor and went back to a more prohibition-style cocktail program,” Barnett said. “If we’re going to be a speakeasy, we might as well go back to where speakeasies were invented.”

The relaunch focuses on classic cocktails from the 1920s, many of which Barnett says have been overlooked or improperly executed in modern bars. By reviving these drinks, he hopes to reintroduce guests to the artistry behind cocktail culture.

“We’re not just bartenders; we’re educators,” he said. “I want people to experience the way cocktails should be made and learn a little about why they exist.”

Barnett brings more than two decades of bartending experience to the role, including years managing bars in South Carolina before returning to Flint in 2018.

While traditional speakeasies were meant to stay secret, Barnett said The X embraces a balance between exclusivity and accessibility.

“It’s a little bit of a catch-22,” he said. “We want to keep that hidden-gem feeling, but we also want people to come in and enjoy themselves.”

The bar sees its busiest crowds later in the evening, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, serving as both a pre-dinner stop and a late-night destination for a nightcap.

Inside The X, the atmosphere is intimate, with dim lighting and black decor accented by touches of red. Eye-catching portraits line the walls while a fully stocked bar showcases premium liquor selections.

The goal for Barnett and his staff is to create a relaxed environment where guests feel comfortable whether they arrive alone, on a date or with friends.

“I want people to feel a chill vibe,” Barnett said. “Come as you are. Relax. Have fun. Let us take care of you.”

Looking ahead, The X plans to host more events, including themed evenings and potential bartending classes designed to teach guests about cocktail techniques and history.

Barnett sees the space as more than a bar as he hopes it contributes to the continued growth of downtown Flint’s hospitality scene.

“I’d like to see more care for the craft in the restaurant business,” he said. “Not just working for money, but passion for quality and hospitality.”

If he had to describe The X in a single word, Barnett said it would be simple.

“Vibe.” “It’s just a vibe,” he said. “Be yourself, and we’ll take good care of you.”

For more information about The X, visit its Facebook and Instagram pages. The bar is located at 555 Saginaw St., and is open Thursdays from 7-11 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.