People who have never been to downtown Bainbridge sometimes picture a sleepy Southern square with a couple of restaurants and not much else after dark. Then they find The Mailroom. We built something down here that feels genuinely unexpected for southwest Georgia, and we hear that every weekend from guests who wander in for the first time.
The Mailroom Speakeasy at Old Post Office offers a unique bar experience in Bainbridge with an underground setting, historic architecture, craft cocktails, live jazz, and a separate cigar lounge. Guests can enjoy a vintage inspired atmosphere, private event options, food delivery, and a distinctive downtown destination beneath the historic building.
The Mailroom Speakeasy sits beneath the Old Post Office, a landmark 1914 federal building on the square, and it runs as its own world entirely. Dark wood finishes, candlelit tables, vintage telephones, period cocktails shaken with theatrical flair, and a jazz band that draws people from well outside Bainbridge. If you have been looking for a bar experience that does not feel like anywhere else in the region, this is where you end up.
What Makes The Mailroom a Destination, Not Just a Bar
People who live near Bainbridge already know downtown has changed. The Mailroom is a big reason why. Tucked beneath the historic Old Post Office, this underground speakeasy pulls guests in with velvet-draped walls, candlelit tables, and craft cocktails shaken tableside. It feels nothing like anything else in southwest Georgia.
The Space Itself Does Most of the Talking
The building’s history is doing real work here. Old Post Office was built in 1914, inaugurated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and its renovation followed U.S. Department of the Interior requirements, preserving nearly all of the original surviving architectural elements. The basement space where The Mailroom lives draws its name directly from that legacy. Repurposed materials and original architectural details pay tribute to the post office’s past while modern finishes create something that feels genuinely luxe rather than simply old.
Guests enter through a back entrance, which is half the experience. The Mailroom Speakeasy is around the back of the building, as our directions note, and that approach sets the mood before anyone has ordered their first drink. Inside, guests find velvet-draped surfaces, carefully chosen background music, and glassware and bar tools chosen to evoke the elegance of the 1930s. The sense of discovery is real. No two nights are quite the same, and regulars tell us they notice something new every visit.
The Cocktail Program Is Genuinely Crafted
Our bartenders are part mixologist, part showman. Every cocktail is made with small-batch spirits, house-made infusions, and locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. The seasonal menu shifts regularly, and off-menu requests are welcomed; our team loves a creative challenge.
A few drinks that draw repeat orders: the Smoked Old Fashioned, served under a glass cloche with a theatrical smoke presentation; the Lavender Gin Fizz, made with fresh botanicals and house-infused spirits; and the Espresso Martini, built on cold brew from a local roastery with premium vodka. Those are anchors, but the list runs deep. The full bar also includes carefully selected wines and craft beers, and our non-alcoholic options are built with the same care as the spirit-forward cocktails.
For guests curious about the full spirit range, our bar carries everything from house pours to Blanton’s, Whistlepig 12 Year, Macallan 15 Year, and Dom Pérignon. It’s a proper bar, not a limited well.
Cigar Lounge: Arlo’s Lounge
One thing many guests do not realize until they are already inside: we have a dedicated, well-ventilated cigar lounge, separate from the main bar. Named Arlo’s Lounge, it is built for cigar enthusiasts and operates entirely apart from the rest of the space, so the main bar and the rest of The Mailroom do not carry any smoke.
If you are a cigar smoker, the selection runs from approachable mid-body options to full-bodied premiums like the Oliva Serie V, Plasencia Alma Fuerte, and LFD Double Maduro. It is a genuinely rare amenity in this part of the country and one we are quietly proud of.
Monthly Jazz Nights and Live Entertainment
Monthly, the Old Post Office hosts the True Blue band, led by guitarist Steven Williamson, a Bainbridge native described as world-renowned. These are not background music nights. The jazz performances draw locals and visitors from across the region and pair naturally with the speakeasy setting. Check the events calendar for current dates, and follow the Facebook page for the most recent updates.
On Georgia and Florida college football Saturdays, you might catch a game on in Arlo’s Lounge. The Mailroom itself stays focused on music and conversation, the way a speakeasy should.
Private Events in the Speakeasy
The Mailroom can be reserved for private gatherings. The space is suited for birthdays, engagement parties, corporate mixers, and intimate rehearsal dinners. Private booking includes use of the bar, a custom cocktail, and a small plates menu, and assistance with entertainment booking and decor planning. For bachelorette groups who want a private setting without booking the entire venue, Mr. Penny’s Room sits inside the speakeasy and can be reserved on its own. The rest of the bar stays open to the public, so the night keeps its usual energy while your group has its own space.
We have hosted Gatsby-style parties, themed cocktail evenings, and everything in between. Reach out to Cathy Ware, our event manager, to discuss what you have in mind.
Food, Delivered
Guests do not need to leave to eat. The American, a founding downtown restaurant, delivers its full menu directly to tables at The Mailroom. On any given Friday jazz night, it is not unusual to see guests working through a barrel-cut filet or Gulf lump crab cakes between sets. It makes for an easy, complete evening without leaving the building.
Plan Your Visit
The Mailroom is not trying to be everything to everyone. It is one specific thing done exceptionally well: an underground speakeasy with genuine craft behind the bar, live jazz that sets the right mood, and a sense of place that southwest Georgia simply does not have anywhere else. Once you find it, you tend to come back.
Come in any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening and let The Mailroom speak for itself. Whether you’re planning a private event or just stopping in for a craft cocktail, we’d love to have you. Reach Cathy Ware at 229-515-0583, email oldpostoffice.ga@gmail.com, or fill out the contact form at oldpostofficega.com.
FAQs
What are The Mailroom’s hours?
The Mailroom Speakeasy is open Thursday, 5 to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday, 5 to 11 PM. Closed Sunday through Wednesday.
Is the speakeasy hard to find?
Intentionally, a little. The entrance is around the back of the Old Post Office building. Look for the signs. The address is 100 S. West Street, Bainbridge, GA 39817.
Can I reserve the speakeasy for a private event?
Yes. The Mailroom is available for private bookings, including birthdays, engagement parties, corporate mixers, and rehearsal dinners. Contact Cathy Ware at 229-515-0583 or oldpostoffice.ga@gmail.com to discuss your event.
Does the cigar lounge affect the rest of the bar?
No. Arlo’s Lounge is a separate, well-ventilated space. The main bar and speakeasy do not carry cigar smoke.