Goodfellas Social Club set to open in Helena June 22
Published 12:43 pm Monday, June 18, 2018
Goodfellas Social Club Owner Eric Durrett is ready to serve up cold drinks to Helena locals. The grand opening for the business is Friday, June 22. (Reporter Photos/Keith McCoy)
Mike and Connie Faulkner enjoy a drink from owner Eric Durrett.
Rick Jones enjoys a cold drink and a cigar in one of the lounges available.
By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer
HELENA–One step inside the Goodfellas Social Club and time turns back to a period of prohibition, speakeasies and the Roaring Twenties.
It may not currently be the 1920s, but thanks to hard work and close attention to details, this prohibition themed speakeasy will be a new spot for those looking to unwind and socialize in a relaxing environment in the heart of Old Town Helena.
Featuring premium whiskey and spirits, vintage wines from around the world, 12 local and regional beers on tap, food and a separate House of Havana smoking lounge, Goodfellas Social Club will have something for everyone.
With the grand opening set for Friday, June 22, owner Eric Durrett explained what customers could expect once stepping inside the club.
“What we’ve set out for is to have a nice, classy place for people to come relax and that’s why we named it Goodfellas Social Club,” Durrett said. “It’s a place where people can socialize. We’re going to have some live acoustic music here but it’s not going to be place where you come in and you have to scream at the person sitting across the table from you. It’s not a full speakeasy with a secret door or anything, but we’re making it easy to get in. We’re not trying to push people away, but this will still have an exclusive feel to it.”
One thing that Durrett wanted to make clear is that Goodfellas Social Club is not a cigar bar. There will be no smoking allowed in the bar and entertainment area of the club, but those who enjoy smoking cigars will have the opportunity to walk to a back lounge that is sectioned off.
“We wanted to offer a place where if you want to come have a drink and not be around smoke, you have a place to do that,” Durrett said. “But, you can also go enjoy a good smoke and a premium cigar and relax.”
Another clarification Durrett made is that membership to Goodfellas is free. There is no upfront cost for customers wishing to enter the business, but there are several different “Social Clubs” members may join to receive discounts, invitations to special events and more.
One example of a social club is the cigar locker package. For an annual membership fee of $600, this will include one cedar humidor locker, name plaque and $500 in the members choice of fine cigars and premium access to the VIP lounge.
Some of the exclusive clubs also include a wine club featuring a Wine Down Wednesday package, whiskey club and more.
As for the business itself, Goodfellas Social Club features a Legacy Bar, a featured bar, a unique Main Street front deck overlooking Old Town Helena, a back deck, the House of Havana smoking lounge featuring an 1890s hand cut pine and cedar humidor, a Godfather club, a loft stage for entertainment and more.
The business also worked hard to preserve the history of the building by reclaiming the existing hand-cut pine and cedar wood to use for a variety of furnishings, leaving portions of the original exposed brick, all original wood floors and more.
Because the business has a retail license, customers will also have the ability to purchase bottles of wine or liquor at Goodfellas to take home with them.
Customers who may get hungry at the club will be able to choose between several sandwiches, sliders, sausage and meat trays, barbecue, vegetables, artisan cheeses, nachos and more.
Durrett was born and raised in Alabaster and has deep roots in Shelby County. He has been in the industry for the last couple of years and has been a cigar connoisseur for the last 25 years.
Durrett said he will offer premium cigars and high-end liquor and wine, in addition to the normal selections.
“We came up with the social club because that’s kind of how the speakeasies started back in the 1920s,” Durrett said. “People started gathering at places once prohibition took effect. We want this to be a place where you feel like you belong, and that’s what a social club is designed to be.”
The grand opening of Goodfellas Social Club will be Friday, June 22, from 4 p.m. to midnight.
Normal hours of operation will be Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Goodfellas Social Club is located on the second floor of 4091 Helena Road. There are two entrances to enter the building. One being a front entrance for access to the Social Club and the back entrance allows access to the House of Havana cigar lounge.
For more information on certain social club packages, information on events at the club and more, visit Facebook.com/Goodfellas-Social-Club-239411809951416/.
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