Nestled in the southwest Las Vegas area is a speakeasy much like the ones that reigned here during the ’20s, but with a twist… candles! Speakeasy Candle Co. is an innovative new business that allows visitors to create their own candles inspired by cocktails you might find in bars throughout Las Vegas.
Alisha Kay, founder and owner, guides you through a journey of chandlery. A self-proclaimed mixologist, Kay first began the craft as a hobby. For years, she would give homemade candles as gifts, tailoring the scents to whom she was gifting.
“If they were from Atlanta, I’d give them a Peach Bellini scent or Crisp Apple for my New York friends,” Alisha said. “When a gift is personal and intentional, it resonates more, and people will actually want to use it.” Candles are a centerpiece in so many homes, and burning even just once can transport you to anywhere its scent might remind you of.”
Upon arrival, guests will find themselves in a modern yet warm shop. You will be introduced to the collections of candles displayed individually within a glass capsule. You can spend time indulging in the unique, robust, and deep aromas each candle presents. Making your way down the variety of options to choose from will place you in front of a seemingly normal wall, but with a push, you’ll enter a hidden speakeasy bar — a bar where you’ll learn and create your very own candle.
Brick walls, spotlights, and dazzling decorations transport you into the world once known for its clandestine bars. Influenced by the determination and independence of women during the Prohibition era, speakeasies became a gathering space not only for gentlemen. With that same notion, anyone is welcome to think outside of the box of ordinary mixology and explore the art of chandlery here.
Not only did the atmosphere of bars change during the early 1900s — so did the drinks! Sweeter drinks became a high demand once women became more prevalent in the speakeasy scene, so bartenders had to get creative with their infusions. The candles you learn to create will contain ingredients similar to their beverage counterpart.
Speakeasy Candle Co. has scents that fall into their own collections, like The Happy Hour Collection and The Craft Cocktail Collection. Both incorporate signature scents that correlate to the drinks they’re inspired from. For autumn, there are a couple of new scents to create and take home to set the mood, like the Pumpkin Spice Martini and the Pecan Pie Martini. For holiday flavors, cuddle up with a cup of hot cocoa and ignite some new scents like the Vanilla Truffle Eggnog and Salted Caramel Martini.
Each candle lists the fragrance notes used to build the scent, like orange, clove, and bergamot, while the back label shows the drink recipe that inspired it. Despite the clear indication of what goes into each candle, Alisha encourages everyone to take in the aroma and decide for themselves whether it’s the right one for their occasion. With so many preconceived notions of what a gin and tonic tastes like, people are surprised to find that the scent of the same name is actually quite fresh and clean.
“Fragrance and flavor have been doing a dance for quite some time,” Alisha said. “Smell the candle… try not to look at the scent names first. What does your nose say?”
The candles are created from organic ingredients with coconut and soy-based blends of wax. Setting boundaries and staying transparent with its suppliers, Speakeasy Candle Co. makes sure they use certified ingredients and are the ingredients they’re promised. The company has also tested its candles’ burn times compared to synthetic candles and has found their handcrafted organic candles burn much longer. Speakeasy Candle Co’s candles are clean and sustainable, so you can rest assured you and your loved ones won’t be inhaling any toxins that could affect the body.
Explore the history of speakeasies and book a chandlery session with friends and family for any celebration. Staying true to the idea of secrecy, join the VIP list to stay in the know about events, launches, and savings. And don’t worry. There are, of course, mobile bartenders in true speakeasy fashion and caterers available for hire. Whether it’s for a birthday, bachelorette party, or a corporate event, there is so much to enjoy creating something that you can take home and cherish every time you light the wick.