This new Wynwood sandwich shop is hiding a secret speakeasy behind a walk-in cooler

Step into the walk-in cooler at the back of The Mad Butcher gourmet sandwich shop in Wynwood, and you’ll get more than cold.

You’ll get lit.

Only if you want to get lit, of course. No one will force you. But the opportunity is there for the taking. This mild-mannered sandwich shop feeds the hungry by day, but when the sun goes down, that walk-in cooler is the equivalent of a velvet rope. Enter and find yourself in a 1970s-themed secret speakeasy with orange velvet banquettes and a beautifully lit bar, a disco ball twinkling overhead.

Kim Wood of Norman’s, Coco Coig of Le Chick and their partner Victor Palacios dreamed up The Mad Butcher, which is now in its soft opening phase but planning its grand opening in early April. As different nightlife options expand in Wynwood — think of the listening bar Dante’s HiFi, which opened last fall — a laid-back gourmet sandwich shop/secret opulent disco hybrid seemed like a winning idea.

“We have spent many years in the hospitality industry and have had the privilege to watch its evolution in Miami,” Wood explains. “It’s also why we know what’s missing. The Mad Butcher is meant to fill a gap as a triple-threat offering that marries delicious food, great drinks, and thoughtful music curation complete with a posh spot to enjoy them.”

The sandwich part of the equation has indoor and outdoor seating, offering twists on popular sandwiches ranging from $15-$18, including a brisket Reuben, fried chicken and Cuban sandwiches, Bánh Mì, Philly cheesesteak, choripan and a vegetarian shawarma. There’s even a triple-cheese truffle sandwich. For dessert, you can get soft-serve ice cream or a slab of pie.

The club, which will feature music and dancing, is all about the cocktails. Director of beverage Andi Cruzatti has put together the menu. Expect specialty drinks like La Vie en Rose (rose-infused Ketel One vodka, Lindeman’s Framboise Raspberry Beer Reduction, lime, and two kinds of bitters) and Catch Me If You Can (Amass gin, simple syrup, lime, Ume Plum Liqueur Float and torched rosemary).

If you need a little bit of a kick to stay alert in the wee hours, try the That’s Amore, which is made with Selva Ray Chocolate Rum, Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Fernet Branca Liqueur and Panther Nitro Espresso Coffee.

The Mad Butcher

Where: 2300 NW Second Ave., Miami

Hours: The Sandwich Shop is open 11-2:30 a.m. daily; The Club is open 9 p.m.-late Wednesday-Saturday

Grand opening party: April 6

More information: madbutcher.com; contact reservations@madbutcher.com for questions about the lounge or to reserve a table

This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 6:00 AM.