Entry No. 25 — the Atlanta file — filed under: speakeasy
Eleanor's
Push past what looks like a walk-in cooler door near the kitchen of the restaurant Muss & Turner's and you land in a softly lit bar of brass fixtures where regulars nurse Old Fashioneds — the room is named for Eleanor Seale, the company's actual controller.
The story
Before Muss & Turner's opened its doors in Smyrna in 2005, a woman named Eleanor Seale walked in asking for a job while finishing culinary school. She carried an unusual resume: she had previously run a doctor's office, an oil company, and a liquor store tucked under New York City's 59th Street Bridge. Founders Todd Mussman and Ryan Turner quickly realized her business grit was far more critical to their launch than her culinary skills, naming her company controller, confidant, and resident bourbon taster.
When the bistro expanded in 2012, the team built a secret back-room lounge disguised as a tribute to her. Designed by local firm ai3, the room hides behind a heavy stainless-steel walk-in cooler door near the kitchen. Beyond the door lies a dimly lit den of reclaimed wood, dark booths, brass fixtures, and a subtle voyeuristic flourish: one-way mirrors built into the bar back that let you secretly watch diners in the main restaurant while you drink.
What it's like
Walk straight into Muss & Turner's, head toward the back kitchen area, and pull open what looks like a commercial freezer door. You'll step into a winding, low-lit corridor lined with wine bottles before spilling out into a moody lounge anchored by warm candles and brass fixtures. You don't need a password, password, or secret code—you didn't hear it from us, but you just pull the metal handle or ask the host if Eleanor's is open. You can order the full Muss & Turner's lunch and dinner menu directly to your booth alongside craft Old Fashioneds, boilermakers, and deep wine picks. Weekend nights get packed fast, so drop in on a weeknight or show up early if you want to secure a booth without waiting.
The move: Dinner at Muss & Turner's, then find the cooler door for a nightcap in the room hidden behind it.
- 📍 Cumberland, Smyrna (Atlanta metro)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1675 Cumberland Pkwy SE, Suite 309, Smyrna, GA 30080 (inside Muss & Turner's)
Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Concord Woolen Mill — Pair a quiet daytime stroll through 19th-century Civil War mill ruins in Smyrna with an evening cocktail tucked behind a bistro's cooler door.
- Sope Creek Paper Mill Ruins — Combine a shaded hike around towering stone paper mill ruins along Sope Creek with a candlelit nightcap in Eleanor's moody lounge.
- The Goat Farm Arts Center — Contrast an afternoon wandering a sprawling 12-acre industrial ruin filled with artist studios with drinks in a refined, wood-paneled speakeasy.
Good to know
Do I need a secret password or reservation to get into Eleanor's?
No. There is no password, secret code, or membership required—just walk into Muss & Turner's and pull open the walk-in cooler door near the back.
Can you eat a full meal inside Eleanor's, or is it drinks only?
You can order the entire Muss & Turner's food menu inside Eleanor's for both lunch and dinner, alongside cocktail specials and elevated bar snacks.
Where is the hidden entrance located?
It is disguised as a stainless-steel commercial walk-in cooler door near the kitchen area inside Muss & Turner's bistro.
Who is Eleanor?
Eleanor Seale is Muss & Turner's real-life company controller, who ran an NYC liquor store under the 59th Street Bridge before joining the restaurant team in 2005.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: mussandturners.com · atlantacrest.com · atlantamagazine.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-19