Former jazz club venue reimaginedas speakeasy and social club
By Jake Spitzack | Staff Writer | September 2026The intimate venue nestled in the lower level of the Hamm Building that once hosted world class jazz musicians is now offering an eclectic mix of food and entertainment. You’ll find everything from dueling piano performances and conservative burlesque shows to book clubs and spoken word performances. Cribbage boards, chessboards and other games are also available.Meritage Underground is owned by Desta and Russell Klein, who have operated Meritage restaurant on the street level of the Hamm Building, 408 St. Peter St., for nearly 20 years. Until 2024, the space was home to a succession of jazz clubs: the Artist’s Quarters, Vieux Carre and KJ’s Hideaway. Despite having witnessed the three businesses fail in the basement space, they are eager to bring their new concept to life and continue refining it. It officially opened in August following minor cosmetic work and programming will ramp up in September.The dimly-lit 90-seat space features an art deco-style horseshoe bar and handpicked antique furniture from area homes. The menu includes European street food bites like shucked oysters, charcuterie and cheese, and sweet and savory crepes.The stage is no longer the centerpiece of the storied venue, although it will still be used. Programming at the Underground varies based on the day of the week. Wednesdays are for professional wine tastings, happy hour and piano karaoke, Thursdays are reserved for a 50-member social club and programming such as DJ’s, live podcasts and staged debates, and on Fridays the venue operates as The Pearl Speakeasy, welcoming one and all. Saturdays are slated for private events, and Sundays for artist residencies.“The only thing you can do is breathe life into a space and try to give it your perspective, and then it’s the people in the room who either carry it or they don’t,” said Desta. “I wanted to bring back this concept of ‘salon.’ In the 1910s and 1920s, cities like Vienna and Paris were great intellectual hubs…. These places both made famous the concept of salon culture. It’s people sitting around in a place, reading, writing and having conversations. It’s going to a place with the intention of interacting with people.”
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