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Our Story
Chef Vincent Alterio & his amazing team have a wildly successful catering company and private chef service on St. John in the US Virgin Islands. But Chef Vinny wanted a space where friends and visitors alike could come and enjoy his incredible flavors in an unpretentious setting with an amazing view of the sea. A place with the tastes of a Michelin Star but the feel of HOME.
And, in June of 2024, STJ Hideaway was born in Cruz Bay....
In October of 2024, the name was changed to STJ Speakeasy in response to a Cease & Desist order from Hull Bay Hideaway on St. Thomas. We legally owned the name STJ Hideaway but in order to avoid a long legal battle, we re-branded. But still, in this space, you can Hide Away...And Speak Easy!
Kick Back, Relax, HIDE AWAY...
Early in Chef Vinny's career, he gained inspiration and experience while working at a little spot in St. Charles, Illinois called Al Capone's Hideaway. An unassuming old home, built in 1917 on the banks of the Fox River, The Hideaway gained fame for being the stomping grounds of Al Capone and, at one point, a prohibition beer garden. One thing that stood the test of time at this historic establishment is this: It has always been famed for being a comfortable space where patrons will find great company and incredible food. And it is this foundation, paired with the speakeasy aspect of its history that was Chef Vinny's inspiration for STJ Hideaway (Now called STJ Speakeasy).
Tucked into an obscure corner of the Lumberyard Parking lot in Cruz Bay, you will find STJ Speakeasy. But, once you walk between the brightly painted forty-foot food truck and twenty-foot container that houses the bar, the jaw dropping view of the water and delicate nuances of the dining room will transport you to a different place. Here, visitors and locals alike will be treated as guests in our home. Here you will find a rotating menu filled with mouthwatering morsels made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Here you will find creative cocktails...Classics with an island twist. Here you will find a thoughtfully curated wine list; simple and approachable. Here you will find a wonderful crowd of people, delighted to be sharing in a unique dining experience in an even more unique space. Much like Al Capone did in another tucked away corner of the world, here you can kick back, relax, HIDE AWAY and SPEAK EASY.
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Our Space
Unpretentious, Nostalgic and Eclectic in the style of Love City.
Our Dining Room
Our open-air dining room comfortably seats up to 50 guests for dinner or up to 60 for a private event. Chic awnings protect guests from the sun or rain while a bamboo wall, the food truck (kitchen) and bar enclose the dining area, leaving to the imagination the space that lies beyond. In reality, it's a parking lot. But in this setting, you'll revel only in the twinkling string lights, unbelievable ambiance and jaw-dropping Caribbean sunset views.
Our Kitchen
The forty-foot kitchen truck serves as a back "wall" of the restaurant. But inside it is where the true STJ Speakeasy MAGIC happens. Carefully curated and constructed by Chef Vinny and his team, this custom kitchen is a dream machine, cranking out flavors that will shock the senses. Here, we filet our fresh fish. We sort our locally grown produce and fresh herbs. Here, we create our seasonal specials and develop new menu items for both our catering business and the diners joining us as beloved guests in our home at STJ Speakeasy. This kitchen is where fine dining meets the eclectically evolving food truck trend. Here we create our masterpieces for you to enjoy.
Our Bar
The twenty-foot container that houses our four-seat bar is eclectically decorated with beautiful murals of island flora by artist Lena Adeline Greenstone. But the true beauty in this bar is the repurposed bar top that once resided at the Quiet Mon Pub: A favored and timeless watering hole for industry employees that recently closed their doors after decades of serving the St. John community's late-night social needs.
View & Location
STJ Speakeasy brings more nostalgia to mind than just the Quiet Mon bar top. The restaurant is situated in the parking lot of the Lumberyard; an iconic St. John plaza that was destroyed forever by Hurricane Irma in 2017. In the Lumberyard, a beloved establishment, The Barefoot Cowboy, was frequented by residents and visitors alike. At STJ Speakeasy, just 100 feet from where Barefoot Cowboy served as a delicious BBQ restaurant, you'll take in the view from a similar nostalgic vantage point. Once again, enjoying delicious food and great company with an incredible sunset view.