Codex B.A.R

Pardon my French, this place is f*cking awesome!
Atmosphere was cozy, comfortable couches set in a bookstore themed restaurant. Food was made from scratch. The mac and cheese was probably the best I’ve ever had. Drinks rocked, attentive service. Need I say more?

Went here last night with a couple friends to check it out and get some drinks for my birthday. Luckily thanks to previous research I knew which door to go in (right next to Precision on Elm St, look for the chairs and phonograph inside). The staff were amazing and all incredibly friendly and the bar is really well put together and fits the theme so so well. Our party of 6 was served by Francis, who was very kind and had no issues explaining what anything was to us or providing drink recommendations. We all ended up sampling a bunch of the signature cocktails and I don’t think anyone hated anything, they were all delicious. We got some food as well which was all excellent. Hand cut French fries — unbelievable. Super super good.
I liked the entire atmosphere and feel of the place, the theme is relevant and the whole bar is done as such, it’s not just a couple of old chairs in a corner or anything. Great for large groups, there’s old fashioned couches and chairs for groups to all sit around tables and chat in. You can look around at all the books and read them while you’re there and I think even purchase them if you really like. The list goes on and on. Point is, this place is awesome. Sure; it’s a little expensive but it’s a lot of fun. Will definitely be back.

There’s a lot of unjustified dislike for this place on here. I went for the first time today and was so pleasantly surprised. The décor, drinks, menu, and ambience were all fantastic. Above all, the entire staff was extremely friendly. Everything could have been awful, but if the staff operated at that level, I’d still go back. They are unreal.
I have no complaints other than it’s a little hard to find. The sign is small, and the door you have to walk in doesn’t look like it’s for a bar. If it looks wrong, you’re probably in the right place.
Absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to go back.

Love this place and my hipster bullshit radar is finely tuned. You are not going to get a better craft cocktail in Nashua, in fact the next closest bar would be their sister bar, 815 in Manchester.
So if you want a proper drink this is the place to go. The food has been constantly evolving since they opened and they have really upped their game over the past few months.

Once you find the door (it looks as though you’re heading to family services), it’s a great place to have a drink. While kitschy (dusty books in the windows and on the shelves, prohibition notice on the front door, early century mismatched upholstered furniture and accessories, costumed employees), it’s fun.
Don’t let the negative hipster comments bother you. Do things you enjoy and make you happy.
The service was attentive. The cocktail selection was interesting – classics and retro style. And the Prosecco based cocktail I had was balanced and tasty – a perfect combination. We’ll be back to try the food.

Food is outrageously good! One of the best burgers I have ever had. Most of the food (pasta, ketchup, fries, ground beef, etc.) all done in house and the chefs are looking to do more. Local ingredients… Just awesome! Nice staff and cool atmosphere.

This restaurant offered excellent drinks, service and food in a very unique environment! It was a very fun night out! The shrimp scampi was quite good as was the desert. The menu is limited but I like that!

Just loved the authentic «Speakeasy» feel, from the secret panel entrance to the low lights, staff attire, period furniture and lighting. It was a complete experience! The drinks were delish thanks to recommendations from our server and the food was wonderful right down to dessert. Compliments to the Chef! We’ll be back!

Fun night out, even if the cat is out of the bag with Yankee Mag write up. Menu gives you the impression of run of the mill barfood, but food surprises you with its deliciousness. Another «secret» to savor.

Trips over itself trying to find its way to the hipster apocalypse. Tries too hard, almost taking the speakeasy almost too literally. Can’t really comment on the food, as it was just an app split by 4 people, and a decisive «nope» tells me the food may be more of an afterthought to the costumes. No seriously, there were a few employees wearing period dress. Just silly. Prohibition style speak easys can be fun and atmospheric. (Back Bar in Somerville. as an example). Looks like the password thing already went by the way, but some guy felt the need to explain the whole book thing to get in. They should have went the well lit classy route but went the dark and dingy route. I would not sit at the «barrel tables» again unless forced by gunpoint… barrels.theme.literal. All that was missing was a a guy dressed like All Capone slinging drinks.
I think the people that might enjoy this probably don’t understand its a style of food and drink captured by the essence of the times. Some places, think NYC, Chicago and Boston «get it», this is what you get when you don’t embrace the atmosphere but force it.

Drinks were excellent. The menu is limited! We had the hummus with pita chips. The oil used in the hummus could have had more flavor. The haddock chowder was good.
This is Worth visiting because their 1930’s environment is unique, fun and creative. There was a 40 minute wait for us. We left cell number and they texted when a table was available.

Very disappointed after my first trip here this past Saturday. We arrived at 10 pm and the doorman was very nice and said there would be a little bit of a wait, we had no problem with that but he returned after a minute and said he had two seats at the bar. It was fun walking through the «bookshelf» door and we made our way to our seats. We started to remove our jackets and one of the servers comes over and says «Did the doorman let you in?» and I said «Yes» and she replies «those seats were meant for someone else» and then walked away. Ok. so we stood there and waited then after a minute decided to sit down anyway. It took a few minutes for us to be greeted and given a menu. One of the bartenders asked what we wanted and we ordered a round of drinks. I had the French 75 and my husband had an Old Fashioned, very delicious. For our second round, we got recommendations from another bartender who was stationed by the service well and all of them were delicious (Corpse Revier II, Pink Lady, and Paper Plane). He was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were seated by the kitchen door and it was very distracting since the same server was almost kicking open the door each time. There were a few things that ruined the ambiance for me and for $ 10 – 11 a cocktail, I would expect better service.

Not the hip spot I would have expected. Maybe if all you are after is a few drinks, or maybe after you have had a few drinks the place gets better. We went with another couple on this past Sat. evening. My first cocktail was tasty, I just forget the name of it. My wife ordered a simple Tito’s with a wedge of lemon. They didn’t get that correct, seems lemons and limes are a bit to close to tell the difference. We ordered the cheese platter. For the price I expected some local cheeses with flavor. I could do better at Shaws or Market Basket. For dinner I ordered the fish/​chips. Fries were barely warm but very steamed from putting the oily fish on top. The fish was fresh and flaky, just not cooked at a high enough temp. or it was breaking down. My wife ordered a salad from the night’s special list. Not good, now how can you mess up a salad you ask? Spiced walnuts… nope, three olives, a big helping of less then crisp greens, no blue cheese. When she called the miss to our waiter (who was excellent) he said that the kitchen had run out of blue cheese (WTF). So he took the salad back and came out with a wedge of brie on top. My wife didn’t eat more then a few bites. They offered to take it back, but my wife said no needed as she was so disappointed.
With the exception of appetizers, which is the largest part of the menu (except for drinks) they could remove the entrée and salad section. Keep just sandwiches and appetizers and they would have a hit. The wife of my friend ordered the scampi… it was ok. Some sort of sprouts on top… didn’t do it for her. Very small portion for the price. The gentleman ordered the chicken tenders from the appetizer menu, and they were good. Codex needs to trim the menu, they don’t do dinner well, but as a place to have drinks and share a bite or two it would be great. My wife and I don’t see ourselves going back.

Great hidden gem! The bartender Jeremy is always great! Always coming up with new creative cocktails and truly showing off his craft. Rest of the staff is great too from what I’ve seen! If you can find it then check it out! But don’t tell everyone because I still want my bar stool.

This place is hip, especially if you are interested in stepping back in time. Be sure you drink Gin or Rye before you walk in this place, and that you are good with trying out new old cocktails from prohibition era. The place has a book store look to it, and you walk in through a side door with a hidden book in a bookshelf to «ring the bell» to get in. The music is old school roaring 20s. I like to sit at the bar and watch the bartenders work. Be careful, drinks are strong and sneak up on you.
Could be seen by some as too hipster, but in Nashua-​you don’t really find that very often. They don’t allow standing around, which is nice. There is a phone booth that has USB recharge stations in it. Lived in Chicago for 5 years, and happy there is finally a place to bring people to that is not just a pub, restaurant or tavern.
CON: Not as many different choices in different liquors as their sister bar in Manchester, which has some really outstanding choices, as well as many different NE local beers.