Vibey MS Coast speakeasy is Southern Living’s restaurant of the month for February. Here’s why
Tropical prints, gothic arches and house music. All descriptors of a speakeasy on the Mississippi Coast that’s garnered national awards and recognition.
In February, Gulfport’s vibey Siren Social Club was featured as Southern Living’s restaurant of the month. Establishments the category spotlights are editor-chosen standouts across the South that reflect “exceptional dining, thoughtful design and a distinctive influence on community,” according to the magazine.
“We’re incredibly honored to be named Restaurant of the Month by Southern Living! What a moment for our little coastal corner,” restaurant staff said in a Feb. 13 post on Facebook.
Owned by husband-and-wife duo Austin and Tresse Sumrall, Siren Social Club opened inside the Hotel Vela in October 2024 as a “speakeasy-style restaurant and bar,” according to the website. It offers “refined European cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails.”
Here’s what makes the establishment stand out, according to Southern Living.
Unique drinks
While the menu is anchored by tropical cocktails, the ingredients are unlike any other, according to Southern Living. Austin Sumrall, the speakeasy’s chef and co-owner, told the magazine his drink of choice is the Olive and Pearl, a dirty martini made with anchovy-infused Chopin vodka.
The surprising dinner menu
At Siren Social Club, diners can choose between Southern seafood, handmade pasta, and delicate European options.
Garlic shrimp, onion soup, 1000 layer potatoes are among the offerings under the hot section while foie grass mousse, crab ravigote and beef tartare are listed under the cold section.
“The dinner menu takes a dramatic detour. Instead of dabbling in Caribbean-inspired dishes you might expect to complement beachy drinks, Sumrall has crafted a ‘Continental’ menu for Siren, drawing on his classical French training from culinary school,” writes food journalist Josh Miller.
The right vibe
From the playful drink menu and special dinner options to the music and design of the establishment, the ambiance of Siren Social Club pulls the whole experience together, according to Southern Living.
What other awards has Siren Social Club won?
In over a year of doing business on the Mississippi Coast, Siren Social Club has won several impressive awards and nominations, including the following:
- Best New Restaurants in America, 2025 by Esquire
- Recommended in the 2025 Michelin guide
- 2026 “Best Chef: South” semifinalist, James Beard Foundation
