The Dark Horse Restaurant & Social Club

08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day. We miss everyone but especially your dogs that visited. Not a day goes by that we don’t run into a former guest who tells us how much they miss our little Social Club. We built an awesome home for everyone to meet and be social. Still hoping that it will continue in some way.

08/13/2026

Today is another example where Mark and Trish go out to dinner and run into Dark Horse customers. One celebrating his 80th birthday. Hugs and more hugs. We miss everyone. Our healing has been on going. We are improving but not as fast as we would like. Just know we want the Dark Horse to ride again, it just won’t happen for us for a while.

05/12/2026

What shall the building do next?!

04/17/2026

We miss seeing all of our Dark Horse friends. Today is Lyle’s birthday and he told me he wanted his Manhattan at the Dark Horse. That’s a wish I couldn’t fulfill. There’s things happening behind the scenes and your prayers are appreciated. Trish and I are still healing but getting stronger each day. I felt strong enough yesterday to mow the Cocktail lawn (on my riding mower). A little string trimmer work around the edges was about all I had in me. My mind says I can do it and my body doesn’t agree.
Cheers Lyle on your birthday. We miss you and Angela.

03/19/2026

Have a gift card? We ask that you mail them to The Dark Horse Social Club at PO Box 483 Defiance, OH 43512 by May 31, 2026. Please include your name and address and the balance amount if you know it. A phone number may be handy too! We will mail you back a reimbursement. So many of you lovely customers have included a self addressed, stamped envelope! Awwwhhhh. Not necesssary, but SO appreciated. You bless us daily with your fond memories and appreciation which makes all this bearable. We love you guys and miss you so much! Trish and Mark

03/17/2026

Bill is dressed in his Gansett St Paddy’s Day shirt Cheers

03/16/2026

Mark Speiser and Tricia Elaine Sanford-Speiser will be up at The Dark Horse Social today, Monday March 16th between 4 and 5 for anyone to pickup things they purchased online at www.thedarkhorsesocialclub.net/shop - we will do it again soon if you can't make today.

03/09/2026

Glassware is selling! If you'd like to snag any barware, get it soon! We're working on a local pickup day at the restaurant!

Shop Shop Clear All | Cheesecake | Entertainment | Filters Categories Clear Montucky Bar Mat $7.00 Moscow Mule Cups $5.00 Clear Hot Beverage Glass with Handle $5.00 Large Charcuterie or Flatbread Board $20.00 Mini Charcuterie Boards $10.00 Flight Board with Four Glasses $12.00 Pilsner Glasses $5.00....

03/07/2026

Mark Speiser and I agreed this morning that we would finally make this post. We've been putting it off, and here it is, 9:45 on Friday night and we're finally doing it. We've met with seven different people interested in either taking over the Dark Horse Social, or interested in putting in their own restaurant and nothing has moved forward. We've made the impossible decision to say goodbye to our loyal staff, our dear and delightful supporters and customers, and the restaurant concept we so wanted to see here in Defiance. I am updating the website this weekend with items for sale; Two Bandits Brewing Co. - Hicksville, OH and Narragansett B**r glasses, flight glasses and boards, our hot cocktail drink glasses, charcuterie/flatbread boards, a few left over T shirts, etc. Message us if you'd like to use your gift cards toward any merch. For refunds on gift cards, we ask that you mail them to us at PO Box 483 Defiance, OH 43512. Take a picture of your card (back) before mailing. We ask that you seek your refund by May 15, 2026 so we can wrap things up.

There, we did it. We want to thank you all again for being such loyal customers, steadfast supporters and the best cheerleaders anyone could ever ask for over the last four years. We hope to see you around town. Sincerely, Mark and Trish Speiser.