Speakeasy

Introduction

The entrance to a speakeasy in Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit, Michigan.

A speakeasy was a secret, illegal establishment that sold alcoholic beverages during the Prohibition era in the United States (1920-1933). In this article, we will explore the history, culture, and legacy of speakeasies.

History

The Prohibition era was a time when the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol was prohibited in the United States. However, this did not stop many Americans from drinking, and the demand for alcohol gave rise to a network of secret, illegal bars and nightclubs known as speakeasies. The name "speakeasy" is said to come from the need to speak quietly, or "easy", so as not to draw attention to the illegal establishment.

Speakeasies were often located in basements, back rooms, or hidden spaces behind legitimate businesses, and their entrances were disguised to avoid detection by the authorities. Once inside, patrons could drink, dance, and socialize in a clandestine atmosphere. Speakeasies were particularly popular in urban areas such as New York City and Chicago.

The end of Prohibition in 1933 marked the decline of speakeasies, but their legacy lives on in American culture and folklore.

Culture

Speakeasies were not just places to drink; they were also cultural hubs that brought together people from different backgrounds and social classes. They were places where jazz music flourished, and many famous musicians got their start playing in speakeasies. Speakeasies were also associated with organized crime and the underworld, and their patrons often included gangsters and other notorious figures.

The atmosphere of a speakeasy was often secretive and exclusive, with a sense of danger and excitement. The bartenders were skilled at mixing drinks, and many speakeasies developed their own signature cocktails, such as the gin-based "bee's knees" or the whiskey-based "Old Fashioned".

Gallery

• 
  Taste of the Town Masquerade speakeasy.
• 
  New York, Wid's Films and Film Folks.
• 
  painting, by Glenn Coleman.

Legacy

The legacy of speakeasies can be seen in American culture today. Many bars and nightclubs have recreated the atmosphere of a speakeasy, with hidden entrances, dim lighting, and vintage decor. Speakeasy-inspired cocktails have also become popular, and bartenders often put a modern twist on classic recipes.

Speakeasies have also had an impact on American literature and film. The novels of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway often depict the social scene of the 1920s, including speakeasies. The film "The Great Gatsby" (2013) features a memorable scene set in a speakeasy, and the television series "Boardwalk Empire" (2010-2014) depicts the rise of organized crime during Prohibition.

References

<references> <ref name="Prohibition"> History.com Editors. Prohibition(link). History.

Accessed 2023-04-04.

<ref name="Culture"> Davies, Brett. The History of Speakeasies in America(link). NPR.

Accessed 2023-04-04.

<ref name="Legacy"> Bauer-Kravette, Molly. Speakeasies, Secret and Showy, Return to New York(link). The New York Times.

Accessed 2023-04-04.

</references>

See also

Prohibition in the United States Alcohol laws of the United States Jazz Age

External links

Prohibition - History.com The History of Speakeasies in America - NPR Speakeasies, Secret and Showy, Return to New York - The New York Times

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