Buzz
In 1920, women of a certain age, driven by grievances, flooded the streets to celebrate the enactment of the Prohibition amendment. Opponents of the ban retreated underground, finding solace in speakeasies that offered illicit alcohol, gambling, entertainment, and the vibrant sounds of jazz. This list revisits the past, exploring how speakeasies functioned and reshaped the nation.
10. The Rise of Jazz
Speakeasies during Prohibition marked the dawn of the jazz music era. During the “Great Migration,” Southern black musicians relocated to Northern cities like Chicago, where they found employment in speakeasies run by gangsters.
Interestingly, gangsters were the first audience for these musicians. Beyond offering stable income and opportunities previously unavailable in the South, the gangsters also acted as protectors and promoters of the musicians.
This fresh form of entertainment, promoted by gangsters as “thrilling and enjoyable,” drew in larger crowds, enabling many white patrons to experience jazz for the first time. Jazz quickly gained popularity across the Midwest and East Coast, turning cities like Chicago and New York into vibrant hubs of black cultural expression.
9. Entry Protocols
Due to the illegal nature of speakeasies, entry was restricted. Patrons had to provide a secret password, use a specific handshake, or perform a coded knock. Often, recommendations and word of mouth were the primary ways to gain access. Most speakeasies employed a bouncer who determined entry based on familiarity and personal connections.
As speakeasies gained popularity, law enforcement intensified its efforts to shut them down. To counter this, establishments introduced “speakeasy cards,” which acted as membership passes and proof of admission. These portable IDs became the ultimate key to enjoying illicit pleasures in a safe, police-free setting.
8. The Rise of Speakeasies
Prohibition aimed to dry out America, but it underestimated people’s determination and the availability of alcohol from neighboring countries. The law had the opposite effect, leading to an explosion of speakeasies. New Jersey reported ten times more drinking spots than before, while New York was believed to have up to 100,000 speakeasies, doubling the pre-Prohibition count.
For every bar that closed, three new ones sprang up. Freed from regulations like licensing agreements, men turned basements, garages, and storerooms into thriving bars. Law enforcement was overwhelmed, with four speakeasies reportedly operating on the same street as the Boston Police Department.
7. Martinis and Cocktails
Before Prohibition, the US was renowned for its exquisite cocktails. European bartenders even visited America to master the craft of American “mixology.” When Prohibition began, skilled bartenders either moved to Europe or switched professions, leaving the US with poorly made bathtub gin and moonshine.
The new alcohol was far more potent than pre-Prohibition drinks. Moonshine, for instance, was sometimes used to power the vehicles transporting illegal liquor. While drinkable, its harsh taste often required dilution, leading to the rise of the martini and mixed drink culture synonymous with the Roaring Twenties.
6. Interracial Connections
Speakeasies operated by gangsters became a melting pot for diverse social classes and races, fostering unprecedented social interactions. As jazz and blues dominated the nightlife, especially in Harlem, white patrons frequented speakeasies where interracial couples could enjoy drinks, laughter, and dancing. This era, known as the Harlem Renaissance, didn’t dismantle Jim Crow’s racial barriers but fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie.
Unsurprisingly, these interracial interactions sparked controversy among those opposed to such relationships. At the time, such matters were considered taboo. The rise of jazz and speakeasies brought interracial relationships into the spotlight, fueling further opposition to Harlem’s nightlife.
5. Ghostly Tales
Some believe that the ghosts of 1920s patrons still linger in surviving speakeasies. The Rosslyn Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, home to the legendary Monterey Room speakeasy, draws visitors eager to experience the ambiance of the infamous 1920s saloon.
Rosslyn staff report eerie occurrences, such as tall shadows, footsteps on empty staircases, and voices echoing through hallways. Security guard Joyce Hunt, who claims to have encountered paranormal activity, says many guards have resigned after unsettling encounters with the supernatural.
Another notable Prohibition-era speakeasy, the Landmark Tavern in New York, is said to be haunted by Hollywood icon George Raft, a speakeasy regular, and the ghost of a man stabbed to death there. Additionally, the spirit of an Irish immigrant girl is believed to roam the third floor where she passed away.
4. Women’s Liberation
Prohibition-era speakeasies redefined social interactions between men and women. Previously, bars rarely accommodated women, as they were expected to remain at home. However, the rise of nightclubs and jazz music empowered bob-haired “flappers,” who embraced a newfound sense of freedom. Despite societal taboos, women reveled in the nightlife of underground speakeasies, where smoking, drinking cocktails, and dancing to jazz became socially acceptable.
Men appreciated the presence of these stylish women, and bar owners capitalized on their allure to draw larger crowds. A Manhattan speakeasy famously displayed a sign above its entrance: “Through these portals, the most beautiful women in the world pass.” This era also popularized the term “powder room” for women’s restrooms.
3. The Emergence of Al Capone
Gangsters quickly recognized the lucrative potential of supplying alcohol to speakeasies and began battling for control as demand soared. Johnny Torrio, a Chicago mobster aiming to dominate the liquor trade, enlisted his trusted associate Al Capone from New York to eliminate competitors.
When Capone arrived in Chicago in 1920, his mission was to persuade speakeasy owners to purchase illegal alcohol from Torrio and intimidate rival operators into surrendering their territories. After surviving an assassination attempt in 1925, Torrio retired and transferred the business to Capone.
This move solidified Capone’s power, and the speakeasy industry funded his rise to invincibility. Within two years, Capone amassed $60 million from alcohol sales, enabling him to corrupt police and politicians through bribes.
2. Nostalgia
To evoke the allure of the 1920s, many bars across the US have recreated speakeasies inspired by the Prohibition era. In New York, numerous establishments offer a nostalgic journey with hidden rooms and secret passages reminiscent of the 1920s.
Finding an authentic bar that once functioned as a speakeasy is a rare feat. In New York, only two original Prohibition-era speakeasies remain, including The Back Room. During the 1920s, this venue welcomed movie stars and notorious gangsters like Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky.
Surprisingly, those seeking an authentic speakeasy experience may not need to search far. In 2014, Philadelphia police uncovered two coffee shops doubling as illegal speakeasies. The owners were arrested, and authorities confiscated liquor and cash. A year earlier, another Philadelphia speakeasy was shut down after the owner falsified a liquor license.
1. Concealed Mysteries
Speakeasy owners were constantly vigilant, anticipating the next police raid. To evade detection, they devised ingenious methods to conceal their bars—ranging from velvet booths with hidden rooms to teacups disguising cocktails. Chicago’s Green Mill, a favorite spot of Al Capone, even featured a secret tunnel beneath the bar for swift escapes.
One of America’s most renowned speakeasies, the 21 Club in New York, featured some of the most elaborate hidden mechanisms. During Prohibition, it faced frequent raids by police and federal tax agents. To counter this, the bar was equipped with a concealed wine cellar storing approximately 2,000 cases of alcohol and a rotating bar that could vanish to hide liquor from authorities. The club also boasted hidden chutes and disguised entrances.
