In Search of Speakeasies
Are speakeasies making a comeback?
They became a staple of nightlife in the Prohibition Era (1920-1933) - secret, hidden bars because the 18th amendment prohibited the sale or use of alcohol.
Speakeasies got their name because patrons were asked to talk quietly or “speak easy” so as not to be heard outside by law enforcement. They are definitely making a comeback, playing on their former establishments’ legacy of dark, cozy atmospheres (ambience), serving fancy craft cocktails, vintage dress, and hidden behind unmarked doors. One reason for the comeback is nostalgia - a longing for a simpler time.
I became fascinated by these places simply because they seemed to be on the “forbidden” list - the allure of something secret. They became a ‘search and find’ game for me. There aren’t many ways to find them -mostly by word of mouth or social media, and it's even harder to get in if you happen to find them.
Three bucket list places I saw on social media:
There’s a place called The Backroom in Capo’s Italian Deli in Washington DC. You have to enter through what looks like a freezer door in the back of the deli, and you have to either have a password or know someone who can let you in.
TikTok exposed this one behind an unassuming soda can freezer in an Amoco gas station in Lakeville, MN.
If you’re in the Denver airport and passing by gate A38, check out this bookstore.
These unmarked doors represent speakeasies I have personally seen. This first one is in upstate NY and frequented by the college crowd in a small town. The other pics are around the Minneapolis suburbs - I especially like the one with the US Post Office sign on the door!
