A speakeasy, alternatively known as a blind pig or blind tiger, was an underground establishment covertly selling alcoholic beverages. The term is also applied to contemporary bars designed to replicate the ambiance of historical speakeasies.
In the annals of nightlife history, few institutions evoke the same sense of mystery and allure as the speakeasy. Originating during the the Prohibition era in the United States (1920-1933), these hidden bars became havens for those seeking to enjoy illicit tipples in a time when the sale of alcoholic beverages was prohibited.
This period witnessed the nationwide prohibition of the sale, production, and transportation (bootlegging) of alcoholic beverages across the United States. The clandestine nature of speakeasies was a response to the strict legal restrictions imposed during this time.
Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, speakeasies largely faded from the social landscape.
Why Were They Called “Speakeasys”
The expression “speak softly shop,” signifying a “smuggler’s house,” surfaced in a British slang dictionary published in 1823.
A similar phrase, “speak easy shop,” indicating a location where illicit liquor sales occurred, was found in a British naval memoir written in 1844.
The specific term “speakeasy” can be traced back to at least 1837 when an article in the Sydney Herald newspaper in Australia made reference to ‘sly grog shops, known in colloquial terms as “speakeasy’s”.
In the USA, the term surfaced in the 1880s. An article from March 21, 1889, in a newspaper mentions “speak easy” as the designation employed in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, to describe “a saloon that sells without a license.”
These establishments earned the moniker “speakeasies” due to the discreet practice of speaking softly about such places in public or when inside them, aiming to avoid drawing attention from the police or neighbors.
A Brief History Of Speakeasy Bars
During the Prohibition era, despite being illicit, speakeasies were both abundant and widely favored. Many were managed by individuals associated with organized crime. Despite frequent police and Bureau of Prohibition raids resulting in the arrests of owners and patrons, their profitability ensured their persistence.
The speakeasy swiftly evolved into a significant aspect of American culture during this period. Notably, one transformative change was the promotion of integration.
Individuals of all races, regardless of being black or white, would convene and socialize. The atmosphere encouraged people to mix with each other, fostering a relatively problem-free environment.
Another change took place with increased involvement from women. Numerous establishments tailored their speakeasies to attract female patrons, recognizing the potential for enhanced profits.
The subpar quality of bootleg liquor dispensed in certain speakeasies prompted a departure from 19th-century “classic” cocktails, which celebrated the unadulterated essence of the liquor. Instead, new cocktails emerged with the intent of masking the rough taste of illicit moonshine.
These concealment-focused drinks were contemporarily termed “pansies”, although some, like the Brandy Alexander, have since earned the designation of “classic.”
The alcoholic beverages available in speakeasies varied widely in quality, ranging from very poor to exceptionally good, depending on the source chosen by the establishment’s owner. Cost considerations often led to the use of inexpensive liquor for higher profitability.
Alternatively, some speakeasies relied on brand names to specify the desired liquor, but instances of deception occurred.
In such cases, patrons were misled, receiving inferior quality liquor instead of the premium product they had ordered, with prices averaging between four to five dollars per bottle.
Speakeasy Bars Atmosphere
Initially, the speakeasy was modest in size, often lacking entertainment, but it gradually burgeoned in popularity and extended its presence to diverse locations. With the addition of entertainment offerings, it evolved into one of the most significant enterprises during Prohibition.
Once inside, patrons were transported to a world of dim lighting, plush furnishings, and an intimate ambiance that fostered camaraderie among those in the know.
The atmosphere was designed to create a sense of exclusivity, an escape from the outside world where patrons could indulge in the forbidden pleasures of whisky, beer, gin, and cocktails.
In numerous rural towns, local business owners operated small speakeasies and blind pigs, preserving these family secrets even after the Prohibition era concluded. In 2007, renovators unearthed secret underground rooms believed to have been a speakeasy on the grounds of Cyber Cafe West in Binghamton, New York.
Size was not a limiting factor for speakeasies. It didn’t take much more than a bottle and two chairs to make a speakeasy. Many hidden bars employed a doorkeeper to signal a warning to the bar, prompting a transformation into an ordinary establishment through a mechanism.
Whisky’s Underground Appeal
Whisky, a spirit deeply embedded in American culture, was hit hard by Prohibition. With distilleries shuttered and legal avenues for enjoying this amber elixir closed, enthusiasts turned to speakeasies for a taste of the forbidden dram.
These secret bars often boasted extensive whisky selections, ranging from smuggled classics to homemade moonshine, creating an atmosphere of exclusivity and rebellion.
Beer’s Secret Sip
The Prohibition era dealt a significant blow to the beer industry, leading to the closure of breweries and the abrupt end of the vibrant beer culture that had thrived in pre-Prohibition America. However, speakeasies became the secret sanctuaries where patrons could enjoy a cold beer away from the prying eyes of authorities.
The beer served in these establishments often came from underground breweries, giving patrons a glimpse into the resilience and creativity that defined this era.
Gin, the Secret Garden Spirit
Gin, with its versatility and mixability, found a special place in the cocktail culture that thrived within speakeasy walls. Despite Prohibition, the demand for crafty recipes persisted.
Gin, often easily concealed in cocktails, became a key ingredient in the secret world of speakeasies. Bartenders experimented with botanicals and flavors, creating unique gin-based cocktails that would later become staples of modern mixology.
Cocktails: Craft and Concealment
The cocktail culture that emerged during Prohibition was a defining feature of speakeasies. Bartenders, faced with the challenge of working with subpar or homemade spirits, honed their cocktail recipes in mixing innovative and flavorful cocktails.
Classics like the Old Fashioned and the Sidecar found a new home within the dimly lit, hidden corners of these secret bars, giving birth to a renaissance in cocktails.
Modern Speakeasies: Nostalgia and Innovation
While Prohibition came to an end with the repeal of the 18th Amendment in 1933, the legacy of speakeasies continues to shape contemporary nightlife.
Modern speakeasies pay homage to their predecessors, often incorporating elements of the past, such as hidden entrances, vintage décor, and jazz-inspired music.
However, these establishments also bring a modern twist to the concept, with innovative cocktail menus, craft beers, and curated whisky selections that appeal to a new generation of patrons.
The Speakeasy – A Reminder Of Another Time
The speakeasy, born out of necessity during the Prohibition era, has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of nightlife.
As we raise a glass in these modern iterations of the once-illicit establishments, we continue to pay homage to a bygone era that dared to defy the restrictions placed on the enjoyment of our favorite drinks.
The speakeasy, with its timeless charm, serves as a reminder that sometimes the most extraordinary experiences are found in the secret corners of the ordinary.
Like to learn about other different kinds of bars? – Learn, what is a Dive Bar?
