Entering Room 56: A Guide to the World of Speakeasies

Speakeasies were covert establishments that appeared in the United States from 1920 to 1933, the period of Prohibition. Due to the widespread prohibition on the production, sale, and transit of alcoholic beverages, these illegal bars and clubs emerged. A speakeasy required a password or a secret door to enter because it was not permitted to promote them or disclose their location to the police. How do you enter Room 56 then? You need to locate Room 56 first. As speakeasies were sometimes found in basements, back alleyways, and other obscure locations, this was not a simple task. To evade police raids, they might also regularly relocate. Asking around was the best way to find a speakeasy, but doing so came with hazards because one had to be cautious not to draw unwanted attention.

You had to make sure you had the password once you’d located Room 56. Typically, this was a term or phrase that only regulars or dependable clients knew because it changed daily or weekly. You couldn’t enter if you didn’t know the password. Some speakeasies even included covert entrances, like false bookcases or doors that had to be unlocked with a certain motion or knock.

Al Capone was one of the notorious gangsters who controlled a large portion of the illicit alcohol trade in speakeasies. During Prohibition, Chicago-based criminal Al Capone gained influence by providing liquor to speakeasies and managing a sizable bootlegging enterprise. He was notorious for using aggressive methods and committed numerous killings while in power. The federal government eventually brought down Capone’s enterprise, and he was imprisoned for tax evasion. Because speakeasies were venues where alcohol was illegally supplied, they were also known as “blind pigs”; the word “blind pig” was used to describe the animal that served as an advertisement for these locations. Owners would charge visitors to view a blind pig, but after they entered, they would be presented with the option of purchasing alcohol. Given that the establishment was technically not selling alcohol but rather charging for entry, this was a means to get around the Prohibition rules.

One of the states that suffered greatly from Prohibition was Kentucky. The prohibition on alcohol production and sales had a substantial impact on the local economy because the state has a long history of producing bourbon and other spirits. Numerous distilleries went out of business, which resulted in thousands of job losses. As more people started manufacturing and selling alcohol illegally, the state also developed into a center for moonshining and bootlegging.

Speaking of which, speakeasies played a significant role in American culture throughout Prohibition. Customers may have a drink and mingle in a secret environment while inside one, but getting into one needed some work and understanding. A speakeasy was distinct from a bar since it had to operate illegally and remain undetected by law enforcement. Many taverns and eateries pay homage to this time period with hidden entrances, password-protected doors, and retro furnishings, carrying on the history of speakeasies.