It is said that the name “speakeasy” first appeared in the late 19th century, when unauthorized bars started to spring up all throughout the nation. The name was derived from the requirement that customers speak quietly about their whereabouts and the alcohol being provided in order to avoid being discovered by the authorities. These restaurants were often referred to as “blind pigs” because they frequently charged customers to view an uncommon sight, like a pig, in order to legally offer them alcohol.
The Cotton Club in New York’s Harlem was one of the most well-known speakeasies. Owney Madden, a renowned criminal, ran the club, which showcased African American performers like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. The club was frequented by white customers who were willing to pay top cash for the experience even though segregation was still in place.
“Blind tiger,” another term for speakeasy, has a similar derivation to “blind pig.” In order to give customers alcohol, it is common practice to charge them to see a “tiger” (typically a plush or live animal). The establishment was described as “blind” due of its illegal status and the need to conceal it from law enforcement.
Speakeasy bars have grown in popularity in recent years, with numerous places adopting the exclusivity and secrecy of the original speakeasies. These contemporary speakeasies may have vintage décor and craft cocktails, and they frequently require a password or hidden access. These pubs honor the Prohibition era’s history and culture as well as the colorful personalities who disobeyed the alcohol prohibition, even if they may not be breaking any laws.
In conclusion, speakeasies were illegal drinking dens that operated in the United States during Prohibition. They were defined by their secrecy and the need to keep them hidden from authorities. They went by several names, including speakeasies, blind pigs, and blind tigers. The speakeasy bar concept is currently a fad, and many businesses are adopting the retro furnishings and handcrafted drinks that made the first speakeasies famous.
Alcohol was frequently referred to as “booze”, “hooch”, “giggle water”, “rot gut” and other slang names during the 1920s Prohibition era. This was due to the prohibition on the sale, manufacture, and transit of alcohol, which forced individuals to turn to illegal means of getting it, frequently through bootleggers or speakeasies.
During the American Prohibition era, people who engaged in bootlegging made, smuggled, and sold alcoholic beverages. They frequently operated in covert spaces, like speakeasies, and employed a variety of strategies to elude government enforcement. Some bootleggers would even use force to defend their illicit business.