Why Do Bars Have Mirrors? Exploring the Connection Between Mirrors and Alcohol

Why do bars have mirrors?
Part of a bartenders job is to keep an eye on everything going on in their bar. Whether it is to grab a bottle, use the cash register, or anything else, the bartender can use the mirror to watch what’s going on while their back is turned.
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You could note that mirrors are a typical feature when you enter a bar. However, have you ever questioned why? The history of alcohol and the way that bars were intended to serve their patrons play a role in the solution.

Alcohol was forbidden in the US from 1920 to 1933, which was known as Prohibition. Many individuals however continued to desire alcohol, and a black market for it swiftly developed. “Bootleggers” were one gang that controlled a significant portion of the illicit alcohol industry. These people would bring alcohol into the nation illegally or manufacture it covertly.

Bootleggers would frequently conceal their illegal operations behind fake walls or in basements in order to avoid being discovered by the authorities. In order to monitor the entryway and keep an eye out for law enforcement or other obtrusive visitors, they would also position mirrors strategically throughout their facilities. Mirrors came to be connected with the illicit alcohol trade as a result of this practice becoming so widespread.

In 1933, Prohibition was repealed, and pubs could once again serve alcohol freely. But mirrors continued to be used in interior design. Mirrors helped to provide the impression that a room is larger, making the bar seem busier and consequently more popular. Mirrors also made it possible for bartenders to watch over all portions of the bar, including those that were hidden from view.

However, mirrors in bars also have another use. They may provide customers seated at the bar a feeling of closeness and solitude. Mirrors can give you the impression that you have your own private area even in a crowded business by reflecting the other side of the bar.

The amount of money that bootleggers made during Prohibition is now known. Despite the difficulty of obtaining precise data, it is believed that bootleggers gained billions of dollars during this time. Since there was no legitimate competition, the cost of alcohol soared, enabling bootleggers to set high prices for their products.

On December 5, 1933, the U.S. Constitution’s 21st Amendment was ratified, thereby ending Prohibition. But the way bars are made and how mirrors are used still reflect the influence of the time.

In conclusion, the history of mirrors in the alcoholic beverage industry is both long and fascinating. Mirrors have had a significant impact on how we perceive bars, from their usage by bootleggers to their continuous use in contemporary bars. So you’ll have a better understanding of the history and significance of mirrors the next time you go into a pub and notice them adorning the walls.

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