Speakeasies of the Prohibition Era
The era of Prohibition in the United States, spanning from 1920 to 1933, witnessed the dramatic rise of speakeasies. These clandestine establishments, operating in defiance of the law, became synonymous with the era, offering a forbidden allure that captivated the nation. Also known as "blind pigs" or "blind tigers," these illicit taverns served as havens for those seeking alcoholic beverages, often under the watchful eyes of organized crime. The story of speakeasies is inextricably linked to the social, political, and cultural upheaval of the Prohibition era.
The groundwork for this transformative period was laid in 1917 with the drafting of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment, ratified on January 16, 1919, and taking effect in 1920, prohibited the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors." Dubbed the "noble experiment" by Herbert Hoover, the amendment was intended to curb societal ills associated with alcohol consumption. The Volstead Act was subsequently passed to provide the means to enforce the 18th Amendment, setting the stage for a nationwide ban on alcoholic beverages.
Initially, Prohibition advocates celebrated what appeared to be early successes. Arrests for drunkenness declined, and medical statistics indicated a reduction in alcohol-related illnesses. However, a closer examination of the data revealed that drinking habits had been declining for several years prior to Prohibition. Many observers argued that any further decrease was attributable to the inflated prices of bootlegged liquor rather than the law’s effectiveness.
As World War I drew to a close and the nation entered a period of exuberance, the demand for liquor surged. This created a lucrative opportunity for those willing to circumvent the law, giving rise to a flourishing black market. Bootleggers, specializing in the illegal trafficking of alcohol, and speakeasies, providing venues for its consumption, proliferated across the country.
Saloons, once legitimate businesses, were forced to adapt or perish. Many went "underground," relocating to basements, attics, or upper floors, often disguised as seemingly innocuous establishments such as cafes, soda shops, or entertainment venues. The term "speakeasy" itself derived from the need for patrons to whisper or "speak easy" when attempting to gain entry, ensuring discretion and avoiding unwanted attention from law enforcement. These illegal drinking establishments quickly became entrenched institutions, with some claiming that for every legitimate saloon that closed, a half-dozen illegal "gin joints" sprang up in its place.
The sheer number of speakeasies was staggering. New York City alone was estimated to have hosted over 100,000 such establishments at one point. New Jersey boasted a tenfold increase in the number of bars compared to pre-Prohibition times, while Rochester, New York, saw its number double. This pattern was replicated across the nation, demonstrating the widespread defiance of the Prohibition laws.
The atmosphere and aesthetics of speakeasies differed significantly from those of traditional saloons. Gone were the familiar boardwalks, swinging doors, spittoons, and mustache towels. Instead, speakeasies employed creative disguises and implemented strict entry protocols. A password, a specific handshake, or a secret knock was often required to gain access to the illicit premises. The era also witnessed a shift in musical tastes, with the tinkling sounds of player pianos and dance hall girls giving way to the vibrant rhythms of jazz. The competition among speakeasies was fierce, leading many establishments to feature live music, providing ample employment opportunities for jazz musicians.
The social dynamics within speakeasies also underwent a transformation. Unlike the saloons of the past, which largely excluded women, these new establishments welcomed female patrons. Women, who had historically consumed alcohol sparingly, embraced their newfound freedoms, shedding their corsets and indulging in cocktails. The "Jazz Age" fostered a loosening of social mores, giving rise to the "flapper" – a symbol of rebellion and modernity. Flappers, with their short skirts, bobbed hair, and daring demeanor, frequented speakeasies, smoking cigarettes, drinking cocktails, and dancing to the music of jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Bojangles Robinson, and Ethel Waters. Their liberated style challenged traditional norms and contributed to the perception that Prohibition and jazz music were responsible for the perceived immorality of the era.
The language of alcohol also evolved during Prohibition. Familiar terms like "White Lightning," "Tanglefoot," and "Firewater" were replaced by new monikers such as "cocktail," "devil’s candy," "bathtub gin," "booze," and "hooch." Hard liquor gained popularity over beer and wine due to its ease of transportation and storage, making it a more cost-effective option for speakeasies. The "cocktail," a drink virtually nonexistent before Prohibition, emerged as a cultural phenomenon. Previously, men primarily consumed beer or straight shots of liquor. However, with the influx of women into drinking establishments, alcohol began to be mixed with soft drinks, sugar water, and fruit juices. This made bootlegged liquor more palatable, attracting a wider range of consumers. Social barriers were broken down as people from different walks of life mingled in speakeasies, united by their shared desire to drink and evade the law.
Drinking to excess became a common pastime in speakeasies, whereas previously alcohol consumption was often secondary to eating and socializing. Defying Prohibition laws became a symbol of rebellion, with the hip flask serving as a ubiquitous accessory at theaters, festivals, and sporting events.
Alongside alcohol consumption, other vices also flourished in speakeasies. Prostitution and gambling, common in saloons of the past, continued to thrive. However, speakeasies also introduced a new element: drugs. The permissive atmosphere of these establishments exposed many individuals to narcotics, hashish, and marijuana, contributing to their increased usage.
The operation of these numerous illegal establishments required a complex network of suppliers, giving rise to organized crime. Figures like Al "Scarface" Capone in Chicago, the Purple Gang in Detroit, and Lucky Luciano in New York rose to prominence, controlling the distribution of beer, wine, and liquor. Organized crime groups established and managed a wide range of speakeasies, from opulent nightclubs to dimly lit basement taverns.
Despite frequent raids by law enforcement, speakeasies proved remarkably resilient. Club owners often implemented elaborate systems to disguise their operations, installing alarms and concealing contraband in drop shelves and secret cabinets. Some establishments even bribed Prohibition agents and police officers, leading to widespread political corruption.
The control of the liquor industry by organized crime groups resulted in violent turf wars and gang murders. The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929 in Chicago, attributed to Al Capone, stands as one of the most infamous examples of this violence. However, it was just one of many violent incidents during the era. By the late 1920s, Chicago authorities reported as many as 400 gangland murders each year. This high crime rate was not unique to Chicago, as cities across the nation grappled with illegal liquor trafficking, speakeasies, and the violence they engendered.
Prohibitionists also faced setbacks in their efforts to control the location of drinking establishments. Previously, ordinances and licensing laws had been used to limit alcohol sales on Sundays, election days, and in specific neighborhoods. However, illegal speakeasies emerged everywhere, operating without restrictions on their hours. Serious crime rates, which had declined in the early part of the century, gradually increased during Prohibition, with homicides, burglary, and assault becoming more prevalent. The prisons became overcrowded with individuals incarcerated for alcohol-related crimes.
As newspaper headlines across the country chronicled the violence and political corruption associated with Prohibition, public opinion began to shift. Groups advocating for the repeal of Prohibition gained momentum, particularly during the Great Depression, when the prospect of jobs created by the reopening of breweries, distilleries, and taverns became increasingly appealing. Even Herbert Hoover acknowledged that the 18th Amendment was doing more harm than good.
By 1932, both presidential candidates, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover, supported repeal. Upon his election, Roosevelt championed the cause, and on December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution officially repealed the 18th Amendment, bringing an end to the "noble experiment."
With the end of Prohibition, the term "saloon" largely disappeared from the American vocabulary. Legal establishments reopened, referring to themselves as "cocktail lounges" and "taverns."
Whether called a saloon, a speakeasy, a bar, or a tavern, these businesses have proven remarkably resilient, enduring through economic recessions and social changes. They remain an integral part of American history and culture, likely to persist long into the future.