speakeasy, place where alcoholic beverages are illegally sold, especially such establishments in the United States during Prohibition (1920–33). In more recent years the term has also applied to legal bars that are modeled on historical speakeasies.
According to some accounts, the word speakeasy came from “speak-softly shops,” illegal drinking establishments in England and Ireland in the 19th century. The name referenced the need for secrecy; customers were asked to speak quietly while inside to avoid detection. By the end of the century, speakeasy had come into usage in the United States. However, speakeasies did not gain widespread notoriety until 1920, when the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution outlawed alcohol. As the demand for alcohol continued, speakeasies began to proliferate. In New York City alone there were an estimated 20,000–100,000 speakeasies. Given the huge number, it is not surprising that they varied widely—from modest setups that served moonshine in building basements and people’s residencies to glamorous nightclubs that came to embody the Roaring Twenties. The latter included New York’s well-known Cotton Club, which featured jazz bands and dancing.
Corruption was rampant during Prohibition, and many speakeasy owners bribed police and government officials to avoid raids. Safety precautions were also implemented, and these included secret knocks and passwords for admittance. Some speakeasies even developed elaborate systems to destroy any incriminating evidence. The 21 Club in New York was especially notable. In the event of a raid, a special button was pressed, causing alcohol bottles to slide down a shaft that was designed to break the glass. At the bottom was a pile of rocks to complete the job.
While speakeasies are sometimes regarded as just a colourful footnote in U.S. history, they had a lasting impact on American life. Perhaps most notably, they caused a dramatic shift in the way women drink. In the decades prior to Prohibition, it was not common for women to consume alcohol in public, and, when they did, it was typically not in the company of men; in some states women were legally barred from saloons. Many speakeasies, however, actively courted female patrons with such amenities as restaurants, dancing, and powder rooms. These changes continued after the end of Prohibition and paved the way for modern nightlife.
In addition, speakeasies contributed to the rise of organized crime in the United States. Many of the establishments were connected to gangsters, who commonly owned the bars or sold them bootlegged alcohol.
With the passage of the Twenty-first Amendment in 1933, speakeasies largely disappeared. However, in the 21st century they experienced a resurgence, though as legal establishments. An alternative to loud crowded bars, today’s speakeasies offer a more intimate and relaxed experience. Most feature retro furniture, and some places require passwords or a special knock to enter. Various cocktails are available, often prepared by a mixologist.