Speakeasies are illegal establishments that sell alcohol and originated in the United States during Prohibition. They can be found worldwide and often require secrecy to avoid detection. Some offer entertainment and gambling, and may require a password or cover fee. Some modern establishments use the speakeasy theme for decoration and nostalgia.
A speakeasy is an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages illegally. While the origins of this term lie in the United States, speakeasies can be found all over the world. These establishments became particularly well known in the United States during the Prohibition era in the early 20th century, when alcohol was banned due to pressure from the temperance movement.
The term is believed to have come from the idea that people patronizing such an establishment had to remain silent or “speak easily” to avoid detection. To avoid attracting the attention of law enforcement, the facility is often well insulated to minimize noise, and may be grayed out so as not to attract attention. Some speakeasies historically were established in buildings that appeared to be run down from the outside but revealed lavish interiors inside.
In countries where alcohol bans or restrictions exist on the types of alcohol that can be sold, a speakeasy provides alcohol in violation of the prohibition. Alcohol can be produced on site, in the case of simple beers and spirits, or smuggled into the facility. Operating costs for an establishment can be high for organizations that bootlegger alcohol because the cost of liquor is inflated due to the dangers of manufacturing and bootlegging. This is passed on to the establishment’s customers, who pay a premium for the drinks they consume.
In addition to offering alcohol, a speakeasy can also offer entertainment. Some operate as nightclubs with music, dance and other entertainment for guests. They may also offer gambling, an activity which may also be prohibited or restricted by law. Some speakeasies operate relatively openly, while others may require people to submit a password or pay a cover fee to enter. These restrictions are designed to keep government agents out and can also be used to target an elite clientele.
Some of the 1920s clubs that rose to prominence during the Prohibition era passed easily once prohibition was lifted, using their reputations to expand their clientele and continue to operate. Thanks to a nostalgia for the United States of the 1920s, a number of restaurants and nightclubs in the United States decorate themselves in a Prohibition style and can call themselves speakeasies to attract clientele. Guests need not fear, however, the appearance of the dreaded “Revenue Men” who were once in charge of enforcing Prohibition.
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