# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
History Brief: Speakeasies (Roaring Twenties)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Inside the speakeasies of the 1920s

Prohibition bars are all the rage in New York City.

But today's over-priced, often pretentious, watering holes are nothing like the speakeasies of the 1920s and '30s they're trying to recreate.

Ninety years ago, there were hundreds of illegal drinking spots in New York, and the speakeasies - which were often just a hidden room with barely drinkable booze - were mostly run by gangsters.

While many of today's incarnations will disappear as quickly as they've popped up, some of the infamous night spots of the prohibition era have stood the test of time, making an unforgettable mark on the fabric of New York.

Two of the Big Apple's most popular speakeasies were The Cotton Club in Harlem and the Stork Club, which was originally on 58th Street in Manhattan then moved to 53rd Street.

After prohibition ended in 1933, the bars became magnets for movie stars, celebrities, wealthy New Yorkers and showgirls.

Chumley's on 86 Bedford Street in Manhattan was also a popular speakeasy, opening in 1922, three years into prohibition, on the site of a former blacksmith shop.

When warned of a police raid, the Chumley's staff were told to send their customers out the Bedford Street door. For some reason, the police would always enter through the Pamela Court entrance, allowing the customers to escape without being seen.

Chumley's became a favorite spot for influential writers, poets, playwrights, journalists, and activists and was even mentioned in an episode of 'Mad Men' as a destination for after-work drinks. It sadly closed in 2007 when a chimney collapsed in its dining room.

Connie's Inn on 7th Avenue and West 131st Street gave the Cotton Club a run for its money, booking jazz acts like Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Fletcher Henderson. But the bar shut down as soon as prohibition ended, seeing no fun in selling booze legally.

Landmark Tavern opened its doors in 1868, long before the government banned the booze. The tavern, located on what was then the waterfront of the Hudson, started as an Irish saloon and the family who ran it lived on the second and third floors.

When prohibition was imposed, they had to transform the third floor into a speakeasy in order to support themselves. The bar was never raided and has been open consistently since 1868.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268971/Inside-speakeasies-1920s-The-hidden-drinking-spots-transformed-New-York-Citys-night-life-prohibition-era-beyond.html#ixzz3H4TDYmgI

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Inside the speakeasies of the 1920s Prohibition bars are all the rage in New York City. But today's over-priced, often pretentious, watering holes are nothing like the speakeasies of the 1920s and '30s they're trying to recreate.

# data[].attributes.body
This website is perfect for researching simply because of the broad amount of information it provides on sight. It also has a variety of pictures and captions to immerse the user into the mood and the time period.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
fullerton theatre
staged cinema
the king
santa claus conquers the martians
night of the living dead
theater
brian newell
performing arts
improv
movies on stage
films on stage
joseph musil
art deco theatre
art deco theater

# data[].attributes.body
This is a very useful website solely because it gives plenty of background information along with what the user searched for. It also doesn't have any extra advertisements or anything restricting the general experience of simply researching a general topic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
But today's over-priced, often pretentious, watering holes are nothing like the speakeasies of the 1920s and '30s they're trying to recreate.

Ninety years ago, there were hundreds of illegal drinking spots in New York, and the speakeasies - which were often just a hidden room with barely drinkable booze - were mostly run by gangsters.

While many of today's incarnations will disappear as quickly as they've popped up, some of the infamous night spots of the prohibition era have stood the test of time, making an unforgettable mark on the fabric of New York.

Two of the Big Apple's most popular speakeasies were The Cotton Club in Harlem and the Stork Club, which was originally on 58th Street in Manhattan then moved to 53rd Street.

After prohibition ended in 1933, the bars became magnets for movie stars, celebrities, wealthy New Yorkers and showgirls.

Chumley's on 86 Bedford Street in Manhattan was also a popular speakeasy, opening in 1922, three years into prohibition, on the site of a former blacksmith shop.

When warned of a police raid, the Chumley's staff were told to send their customers out the Bedford Street door. For some reason, the police would always enter through the Pamela Court entrance, allowing the customers to escape without being seen.

Chumley's became a favorite spot for influential writers, poets, playwrights, journalists, and activists and was even mentioned in an episode of 'Mad Men' as a destination for after-work drinks. It sadly closed in 2007 when a chimney collapsed in its dining room.

Connie's Inn on 7th Avenue and West 131st Street gave the Cotton Club a run for its money, booking jazz acts like Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Fletcher Henderson. But the bar shut down as soon as prohibition ended, seeing no fun in selling booze legally.

Landmark Tavern opened its doors in 1868, long before the government banned the booze. The tavern, located on what was then the waterfront of the Hudson, started as an Irish saloon and the family who ran it lived on the second and third floors.

When prohibition was imposed, they had to transform the third floor into a speakeasy in order to support themselves. The bar was never raided and has been open consistently since 1868.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Inside the speakeasies of the 1920s: The hidden drinking spots that transformed New York City's night life during the prohibition era and beyond

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
But today's over-priced, often pretentious, watering holes are nothing like the speakeasies of the 1920s and '30s they're trying to recreate. Ninety years ago, there were hundreds of illegal drinking spots in New York, and the speakeasies - which were often just a hidden room with barely drinkable booze - were mostly run by gangsters.

# data[].attributes.body
This Is a very useful website because of the simplistic way that it presents the desired information. At first it gives a Brief introduction to the topic and then dives into the desired information making it so that if you wanted too you could skip right into without much difficulty.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
During the difficult years of the American Prohibition, the underground speakeasy put the "roar" into the "roaring 20's". While the drink has been legal for 80 years since, the allure of underground nightlife remains today. The concept speakeasy has returned in recent years, bringing finely-crafted cocktails and exclusive lounge environments to New York, LA, Chicago and beyond. Join us to explore 10 of the best and all their secretive, intimate glory.

This post was brought to you by Tanqueray. Join us on Facebook to learn more.

Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company - Philadelphia

The prohibition era made mobsters into moguls, and few were as successful as Max "Boo Boo" Hoff. Hoff ran nearly 10,000 gallons of bootlegged booze per day out of his Philly HQ, operated under the front title of " Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company ". In the 20s, that name represented the largest bootlegging operation in the United States. Today, it has been revived in a Philadelphia speakeasy inspired by the work and product of Boo Boo Hoff. Prohibition-era cocktails, vintage decor and a restrictive guest policy make this one intimate, refined and very exclusive. If you find yourself in Philly, look for Franklin at 112 S. 18th Street.

Franklin Mortgage and Investment Company - Philadelphia | Gallery

The Night Heron Water Tower Speakeasy - NYC

There are speakeasy-inspired bars and then there are genuine speakeasies- and this is the latter.. The Night Heron Water Tower Speakeasy in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan operated entirely outside of the line of the law. No rent, no liquor license, no rules, no address and no way in without an invitation. That invitation usually arrived in the form of a vintage wristwatch handed over from a past guest- with vague instructions for a time and a place to await a sponsor of sorts. When a new guest would arrive on street corner X at time Y, a Night Heron guide would lead the new customer through empty hallways and staircases to the roof of a Chelsea building. Finally, guests ascend a ladder to the Night Heron speakeasy inside an old water tower. The Night Heron is now defunct, but when it was in business, it was likely the most exclusive, rare and unique nightclub experience in greater NYC.

The Night Heron Water Tower Speakeasy - NYC | Gallery

The Varnish - LA

There are plenty of places in LA to go if you want to be seen. The Varnish is one where you go to remain incognito, to fly under the radar and bask in the lack of light in its interior. This exclusive little bar serves up some of the finest cocktails in Los Angeles, thanks to a team of some of the city's best mixologists. It can be a challenge to locate, given its subtle markings at the old kitchen entrance to Cole's, the LA legend that supposedly created the French Dip.

The Varnish - LA | Gallery

The Office - Chicago

While there are many great basement bars in Chicago, The Office may be the city's finest. The Office is the sister project of The Aviary, the latest restaurant by Michelin-recipient Grant Achatz. This speakeasy-style underground bar is open by invitation only, about as exclusive as it gets in the Second City. The Office serves up some of the finest prohibition-era cocktails you can find in Chicago in an environment that feels like a perfectly-curated time capsule. After an award-winning meal at The Aviary, a drink at The Office is the perfect Chicago nightcap. [images courtesy: john joh via flickr creative commons]

The Office - Chicago | Gallery

Bathtub Gin - NYC

In the back of a coffee shop in New York City, a trick door opens to expose a scene right out of the 1920s, the Bathtub Gin speakeasy. In name and in spirit, Bathtub Gin celebrates one of the most common drinks of the prohibition era. Back in the 20s, bootlegged gin was a hardly tolerable beverage, so bartenders would find creative ways to mix and serve gin to please their guests. In its day, the bathtub gin beverage was deeply responsible for the popularity of the cocktail. This new NYC speakeasy hopes to do the same with fine drinks and a secretive environment to enjoy them in.

Bathtub Gin - NYC | Gallery

Ciros Speakeasy - Tampa

Mafia history buffs and fans of HBO's Boardwalk Empire know the seedy side of the cigar city, Tampa, Florida. The prohibition-era mob capitol of the south celebrates its history in a speakeasy bar a block from the bay. Ciros Speakeasy is well-hidden to passer's by, with an unmarked door at the base of a residential highrise on Bayshore Boulevard. Ring a buzzer and a slot will open in the door, requested the day's password. Guests that are welcomed within can enjoy some of the best cocktails in central Florida in a classy, dimly-lit environment. Bonus points for the jellyfish tank that reminds you of the tropical environment right outside of Ciro's secretive entrance. [images courtesy: yelp.com via flickr creative commons]

Ciros Speakeasy - Tampa | Gallery

The Velvet Tango Room - Cleveland

If you can't imagine Cleveland being a prohibition-era hotspot, think again. Its location on Lake Erie made it and nearby coastal Ohio cities a shipping point for booze from Canada. While that history is long gone, a bit of it lives on in places like The Velvet Tango Room in downtown Cleveland. The Velvet tango serves up "cocktail art" that hails back nearly 100 years, in an environment lit largely by candles and darkened by jazz. It's the kind of place Capone might stop on a trip to New York from his empire in Chicago, and it's tops in its state for speakeasy-style nightlife.

The Velvet Tango Room - Cleveland | Gallery

Bourbon and Branch - San Francisco

If you're in-the-know or in search of a private detective, you'll be awarded a fine cocktail if you enter the door marked "Wilson and Wilson Private Detective Agency" in San Francisco. The bar is Bourbon and Branch, a speakeasy nightclub with a focus on artful cocktails and limited access. You'll need a password to enter Bourbon and Branch on some nights, and if you're amongst the most important persons in the building, you might be welcomed to the speakeasy-within-a-speakeasy in the rear, a very private pub. [images courtesy: john joh and jennifer morrow via flickr creative commons]

Bourbon and Branch - San Francisco | Gallery

Noble Experiment - San Diego

In an alley behind another bar, a wall of kegs is actually a secret entrance to The Noble Experiment, a modern-day speakeasy in San Diego. From the design to the drinks to the exclusive air, The Noble Experiment is a must-experience destination in Southern(most) California. The bar is illuminated by indirect lights that reflect off of a thousand gold skulls on the interior wall. The rest of the environment is just as dim, with the brightest event being the cocktails themselves. Some of the regions finest bartenders serve drinks at The Noble Experiment, and that's what keeps the secret location packed every weekend. [images courtesy: dj venus via flickr creative commons]

Noble Experiment - San Diego | Gallery

Please Dont Tell - NYC

One of the earliest examples of the return of the speakeasy remains one of the best, namely Please Dont Tell in New York City. A small hot dog joint near Manhattan's Alphabet City has an old-style phone booth on a rear wall. Inside that phone booth is the entrance to Please Don't Tell, which claims to serve the best Old-Fashioned in New York City. Guests can make reservations online, but if you know your way to PDT's entrance, you might be able to sneak in one of those famous Old Fashioned's without the formality. Many speakeasies have come after Please Don't Tell, but few have scraped its importance to the world of modern (and vintage) cocktails. [images courtesy: jmh-pics via flickr creative commons]

Please Dont Tell - NYC | Gallery

- - - - - - - - - -

These 10 represent some of the highest-regarded speakeasies in the United States, but there are plenty more to discover here and throughout the world. Do you have a secret place you'd like to share with the rest of us, or one that we should have considered for this list? Shoot us the details @thecoolist or hit us up on facebook, and in the mean time- please remember to drive responsibly!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Secret Speakeasies of Modern-Day America

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
During the difficult years of the American Prohibition, the underground speakeasy put the "roar" into the "roaring 20's". While the drink has been legal for 80 years since, the allure of underground nightlife remains today. The concept speakeasy has returned in recent years, bringing finely-crafted cocktails and exclusive lounge environments to New York, LA, Chicago and beyond.

# data[].attributes.body
This website connects the idea of speakeasies to modern day night clubs that somewhat resemble what used to transpire in the 1920's. It really gives some insight on what a speakeasy would look like in our eyes and how we could compare it to the things we see today.