The speakeasy came into prominence in the United State during the Prohibition era, 1920–1933. During that time, the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic beverages was illegal throughout the United States.
The phrase “speak easy” denoting a place where unlicensed liquor sales were made. The term appeared in a British naval memoir written in 1844 meaning a “smuggler’s house,” and a British slang dictionary published in 1823. In Prohibition-era America, the “speakeasy” became a common term for illegal drinking establishments.
Nowadays the name ‘speakeasy’ is a prohibition-themed legal cocktail bar, serving classic and signature cocktails and craft spirits.
Some Popular NYC Hidden Bars
- Apotheke
- Amor y Amargo
- Attaboy
- Bathtub Gin
- Patent Pending
- Peppis Cellar
- PDT
- La Noxe
- Ninety Nine Franklin
- Pouring Ribbons
- Thyme
- The 18th Room
- The Hidden Perl
- Bar Francis
- Blue Quarter
- Cactus Bar
- Chinatown & Nomad
- Coby Club
- Dear Irving
- Madam George
- Death + Company
- Double Chicken Please
- Dutch Kills
- Featherweight
- Flatiron Lounge
- Jewel Thief
- Ruin
- Manhattan Cricket Club
- Nothing Really Matters
- Paper Planes
- The Backroom
- The Woo Woo
- Summit Bar
- The Raines Law Room
- The Ragtrader & Bo Peep
- Unpublished