What is a speak easy?

A speakeasy, also known as a blind pig or blind tiger, was an illicit establishment that sold alcoholic beverages during the period of United States history known as Prohibition (1920–1933, although some states continued prohibition longer). The term "speakeasy" arose because patrons had to "speak easy" or quietly to avoid alerting law enforcement or neighbors.

These hidden bars were often located in basements, back rooms, or other inconspicuous locations. Gaining entry often required a secret password or a specific knock to prove you were a trusted customer.

Speakeasies contributed to a cultural shift, particularly for women. They provided a space where women could socialize and drink alongside men, defying traditional gender roles.

The drinks served were frequently of questionable quality, often made with bootlegged liquor or homemade brews like bathtub%20gin. While the quality may have been lacking, the atmosphere was usually lively, with jazz music and dancing common features.

The rise of speakeasies also fueled organized crime, as gangs and criminal syndicates controlled the production, distribution, and sale of illegal alcohol. Notable gangsters like Al%20Capone profited immensely from the black market alcohol trade.

With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, most speakeasies disappeared, though their legacy lives on in modern bars and cocktail culture, some of which are styled after the original hidden bars.