Speakeasy in ROTTERDAM
Rotterdam has a Speakeasy bar. You may ask ‘a speak … what?’ A Speakeasy is a secret bar that will only let you in with a password and that is located at a ‘secret’ address. You probably didn’t know that and we managed to keep it a secret, as was the intention. But what exactly is a Speakeasy and where does the name come from? We’ll tell you below.
speakeasy
Speakeasy is an English term for a bar that sold alcoholic drinks illegally during prohibition in the United States of America from 1920 to 1933, which the sale and production of alcoholic beverages was banned. The speakeasies got their liquor from illegal bootleggers (smugglers), and were thus often linked to organized crime.
Prohibition usually refers to the attempt by the United States in the 1920’s to completely ban the sale and production of alcohol, and in doing so combat the consumption of alcohol and alcoholism in the United States. Drinking alcohol was itself not banned.
Speakeasies emerged in the United States in the years of Prohibition (1920-1933, longer in some states). During that time, the sale, production and transportation (smuggling) of alcoholic beverages in the United States was illegal. After Prohibition ended in 1933, speakeasy styles largely disappeared. The speakeasy trend was brought to life again in 2000.
The word emerged in the 1880’s in the United States. A newspaper article of March 21, 1889 refers to a “speak easy” as a “saloon selling without a license”. Speakeasies were “called by that name because of the habit to refer to them in public or in private in a low voice, so as not to alert the police of neighbors”.
Different names
Speakeasies were given a variety of names. The terms ‘blind pig’ and ‘blind tiger’ emerged in the United States in the 19th century. They were applied to establishments selling liquor illegally and they are still being used. The owner of an establishment (like a saloon or bar) would ask customers to see an attraction (like an animal) and then serve them a ‘free’ alcoholic beverage, thus circumventing the law. “Blind tiger” also referred to an illegal establishment where the seller’s identity was hidden.
verkochten, en ze zijn nog steeds in gebruik. De exploitant van een etablissement (zoals een saloon of bar) zou klanten vragen om een attractie (zoals een dier) te zien en vervolgens een “gratis” alcoholische drank serveren, waarmee de wet werd omzeild. “Blinde tijger” verwees ook naar illegale drankgelegenheden waarin de identiteit van de verkoper verborgen was.
Moonshining
The quality of the alcohol being sold in the speakeasies varied from appalling to excellent, depending on the owner’s source. Generally speaking, poor quality liquor was used because it was cheaper. The term Moonshining was coined at that time. The liquor was produced in secret distilleries, usually at night, when the moon was out, and then driven to the bars.
The poor quality bootleg liquor that was sold in some speakeasies led to the emergence of the 19th century “classic” cocktails, masking the raw flavor of the liquor (like the gin cocktail, made with (sweet) gin, and new cocktails aimed at reinforcing the flavor.
Speakeasies are often located in mysterious and secret locations and getting access isn’t easy. Often, to be allowed inside, you need a password.
See it your self
You’re most likely curious as to what a speakeasy looks like in the 21st century. Do you want to see the Speakeasy in Rotterdam with your own eyes, and of course taste the amazing cocktails or, better yet, actually acquire the skills needed to make them yourself?
Book a Cocktail workshop in our Speakeasy Rotterdam!
