Ah, Prohibition. That strange time in American history which ran from the passage of the Volstead Act in 1919 which outlawed booze throughout the land, until December 5, 1933 when the 21st Amendment was finally ratified and Prohibition was repealed. For those years when alcohol was officially illegal, speakeasy bars flourished, underground music and culture exploded, and, to cover up the harsh taste of all that bathtub gin, bartenders invented many of the classic cocktails we still recognize on modern menus.
The Roaring 20's retains an image of Jazz Age glamour in the American popular consciousness. Young women broke out of their repressive Victorian garb in favor of flapper fashions, big bands provided the soundtrack to swinging secret parties, social classes mixed, and cocktails flowed. So much so that many of the best craft cocktail bars of today turn to the style of that time for inspiration when it comes to drinks, decor, or even a bit of the speakeasy era secrecy.
Below, you'll find a list of some of our favorite drinking dens with a bit of that Prohibition Era vintage vibe. And, if you want to immerse yourself even more, you'll want to mark two 1920's theme parties on your December calendar. First, DoLA presents a Repeal Day party at The Continental Club on December 5th. This party will serve as a kick-off for a blow-out Prohibition NYE gala to be held at Union Station to end our current historical 'era' in style.
Top Speakeasy Cocktail Bars to Sip in Style
116 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
118 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
10797 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
2640 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
1233 N. Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Gardena Ave, Glendale, CA 91204
3843 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232
52 Winward Ave, Venice, CA 90291
