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What is a speakeasy (today)?

post #1 of 16
7/2/08 at 5:11pm
Thread Starter 
I don't understand why the term speakeasy is used to describe some NY bars today when clearly alcohol is not prohibited. Any thoughts?
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post #2 of 16
7/2/08 at 5:17pm
I assume the term nowadays is used to describe places that don't advertise themselves (no signs outside etc), so one has to know about them through word-of-mouth. Or atleast that's what I've heard.
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post #3 of 16
7/2/08 at 5:20pm
A place with douchey guys and a password .
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post #4 of 16
7/2/08 at 5:21pm
A speakeasy is West24's mother.
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post #5 of 16
7/2/08 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Amiga View Post
I assume the term nowadays is used to describe places that don't advertise themselves (no signs outside etc), so one has to know about them through word-of-mouth. Or atleast that's what I've heard.
Pretty much. There's a spectrum, but the term describes a feel that an establishment is trying to create. Usually it tries to define the ambiance of the establishment, the style of cocktails they try to create, etc. I use the term to describe my favorite bar, but that said, it does not share some of the negative attitude traits of some of the NYC places that use it. They serve classic, old-school, hardcore cocktails made extremely well, with exceptional ingredients, in an elegant, but not ostentatios atmosphere. That's truly a pre-speakeasy 'American' bar, as real speakeasies would serve whatever they had, good and bad. Were there decidedly upscale speakeasies? I don't know. ~ Huntsman
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post #6 of 16
7/2/08 at 5:58pm
I would assume underground bars in which taxes are not paid. Probably bootleg liquor to circumvent those taxes as well.
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post #7 of 16
7/2/08 at 6:36pm
Some NYCers use the term to describe places that used by to "real" speakeasys. Chumley's (RIP?) is probably the most famous.
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post #8 of 16
7/2/08 at 11:12pm
LA has a pretty famous speakeasy. How it's famous and hasn't been broken up by cops is beyond me. It's located downtown and disguises itself as an art gallery. I guess like most speakeasys it used to be much more controlled when it opened a year or two ago; nowadays I've heard that the password is just a random name you say you're in a party with and that person made the reservation. Still, when it originally opened it was a decent bohemian free-for-all.
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post #9 of 16
7/2/08 at 11:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntsman View Post
I use the term to describe my favorite bar, but that said, it does not share some of the negative attitude traits of some of the NYC places that use it. They serve classic, old-school, hardcore cocktails made extremely well, with exceptional ingredients, in an elegant, but not ostentatios atmosphere.

Sounds like an excellent establishment. Care to share?

Arg
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post #10 of 16
7/2/08 at 11:53pm
Tacky places with fake '20s decor and a supposed "atmosphere."
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post #11 of 16
7/2/08 at 11:55pm
Quote:
Sounds like an excellent establishment. Care to share?
post em in my watering holes thread dammit
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post #12 of 16
7/3/08 at 10:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by iammatt View Post
A place with douchey guys and a password .

Quote:
Originally Posted by LabelKing View Post
Tacky places with fake '20s decor and a supposed "atmosphere."

+1 on both. Why not just have a nice bar with a genuine air of that era? Because it wouldn't be cool to have the riff-raff knowing about it.

Here in DC I guess drinking clubs are becoming more popular. A recent article really made me think they were nothing more than a place for people to get together with their friends and drink without having the nobodies around. Why not just have drinks at a friend's house?

b
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post #13 of 16
7/3/08 at 10:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kas View Post
I would assume underground bars in which taxes are not paid. Probably bootleg liquor to circumvent those taxes as well.

They do this in Groningen?
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post #14 of 16
7/3/08 at 1:20pm
double post, woops.
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post #15 of 16
7/3/08 at 1:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fritzl View Post
They do this in Groningen?

Not that I know of, but if you've got some money to spare we could set something up.
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