Behind closed doors and hushed silences once lied places where one could revel and enjoy their drinks in peace. Yes, we’re talking about speakeasies – secret places with hidden doors, discreet signages, and a barely-there presence in the general public. Cut to 2025, and most original speakeasies around the world have melted away into nothingness, only to see a new ‘neo’-speakeasy movement shaping up across the world.
Bars and restaurants are paying homage to the elusive charm of speakeasies by re-introducing these places conceptually – and team unsobered thought of taking you on deep dive with us in this journey. Keep reading to know about the fascinating history of speakeasies, how they evolved in India, and how modern speakeasy bars are redefining the quintessential bar experience for the modern consumer.
The roaring 1920s in American history aren’t just remembered for flapper dresses and the rise of cinema – they are also remembered for the Prohibition Era. And what was prohibited, you may ask? The answer is: production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcohol!
Was consumption of alcohol banned during the Prohibition Era?
No, consumption was not banned, and while you may think consumption would’ve automatically reduced drastically with no alcohol being made, imported, or sold, but you’re not quite right there. The Prohibition Era did not prohibit consumption of alcohol, and it became one of the few factors that led to the rise of speakeasies.
The Prohibition Era lasted for 13 whole years, from 1920 to 1933, under the terms of the Eighteenth Amendment. You can read more about the Prohibition Era in our Prohibition Era - Everything You Need To Know About This article!
Naturally, this blanket ban led to people resorting to discreet and often unconventional ways of producing, consuming, and selling liquor. Many people began making liquor on their own and illegally importing liquor – most of which were also sold at secret bars called speakeasies.
These bars were hidden away from the public eyes, in the dark corners of American cities. They often had strict ‘passcodes’, entry rules, and operated in secrecy – in fact, people entering were instructed to speak softly to avoid revealing their location to the outside world. Hence, the name ‘speakeasy’!
Speakeasies as a concept quickly grew in popularity – with estimates suggesting that there were about 30,000 to 1,00,000 speakeasies in New York City alone! Clearly, people were not getting enough of alcohol!
“Necessity is the mother of invention”
This old adage turned out to be true in the Prohibition era as people began experimenting with whatever they could find and essentially ‘playing’ with the ingredients and spirits at hand. Boom! The world just got some of its most iconic cocktails – ironically in an era when alcohol was banned! These cocktails were invented in speakeasies around the United States and got more and more refined, especially after the end of the Prohibition Era.
Some of the most iconic cocktails that were invented in the Prohibition Era are as follows:
The rise of speakeasies can be traced to many cities in India but nothing compares to what Mumbai experienced. Between 1939 and 1962, ‘Prohibition Era’ grabbed Mumbai by its collar and halted any kind of legal sale, manufacturing, or import of alcohol. And just like how it went in the US, Mumbai saw the rise of its own speakeasies – where women took the charge (mostly).
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Mumbai saw the rise of speakeasy bars in its hidden corners, ends of dimly-lit streets, and other discreet places where women ran operations and served alcohol. This was a smart trick to escape the eyes of the police who would not usually draw suspicion on a woman engaging in illegal activities at that time.
‘Aunty bars’, a cheeky name they derived, became popular throughout the city. Women would often serve cheap quality country liquor with a delicious side of chakna food – usually eggs, fried meats, fried snacks, or just something to nibble on while you gulped down your glass of poorly made booze.
These aunty bars shaped Mumbai’s culture, becoming hush-hush places to silently rebel against the laws that prohibited alcohol.
While speakeasies back in the day were about survival and rebellion, modern speakeasies are popping up to honor their legacy. Speakeasies today are designed to ‘look’ and ‘feel’ like those that vanished with time, with a better food and drinks menu (and higher prices) of course!
And while these bars capture the essence of the old speakeasies, the cocktail menus too pay ode to the nostalgia. These cocktails take you to the dingy bars of the pre-internet era, especially with the ingredients, the techniques, and sometimes even the fascinating lore behind a drink. Are they expensive? Many of them are. But do they serve amazing cocktails, food, and a fun vibe? Definitely, a big YES!
Here are some of the world’s most iconic modern speakeasy bars you must visit:
Modern speakeasies are becoming more and more common in India, thanks to the rise of the Gen Z and millennials who choose a fun experience over just overpriced drinks at a fancy, bougie bar. These spaces are not just meant for booze, they carry forward the legacy of bars that stood as symbols of rebellion. Bars that served food and drinks away from the public eye and invented some of the most iconic cocktails you consume today. Which modern speakeasy bar do you plan to visit this weekend?
