The Secret Behind Speakeasies

Written by Sophia Spiegel | Designed by Poppy Livingstone | Photographed by Chika Okoye

The latest whisperings on the Boston circuit make for one of the city’s most ill-kept secrets: speakeasies. Steeped in Prohibition-era discretion and the glorified Gatsby-esque aesthetic, modern speakeasies harken back to the days of the 1920s, but, now, the alcohol is legal.

A century ago, Boston nightlife went belly-up when the Eighteenth Amendment outlawed the production, transportation, and sale of alcohol with the passage of the Volstead Act. While this era marked the “official” time of death for legal taverns and saloons, it also birthed the creation of bootleggers, those who illegally trafficked liquor, and speakeasies, which were illegal bars operating in the shadows of law enforcement. Thus, American social life was reborn into a rambunctious style of partying, dating, and of course, drinking in secret.

Despite the law of the land, alcohol flowed freely in these dimly lit, underground, inconspicuous locations: the ideal home for speakeasies (also known as blind pigs or gin joints). Disguised as mundane businesses such as barber and soda shops, and marketed by word of mouth and gossip, these illicit bars gained an esteemed reputation as the epicenter of cosmopolitan entertainment. The term speakeasy stems from the cryptic entry, a staple of the speakeasy experience, in which one would have to speak quietly (so as not to be heard by law enforcement) while delivering a password, secret handshake, or even knock on the door in the correct manner to gain access.

Once inside, patrons would be greeted with live entertainment, extravagant cocktails, and delightful hors d’oeuvres. Jazz, in particular, gained a newfound popularity in speakeasies as its intricate combination of melody, swing notes, and improvisational techniques created a soulful tone, suitable for jam-packed dance floors and crowded burrows. To mask the taste of prohibitive chemicals looming in the industrial alcohol circulating at the time, bar keepers added sweeteners to mixed-drinks, creating a whimsical blend of savory beverages (an added bonus of concealing the paraphernalia from police).

Ultimately, the clandestine nature of these bars added to the allure, which is being revitalized around the country and especially here in Boston. Today, hidden within the nooks and crannies of the city, speakeasies are housed in discrete locations such as back rooms attached to restaurants or basements. The ambiance and decor reflects that of the Prohibition-era while camouflaged entrances add some much needed spice to the standard night-out.

The most recent addition to the Boston watering hole, Next Door Speakeasy and Raw Bar, is disguised as a vintage locksmith, but passers-by must look closely to notice the cocktail-making equipment hiding in the storefront window. Concealed on the patio of Pazza on Porter in East Boston, visitors must wave their hand in front of the hidden entrance blended into a blue brick wall to be let in (only after whispering the “password of the night” to the doorman). Once inside, visitors are transported into the hallmark of the oldschool speakeasy experience. The lock-and-key themed, blue velvet decor, and “dress to impress” dress code makes for a chic, classical ambiance that most bars nowadays lack. Here, guests are invited to sip on experimental cocktails and pick at the raw bar and charcuterie menu while soothed by jazz renditions of current American pop. Their signature drink, the Lock & Key, is a new spin on the classic piña colada that is served inside a small treasure chest, emitting smoke and golden light when opened. The bar’s specific attention to detail, from ice cubes engraved with their lock and key logos to 19 original cocktails crafted by Bar Manager Josue Castillo, makes for an unforgettable night-out experience. Reservations can be made for Thursday-Sunday with hours from 5pm-1am.

Buried in an alleyway of Boston’s Leather District on the other side of the city lies a speakeasy of the opposite nature, Offsuit, an extension of French restaurant Troquet on South. To find it, guests must search for the unobtrusive door marked only with the number five in the Utica street alleyway. Once found, patrons call the phone number printed on the door to be let in, amplifying the elusiveness by evading the traditional knock. Inside, the bar offers a much more intimate setting with dim-lighting and a 20-seat cocktail bar offered on a first come first serve basis from 5pm to 1am on Tuesday-Thursday and 4pm-1am on Fridays and Saturdays. With cozy and intimate as the goal, the bar serves drinks ranging from go-to originals to reimagined classics, such as the Lounge Act, a blend of chamomile-infused apple brandy, dry curaçao, and falernum. With a focus on spinning vinyl and emphasizing eras with curated music and wine of the same years, Offsuit appeals to those in search of the timeless comfort of a good-old-fashioned, private pub.

While the Boston drinking culture is known to be vibrant and varied on the surface, an underground bar crawl through the urban burrows may be just what sets this city’s nightlife apart from others. With a complex history surrounding the legality of alcohol, it is only fitting that the city pay tribute to its days of undercover entertainment with a modern spin on Prohibition-era speakeasies. While not-so-secret anymore, Boston’s spirited, young drinking culture serves to revitalize the party scene with a throwback to its roots—but nowadays, there’s no need to be quiet about it.