SpeakeasiesIn the 1920’s

Alcohol was outlawed in the

1920’s by Prohibition

Alcohol had to be hidden & smuggled into establishments

called “speakeasies”

A speakeasy was an establishment that sold

alcoholic beverages illegally

Given name because of

need to whisper or “speak easy”

To transport liquor people used flasks, false books,

coconut shells, and garden

hoses

In New York alone there were over 100,000

speakeasies

Speakeasies were very popular, many people went to drink

and have a good time

At a speakeasy you could also see shows, listen to live music, gamble, and dance

To go to a speakeasy for the first time

you had to be invited by a

member

People would have

membership cards to get

in or passwords

Owners would sit and

use peepholes in the door to

hear passwords

Cops were paid to turn their backs when alcohol was being delivered to

the speakeasies

When cops did find a speakeasy, they would raid it and shut it down

It was really expensive to run

a speakeasy.

Costs of security were

very high.

Speakeasies were very successful

Those who owned them became very

wealthy

Before Prohibition women were not

allowed into saloons

However, they were allowed into

speakeasies

The EndThanks for Watching!