Joe Sent Me
What’s the deal with The Club Durant, the Stork Club, The Cotton Club, and The Club Richman? They all gave Prohibition the ol’ heave-ho, turning a blind-eye to those pesky rules about no booze. Who cares about the law, am I right? Hanging out at George Lamaze’s swanky joint, the Park Avenue Club, you’d rub elbows with judges, top-notch lawyers, and their soon-to-be clients. And let me tell ya, in the Big Apple alone, there were about 32,000 speakeasies to choose from. Talk about good company!
But don’t think just anyone could waltz in. Nah, you had to be in the know. You had to know the spots, the secret knocks, and you simply had to say “Joe sent me.” And Bam! The Real McCoy flowed like water, but of course, it came at a price. So raise your glass and let me school you on some of the famous and not-so-famous speakeasies from the heyday of that grand social experiment. Cheers!
48th Street In the shadowy world of Prohibition-era New York, Owney “The Killer” Madden reigned as a kingpin of nightlife, his fingers in more clubs than anyone could count. Fresh out of...
Address: Somewhere in Gramercy Park Nestled in the Gramercy Park Historical District, Pete’s Tavern is a living relic of New York City’s storied past, proudly wearing its title as “the...
Address: W. 52nd Street Place Piqualie, nestled on West 52nd Street, was a curious gem of New York City during the Prohibition era. Unlike the bustling speakeasies of the time, this bar operated with...
Address: 58th Street Near Broadway Step into the Park Avenue Club at 128 E. 58th Street, a glittering jewel in the heart of Manhattan’s nightlife. Owned by the infamous Owney “The...
Address: ??? The Trocadero was the epitome of glamour during New York City’s Prohibition era, a speakeasy where the illicit thrill of forbidden liquor mingled with the dazzle of high society...
Address: Union Square Neighborhood In the heart of the bustling Union Square neighborhood, Craig’s Restaurant emerged from the shadows of Old Town Bar’s storied past, transforming into a...
Address: ? Down on 32nd Street, The Cloverleaf was the quintessential speakeasy of Prohibition-era New York, a place where the city’s most notorious figures mingled amidst the smoky allure of...
West 54th Street The Club Abbey, a place of sour memory, was a notorious speakeasy on West 54th Street that epitomized the dark and gritty underbelly of 1920s New York. Known for its loud, raucous...
216 West 44th Street Located at 216 West 44th Street, Club Alabam’ was a vibrant epicenter of 1920s New York nightlife, capturing the exuberance and decadence of the Jazz Age. Known for its...
7 East 54th, Between Park and Madison Tucked away at 7 East 54th Street, between Park and Madison, Bill’s was a hidden gem of New York’s Prohibition era, transformed from a stately...
80 West 40th Street Nestled on the eighth floor, The Beaux Arts Restaurant was an oasis of glamour and defiance during the tumultuous years of Prohibition in New York. With the dazzling Fay Marbe...
Riverdale Avenue and West 236th Street Riley’s Arrowhead Inn, nestled at the bustling intersection of Riverdale Avenue and West 236th Street, was a renowned speakeasy during the era of...
12 Norfolk Street at Delancey Street Located at 12 Norfolk Street at Delancey Street, “The Back of Ratner’s,” now known as “The Back Room,” stands as a living testament...
Address: 128 E. 58th Street Step into the Park Avenue Club at 128 E. 58th Street, a glittering jewel in the heart of Manhattan’s nightlife. Owned by the infamous Owney “The Killer”...
Address? During the early years of prohibition in New York City, amid a vibrant and lively speakeasy scene, The Bal Tabarin stood out as one of the city’s premier destinations for entertainment...
86 Bedford Street Located at 86 Bedford Street in New York City, Chumley’s is a historic speakeasy with a rich literary legacy. Since its establishment in 1922, this clandestine watering hole...
Northwest Corner of 142nd Street and Lenox Avenue The Cotton Club, a legendary New York City speakeasy, remains an icon of the Roaring Twenties. Established in 1923 in Harlem, this opulent jazz club...
123 West 45th Street The El Fey Club, a notable New York City prohibition speakeasy, was founded in 1922 by the horse-faced racketeer, Larry Fay. Alongside his venture, Fay also opened Fay’s...
Corner of Broadway and 58th Avenue Located at the corner of Broadway and 58th Avenue, The Rendezvous Club was a notorious speakeasy during the era of Prohibition. Infamous for its connections to the...
46th Street Step back in time to the roaring 1920s and immerse yourself in the clandestine world of The Parady Club in Manhattan, a notorious prohibition-era speakeasy that captured the essence of the...
58th Street Near Broadway Located on 58th Street near Broadway, The Club Durant was a New York City prohibition speakeasy that bore the name of the infamous Jimmy Durante, known for his peculiar sense...
21 W. 52nd Street, Between 5th and 6th Avenue During Prohibition, the 21 Club in Manhattan, New York, stood as an iconic speakeasy, shrouded in secrecy and allure. Hidden behind an unassuming...
151 W 54th Street The 300 Club holds a storied history in the realm of illicit Prohibition-era ventures, spearheaded by the renowned emcee of the El Fey Club, Texas Guinan. Embarking on her journey as...