The old Little Club was a cocktail of rebellion and razzle-dazzle, tucked in among the brash, roaring joints that defined early Prohibition. While the Palais Royal waltzed with Paul Whiteman and the Moulin Rouge twirled in its Parisian fantasies, the Little Club was pure American swagger—loud, crowded, and dripping with bootleg whiskey. It belonged to […]
51 1/2 E. 51st Street Tucked behind an unassuming doorway at 51 ½ E. 51st Street, the Stork Club wasn’t just swanky—it was a velvet-roped paradox. Officially licensed but cloaked in the glamour of prohibition-era rebellion, it served up cocktails with a side of intrigue. The crowds may have looked ordinary, but the whispers weren’t:
Barney Gallant, a Hungarian-born entrepreneur with a flair for the illicit and the extravagant, carved out a name for himself in the roaring underbelly of 1920s Greenwich Village. A longtime Village resident and member of the Liberal Club, Gallant was more than just a businessman—he was a provocateur, an impresario of the forbidden. Before launching
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 Sing Sing in 1923, Madden carved out a niche far above the city’s lower criminal circles, distancing himself from the likes of the
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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 Tavern that O. Henry made famous.” This iconic establishment, dating back to 1829, has seen more than its fair share of history, including a Civil
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 a rare license, but paradoxically, it often found itself short on liquor. Perhaps it was the limited supply of booze, or
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 Killer” Madden and fronted by the ever-charming George LaMaze, this is where high society mingles with the underworld, all under the glow of a
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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. The air hummed with the smooth melodies of Emil Coleman’s orchestra, a soundtrack that perfectly complemented the grace and elegance of Fred and Adele
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 clandestine speakeasy that epitomized the rebellious spirit of the 1920s. Originally known as Viemeister’s since its establishment in 1882, the bar had long been a cornerstone of
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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 illicit freedom. With its cozy dancefloor and the spirited melodies of Harry Ford and the Indiana Five, the atmosphere was always electric. The club’s clientele
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 atmosphere and the infamous “Cuff Corner,” where sinister characters always occupied the free pews, it was a hub of shady
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 agile brownskin shows, the club thrived during the African trend that swept through the city’s entertainment scene. Amidst this cultural explosion, Club
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 brownstone into one of the city’s most spirited speakeasies in the 1920s. As you stepped through what was once a clandestine entrance, the
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 providing nightly entertainment, the venue was a beacon for those seeking refuge from the dry, sober world below. The Beaux Arts
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