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!

Riley’s Arrowhead Inn

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...

The Back of Ratner’s

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...

The Back Stage Club

Address? The Back Stage Club in New York City was an iconic speakeasy during the Prohibition era, known for its vibrant nightlife and captivating performances. Serving as the Master of Ceremonies was...

Bal Tabarin

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...

Chumley’s

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...

The Cotton Club

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...

The El Fey 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...

The Rendezvous Club

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...

The Parady Club

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...

Club Durant

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...

The 21 Club

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...

300 Club

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...