From the Temperance Movement to Speakeasies: A Look Back at a Tumultuous Era That Redefined the Nation’s Relationship with Alcohol
By Andrea Hampe
Prohibition stands as one of the most captivating chapters in American history, reflecting a bold yet ultimately flawed experiment in legislating morality. This turbulent period, from 1920 to 1933, attempted to banish alcohol from American life. However, instead of achieving its intended goals of reducing crime and promoting public morality, Prohibition birthed an era marked by defiance, rebellion, and a thriving underground culture. From its roots in the Temperance Movement to the era’s cultural and societal impacts, Prohibition’s rise and fall left a lasting mark on the American landscape, influencing the nation’s relationship with alcohol and government authority for generations to come.
The Origins of Prohibition
The early 20th century was a period of intense social and political change in the United States. Industrialization had transformed the nation’s cities, while waves of immigration had altered the cultural makeup of society. In response to these shifts, a growing movement emerged to address the perceived social problems increased by alcohol consumption. The Temperance Movement, led by groups like the Anti-Saloon League and the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, sought to eliminate society from the problems associated with alcohol.
Driven largely by religious and moral passion, temperance advocates argued that alcohol was responsible for a host of social problems, including crime, poverty, domestic violence, and declining moral standards. Alcohol consumption was portrayed not just as a personal failing but as a national crisis that threatened the very fabric of American society. Proponents believed that by prohibiting alcohol, the United States would become a more virtuous and productive country, free from the corruption and vice associated with drunkenness.
This belief found widespread support, particularly in rural areas and among middle-class Protestants. As the movement gained momentum, political leaders began to adopt Prohibition as part of their platform. By 1919, the Temperance campaign reached its peak with the ratification of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors, marking the official start of the Prohibition era.
To enforce the amendment, Congress passed the Volstead Act, which provided the legal framework for cracking down on the production and distribution of alcohol. While there was initial optimism that this would transform society and reduce crime, the reality proved far more complicated and, in many ways, contradictory to the movement’s goals.
Life Under Prohibition
Rather than eliminating alcohol from American life, Prohibition fueled the rise of an extensive black market. While the sale and production of alcohol were officially banned, the public’s demand for alcohol did not simply vanish. In fact, the allure of forbidden liquor only grew stronger, particularly among younger generations who saw the restrictions as an opportunity to defy authority. The 1920s, often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties,” became synonymous with an era of rebellion, cultural change, and excess.
The most iconic symbols of this era were the speakeasies—hidden, illicit bars that catered to those willing to break the law for a drink. Speakeasies could be found in every corner of the country, from the basements of New York City to rural hideaways in the Midwest. These establishments often operated with the tacit cooperation of law enforcement, many of whom were bribed or turned a blind eye to the booming underground alcohol trade. In New York City alone, there were an estimated 30,000 speakeasies by 1925, a testament to the public’s widespread disregard for Prohibition laws.
This underground world was not just limited to the sale of alcohol but was also a hub for other forms of entertainment. Jazz music, characterized by its improvisation and energetic rhythm, became the soundtrack of the era, filling speakeasies with a lively, rebellious spirit. The image of the flapper—a young woman defying societal norms by wearing short skirts, bobbing her hair, and drinking in public—came to symbolize the era’s break with tradition.
While speakeasies thrived, organized crime syndicates seized control of the alcohol trade. Figures like Al Capone in Chicago became notorious for their involvement in bootlegging, the illegal production and distribution of alcohol. These criminal organizations grew wealthy and powerful, engaging in violent turf wars and corrupting local governments. Far from reducing crime, Prohibition often exacerbated it, as law enforcement agencies struggled to contain the criminal enterprises that emerged to meet the public’s demand for alcohol.
Despite the efforts of federal authorities to crack down on illegal alcohol, Prohibition proved to be largely unenforceable. The complexity of policing a nationwide ban, combined with widespread public disobedience, made the era one of the most lawless in American history. In many ways, Prohibition represented a paradox: an era of moral idealism that resulted in widespread defiance and criminality.
The Fall of Prohibition
By the late 1920s, it had become clear that Prohibition was a failed experiment. Rather than reducing crime and improving public morals, the ban on alcohol had contributed to rising violence, corruption, and social unrest. Additionally, the government was losing valuable tax revenue that had once been collected from alcohol sales—a loss that became particularly important during the Great Depression of the 1930s, when every dollar of revenue was desperately needed.
Public sentiment began to shift as the economic and social costs of Prohibition became more evident. Calls for repeal grew louder, and by 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a staunch advocate for ending Prohibition, signed the 21st Amendment, officially repealing the 18th Amendment. The 21st Amendment remains unique in American history as the only constitutional amendment to fully repeal another.
The repeal of Prohibition was met with widespread celebration. Repeal Day, December 5, 1933, became a day of jubilation as Americans flocked to bars and restaurants to legally enjoy alcohol for the first time in over a decade. For many, the end of Prohibition represented a victory for personal freedom and a rejection of overreaching government control.
In the years following Prohibition, the regulation of alcohol became a more balanced affair, with state and federal governments implementing systems for the legal sale and distribution of alcohol. Today, while certain “dry” counties and communities still exist, the vast majority of Americans have the freedom to purchase and consume alcohol within a regulated framework.
Taking You Back in Time
One of the lasting cultural legacies of Prohibition is the enduring fascination with the speakeasy and the Roaring Twenties. Today, cities across the country are home to modern-day speakeasies – bars that recreate the ambiance of the 1920s with hidden or obscure entrances, vintage decor, and classic cocktails. One such establishment, Red Phone Booth, offers an immersive “Prohibition Experience.” Venues transport guests back in time, allowing them to experience the glamour and mystery of the Prohibition era.
First opened in Downtown Atlanta in September 2016, this exclusive lounge has since expanded to locations across the country, including right down the road in The Colony, Texas, where guests can transport themselves back to the Roaring Twenties. At Red Phone Booth, patrons enter by dialing a secret code into an antique red phone booth, revealing a hidden speakeasy that captures the mystery and charm of the Prohibition era.
“My grandfather was a gentleman who was a pharmacist during the Prohibition era, prescribing whiskey for medicinal purposes…he was also an avid cigar smoker,” shared Founder Stephen De Haan. De Haan’s grandfather had a leatherbound cocktail book full of cocktail recipes from the 1930s and he gave Stephen a lesson on how ladies and gentlemen served ladies and gentlemen during that era. “So, take his passion for cigars, and these cocktails, and prescribing whiskey for medicinal purposes during Prohibition, and that’s where Red Phone Booth comes from…it’s almost an homage to my grandfather,” explained De Haan.
Each December, Red Phone Booth hosts Repeal Day celebrations at all of its locations, inviting patrons to step back in time with classic cocktails, vintage décor, and a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. “Each year, Red Phone Booth recognizes National Repeal Day with an elaborate celebration of the repeal of Prohibition, which took place on Dec. 5, 1933,” said Nick Lamb, Red Phone Booth’s Director of Business Development. “The United States was a dry country for more than 13 years when Prohibition ended, allowing Americans to once again legally consume alcohol. Now that’s worth celebrating with a craft cocktail indeed.” Since 2016, these Repeal Day Parties have become annual traditions, honoring the end of Prohibition and keeping the spirit of the era alive.
On Tuesday, December 5th, 2024, Red Phone Booth – The Colony will celebrate the end of Prohibition with a night full of roaring 1930s fun and vintage glamour. The party kicks off at 6 p.m. with light bites and a crafted welcome cocktail to set the mood. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., guests will enjoy live entertainment by Caruthers & Delane, capturing the jazzy spirit of the era.
Attendees are invited to come dressed in their finest 1930s attire for a chance to win Best Dressed Male or Female and enjoy raffles with exclusive prizes throughout the evening. Don’t forget to don a flapper dress, fedoras, and suspenders to fully immerse yourself in the ambiance of 1933 during a night of cocktails, vintage charm, and celebration, just like they did on that momentous night in 1933.
In addition to Repeal Day, Red Phone Booth offers a range of exclusive member events throughout the year, including whiskey, scotch, tequila, and cigar pairings. Members enjoy annual gatherings like the Kentucky Derby Party, Halloween, New Year’s Eve, and the Annual Anniversary Party held at each location. The experience extends beyond just cocktails and ambiance. Red Phone Booth prides itself on offering classic craft cocktails made with hand-chipped ice and fresh-squeezed juices daily, alongside access to a humidor with more than 200 cigar selections and personalized cut and light services. For more details about Red Phone Booth’s history and events, visit their website, redphonebooth.com/the-colony.
The allure of this era lives on in spaces like Red Phone Booth, where the legacy of Prohibition, resilience, and rebellion is celebrated. Here, guests can raise a glass to freedom and enjoy an evening transcending time.
By raising a glass on Repeal Day or stepping into a speakeasy, we pay homage to an era that, for better or worse, shaped the United States in profound and lasting ways. Prohibition’s rise and fall serves as a reminder of the challenges of legislating morality and the resilience of American society in the face of sweeping social change.
Andrea Hampe is a content writer, mom of three boys, and a youth sports fanatic.
