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Speakeasies
Since Prohibition had caused the closing of most saloons people needed to find new places to go to let off steam and have a good time. Many saloon owners just took their business underground; into basements, attics, almost anywhere there was a vacant room. Speakeasies were disguised as other businesses, like soda shops, cafes and social clubs. They were referred to as Speakeasies because of the need to keep quite about the real purpose of the establishment, so they were only talked about in whispers or to "speak easy".
To enter most Speakeasies you had to use a secret knock, a special handshake or password. Many Speakeasies provided music, dancing and other types of entertainment for their patrons. Unlike the saloon women were welcome to enter the Speakeasies. Women had just gotten the right to vote six months after Prohibition and they were starting to become more sure of themselves and enjoy their new freedoms.
In a few years there were more speakeasies then there had been saloons, in some areas you could find up to ten times more speakeasies then there had been saloons. In New York City there was believed to be 100,000 speakeasies. The "Jazz Age" was also believed to be a big reason for the popularity of the Speakeasies.
Before Prohibition people went to saloons as much for a place to gather socially as to drink, but after Prohibition many people went to the Speakeasy to get drunk.
To enter most Speakeasies you had to use a secret knock, a special handshake or password. Many Speakeasies provided music, dancing and other types of entertainment for their patrons. Unlike the saloon women were welcome to enter the Speakeasies. Women had just gotten the right to vote six months after Prohibition and they were starting to become more sure of themselves and enjoy their new freedoms.
In a few years there were more speakeasies then there had been saloons, in some areas you could find up to ten times more speakeasies then there had been saloons. In New York City there was believed to be 100,000 speakeasies. The "Jazz Age" was also believed to be a big reason for the popularity of the Speakeasies.
Before Prohibition people went to saloons as much for a place to gather socially as to drink, but after Prohibition many people went to the Speakeasy to get drunk.