Celebrate The 80th Anniversary Of The Repeal Of Prohibition In Chicago
By Mason Johnson
Today marks the 80th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition.
From 1920 to 1933 it was really hard to get a drink anywhere in the U.S. But, on December 5th of 1933, the 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment and honest citizens secretly drinking hootch in their basements and at speakeasies could finally, legally have a drink or two to relax without worrying about the fuzz.
Here's how to celebrate.
Grab A Cocktail
Ironically, some of your favorite cocktails were probably created during prohibition. Why, you ask, would there be an increase in the creation of alcoholic mixed drinks while alcohol itself was outlawed in the great, ol' U.S. of A?
Because the gin mobsters were sellin' often tasted so bad -- literally like the bathtubs they were brewed in -- that you needed something to take the edge off.
The South Side is one prohibition-era cocktail you can turn to if you want a taste of the past.
If you want great gin from a professional, you can also try one of the many cocktail bars in Chicago.
The Violet Hour has a good mix of cocktails, especially gin. If you specifically want a South Side, you can try Barrelhouse Flat. You can also try a Chicago Fizz, which actually predates Prohibition, at Watershed Bar...
