Hidden Pleasure (Prohibition A Speakeasy)

San Diego (Gaslamp),
548 5th Avenue (google maps)

The root meaning of Speakeasy comes from the 19th Century as in... speaking softly so as not to attract attention.

 

It is hard to believe that from 1920 to 1933 the production, sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages was illegal in the Unites States.  The Prohibition movement was also known as "The Noble Experiment" and was centered on the Temperance Movement's desire to establish codes of moral conduct free of the deliterious influence of alcohol and illcit drugs.

 

Fast forward 77 years and the speakeasy is experiencing a comeback, from New York to San Francisco and Atlanta to San Diego, the speakeasy is being talked about - ever so softly - in the more trend-setting circles, whispered about and blogged discreetly among bar and beverage afficianados and the keepers of cool.

 

San Diego has two iterations of this trend, the Noble Experiment located behind the Bar Neighborhood in East Village, and Prohibition located on 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp.  Tonight I visited Prohibiton with some friends for the first time, we loved it!  Perhaps it is because so many of us are seeking the unique and celebrate new discoveries, perhaps it is also that we are tired of being in non-descript premises full of quite ordinary people that some of us are retreating to these hidden and very private establishments.

 

Prohibition is far more of a pleasure to contact, reserve and arrive at than it's competition.  We were greated by a well-dressed and curteous staff member at the door, the ambiance is more subdued and we all agreed more classic and subtly elegant than the other "joint."  The bartenders, we enjoyed meeting and speaking with Tim, are passionate experts of their craft, mixologists with a mission to serve the freshest drinks.

 

Aside from a standard email guestlist based upon occupancy limites, there is a VIP List Priority entry that at $10 per person worked extremely well.  They also offer reserved booths with 5 seats and including 6 drinks for $120 including gratuity and priority entry for up to 5 people.  There is a large booth option for groups of 8 to 10 that includes 10 drinks, gratuity and priority entry for 8 people.

 

Speak softly and enjoy Speakeasy!

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