My best friend Stephani is coming to visit us this weekend, and as always, I am very excited to see her! She only lives across the state, but we don't get to get together nearly often enough. I'm also (cautiously) geeked about the opening of a new bar in town, a 1930s speakeasy-style joint that is claiming to specialize in classic cocktails. (Hence the above photo from RustBeltThreads' shop, which aside from cute vintage fashion, has a a great selection of vintage barware.)
[Prohibition, of course, wasn't all flapper fun and good times in speakeasies. For an interesting read about Prohibition's effects on society, specifically in New York, check out Dry Manhattan by Michael A. Lerner. And I've just added Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent to my reading list.]
In anticipation of checking out this place, I was inspired to search out Prohibition era stuff on Etsy.
Cream raw silk flapper dress from greatestfriend.
Deco rhinestone bracelet from jeanjeanvintage.
Peach crêpe de Chine chemise (that is also a romper!) from DearGoldenVintage.
Silver 1920s mary janes from thegetupvintage.
If it fit me, I would wear this 1930s gown and jacket from the shop, but since it doesn't, I might instead just force Andy to bob my hair for me (no time to schedule a proper haircut, and four days in a row of near-90s temps are getting to me).
This gorgeous deco compact by American Elgin from Coloradofinds would make the perfect flapper accessory.
I love this sepia photo of a 1920s French couple, from comeungarcon.
And a photo of an actual former speakeasy (which I've visited!), Chicago's Green Mill, by helenesmith.
Love this Prohibition era sheet music celebrating one of the earliest home-based businesses! From MyMusicNation.
I'll probably be mixing up some Hendrick's and tonics for Stephani and me, but I really wish I owned this wood-bound 1939 Just Cocktails book, from usedbooks.
To see some more great Etsy speakeasy style finds, check out the treasury I made on Etsy (click photo to see the treasury full size on Etsy).
Chin chin!
xo
K
This is awesome! Thanks for including my vintage decanter among so many amazing finds :)
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check out those books you mentioned above. I went on a local Buffalo tour that took us around to a bunch of bars that had been opened since the pre-prohibition days. There were so many little rooms and secret doors, that it was amazing that the owners didn't get lost in their own establishments.
Keep us posted on the bar....sounds promising!
Sounds like such a facinating time in history, great post!! I love those shoes too, and that photo is so sweet!!
ReplyDeleteFrom Carys of La Ville Inconnue
Karen! I hope that bar proves to be worthy of the era :) I am super excited to be a part of this post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteoooh! i've been on the hunt for some kitschy bar ware...great tip!
ReplyDeletex's and o's
mamushka marie
love your blog and shop! and Speakeasy-what a great theme, too. Thanks SO much for including my "Green Mill and Conversation" photo! <3
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. The Just Cocktails book was made by a company called Three Mountaineers, that was located in Asheville, NC. They used to have these great warehouse sales, where you could go in and get lots of wooden items for cheap. They closed sometime in the late 80s or early 90s.
ReplyDeleteThey made another book called Here's How, with 3 singing bartenders mixing drinks in a big pot!