Did you know that speakeasies were most often marked with a green door? I was curious to locate a historical speakeasy. I researched the Chicago Tribune and found a list of secret watering holes. The Green Door Tavern harbored one such establishment . . . hidden downstairs.
We ate dinner in the Tavern and asked our waitress about going below for a drink after our meal. She winked and explained, “Just knock on the shelf and Liz will open the door.” We inquired about a password, but there wasn’t one. We joked that she should tell every customer a different code word just to amuse Liz.
We descended the stairway at the back of the restaurant to find a knickknack shelf. We knocked and the door opened.
The bar was well stocked in the musty, plaster-speared brick space.
We were escorted to our bench seat under a Pegasus sign riddled with bullet holes.
This secretive basement bar is an authentic speakeasy from the prohibition era. On October 28, 1919, Congress passed the Volstead Act, the popular name for the National Prohibition Act, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. The act established the legal definition of intoxicating liquors as well as penalties for producing them. Prohibition was a nationwide constitutional ban until December 5, 1933. Ironically the “noble experiment” — had been introduced as a way to reduce crime and corruption, solve social problems, reduce the tax burden created by prisons and poorhouses, and improve health and hygiene in America. The constitution was designed to provide FREEDOMS for Americans, not take away rights.
Americans moved “underground” to produce and distribute spirits. As a result crime and violence increased. Tens of thousands of people died because of prohibition-related violence and drinking unregulated booze. The big experiment came to an end in 1933 when the Twenty-first Amendment was ratified by 36 of the 48 states. … Prohibition was repealed because it was an unenforceable policy.
Tarot cards were placed before us and a one page menu of “small plates” were available to counteract the alcohol consumption. Each tarot card described a unique mixed drink with an equally ‘one of a kind’ name. I gravitated toward the “Snozzberry,” a Willy Wonka specialty. YUM! I can’t remember if I had three or four . . . Chuck aimed to sample the collection.
The two couples at the closely set table chimed in,”Bols in a Vice” sounds interesting.” The man next to me raised his eyebrows. How about, “Dingo Stole My Baby?” one of the women asked. ” ‘Risk and Reward’ is the one for me.” Chuck stated. The pairs had traveled from Minnesota for the weekend. Diane and Sue had been friends since high school and planned an annual fall get away. The two had a charm of understanding between them. Sharing memories over a lifetime brings a dimension of richness to our lives. I admired their kinship.
Their respective men were good sports enjoying the history of the establishment. Suddenly, Bill states, “We need code names if we get caught escaping a raid!” We were all drawn into this caper. “I’d be Wrench.” Bill nods. I have worked in plumbing for years. “I want my name to be Pockets because you never know what I’ve got up my sleeve.” Jim, the other cohort grinned. “I’d be Poppins.” I offered. “As an early elementary teacher I could magically manipulate children to make learning fun.” “Umbrella, because I am Poppin’s sidekick”, Chuck said. Diane and Sue had a more difficult time creating alias’ for themselves but finally decided on Thelma and Louise.
As we bantered and planned our escape routes, a movie was playing on the curtain. It was the charming “Steamboat Willie” aka Mickey Mouse. Suddenly, the curtain was drawn back and there was a blues singer. He played two original songs focused on politics. It was rare to hear a blues performer apply this style to current topics. (Pictured below is a different performer.)
A gaggle of ladies was seated next to us. The bridesmaids cheered, whooped and laughed loudly celebrating their friend, the bride, Sarah. We shared that a fisherman witnessed our proposal and said, “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Doubts at these life stages are typical, but this young lady wasn’t to be swayed, “It was LOVE at first sight.” She announced with a drink sloshing in her hand.
Liz Pearce, the bartender, shared that the building used to be an Italian market which discretely covered the speakeasy in the basement. Gesturing to the tarot cards Liz explained, “I get bored really easily, so I wanted to be able to change up my menu often. It was important for me to have a menu that was easily changeable, so we could swap out drinks and keep things fresh.” Each night, the staff selects seven to 11 drinks from the 45-card stack.
Another staff member approached carrying a Budda cookie jar. For ten dollars one can pull out a fortune. Some fortunes have a cocktail listed which you’d get ‘for free.’ Chuck couldn’t resist and handed a bill to the waitress. Sure enough he ‘won’ a ‘free’ drink. When it arrived many of us tried a sip. It was strong and tasted like floor cleaner to me. I don’t have a desire for hard liquor, so I am not a good judge. Chuck polished it off. We were traveling by taxi, so we didn’t have to be concerned about being impaired behind the wheel.
The curtain swooped open again. A shirtless young man with dark curly hair appeared on stage. He juggled and swiftly rolled colored balls across his chest in a completely unique fashion. After his show we were able to chat with him. Josh had been born in France. He spoke with an accent. At sixteen years old, he’d joined the circus where he perfected his craft. He worked sporadically around Chicago at various venues with his bike as his transportation.
This journey allowed me a taste back in time. I plan to re-read, “The Great Gatsby” and I am looking forward to peering behind the curtain of more prohibition establishments in the future. The 2200 block of South Wabash was known as the LeVee District. Keep looking for more green doors!
Here’s an article listing North River speakeasies in Chicago. https://freetoursbyfoot.com/guide-to-chicago-speakeasies/
