What? There are still speakeasies in Chicago? Come along with Chuck and I as we find The Drifter, a secret bar located behind a shelf in the basement of The Green Door Tavern. The Drifter had materialized one hundred years ago, sometime around 1920. The records are sketchy on the precise dates. Let’s go find this hidden Chicago treasure.

The Green Door Tavern

Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, James McCole built this wooden framed structure located at 678 North Orleans on Chicago’s northside. At first, Mr. Lawrence had rented this space for his grocery store. Then in 1921 Vito Giacomo had opened a restaurant in the front with living quarters behind. The basement, however, held the secretive speakeasy.

Vito Giacomo had the door painted green to signify that alcohol was secretly served. A green door had been a well-used symbol representing liquor distribution during the prohibition era. Thus, the name, “The Green Door Tavern” was established. Their motto has remained the same for over a century, “Eat, Drink and Be Merry!”

Prohibition

Speakeasies had sprung up all around the nation in response to the October 1919 Volstead Act. Although President Woodrow Wilson had vetoed this bill, congress passed the 18th Amendment, a nationwide constitutional ban on intoxicating liquors as well as penalties for producing them.

The legislative leaders had hoped to curb drunken behavior, however this ban created corruption at all levels of society. Americans found methods for clandestine capers to combat the infringement on their freedoms.

Mob Connections

During the 1920’s Chicago’s Mayor, “Big Bill” Thompson casually watched over Chicago with a ‘wide open’ approach. This allowed for gangsters and corruption throughout the city. Dean O’Banion conducted the northside gang of mobsters while Al Capone directed the southside.

Dean O’Banion had secretly supplied ‘intoxicating liquors’ through a hole in the wall at The Drifter. The pub’s portal was usually covered by a solid bookshelf. This had been just one stop along O’Banion’s busy route. After O’Banion’s murder in November 1924, George “Bugs” Moran took over leadership of the northside and continued making the deliveries. Vito Giacomo, previously mentioned, ran his Italian eatery upstairs as a front for the basement bootlegged establishment, The Drifter.

Prohibition Repealed

Tens of thousands of people died due to prohibition-related violence and from drinking unregulated booze. This national social “experiment” came to an end in 1933 when the Twenty-First Amendment was ratified by 36 of the 48 states. … Prohibition, the 18th Amendment, had been repealed because “it was an unenforceable policy.”

The Drifter – Reservations

Chuck and I descended the back staircase to find a hostess posed by shelves holding an ipad. With only 37 seats available in the covert establishment, the hostess took our names. She explained that we would have a two hour wait, so we climbed the risers to have dinner up above at The Green Door Tavern while we waited for our turn.

Dinner and Drinks

The Green Door matron seated us across from the century-old bar. The scuffed wooden floor held decades of memories. As we studied the relics and remembrances hung about the room we were transported to ‘vintage days,’ a.k.a. our childhoods and our parents’ youth.

I chose a burger and Chuck had a chicken sandwich from the pub-type menu. “Eat, Drink and Be Merry” at The Green Door Tavern is a fine way to spend any evening. Yet, we were anticipating a speakeasy experience!

Chuck’s phone buzzed. Our Drifter table was ready! The Green Door Tavern waitress quickly brought our bill and we headed back downstairs to the authentic speakeasy. My tummy fluttered with anticipation.

The Drifter

Energy buzzed as we entered the tiny basement hub. Imagining the people who’d crossed this threshold gave me goosebumps. Patrons were intensely engaged in their drinks and conversations, not looking up to see who had joined them. A black and white film danced on the curtain.

We were seated at a table for two along the left side. Chuck took the bench along the wall and I sat in the chair.

Tarot Cards and Ordering Drinks

The hostess handed us a paper appetizer menu and a small deck of tarot cards, “The drinks are on these.” I shuffled the cards and handed some to Chuck. “How festive!” I replied. He slid on his reading glasses as I removed my bifocals in an attempt to read the choices in the candlelit room. Even with repositioning cards in the low light, neither of us were having much luck. We shook our heads at ourselves. “We’re old!” we agreed and continued to attempt deciphering these most unique selections.

When the waitress approached Chuck asked, “What’s your favorite drink here?” gesturing to the cards laid out on the table. “I like the ‘Bols in a Vice.’ ” she suggested. “I’ll take that.” Chuck surmised. “I’d like ‘The Risk and Reward,’ please.” “We’d also like the meatball appetizer, please.”

After sipping the two drinks, Chuck and I switched beverages. We enjoyed the small plate of meatballs even though we’d just eaten full meals upstairs.

The Speakeasy Experience

The original bar shelved tempered liquids which gleamed under the soft lights reflected in the mirror. People attended to their own conversations in hushed tones. The vibe of the prohibition era blanketed the room.

Above Chuck’s head hung a bullet-ridden Pegasus sign. To the right of the Pegasus was a staircase. “I think that’s an emergency exit leading to the street,” Chuck nodded to his left, “Incase the place was raided back in the day.” He’s always aware of his surroundings.

A Show

Suddenly, the curtain was pulled and secured to the side. A woman stood with her back to us. The music changed. She gracefully danced and seductively removed garments. Her gymnastic skills were impressive.

After a short time, I had stopped taking pictures, if you know what I mean. . . As she danced, I imagined other performers who’d graced this stage. The people who had watched. I imagined conversations people had held as they hovered over their cherished liquor a century ago.

Other shows include original musical numbers, hula hoop stunts and juggling. Live entertainment can be enjoyed Wednesday – Saturday from 7:00pm – midnight.

Chicago Speakeasies

There are several speakeasies still operating throughout Chicago. “Twin Anchors,” in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago, was one of Frank Sinatra’s favorite speakeasies.

The “226 Club,” now called “The Exchequer,” located at 226 S. Wabash was a preferred location where Al Capone conducted business. It is documented that the space had also contained a brothel. Two tunnels. one of which still exists, had made quick escapes possible. Al Capone also frequented, “The Green Mill,” which contained hidden tunnels as well.

Located in Bucktown are “Lottie’s” and “Club Lucky.” Both have ties to Al Capone, too. However, Capone’s largest speakeasy was “Room 21,” now known as “Via Veneto” located in North Park. This was the site of a notable bust made by the ‘Untouchables,’ the officers who had been led by infamous Eliot Ness. The 1987 film, “The Untouchables” chronicals these events. I think I’ll need to re-watch that movie!

A few blocks from the Lexington Hotel along the south loop is “Gioco,” an additional Al Capone hang out. In this speakeasy some walls could be removed to conceal illegal booze. There had been a trap door with a tunnel that was said to stretch all the way to Lake Michigan for deliveries and escapes.

History Surrounds Us

Stepping back into a century old era brings a richer perspective. I am looking forward to visiting The Drifter again as well as investigating other speakeasy establishments in the Chicago area.

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Resources:

The Green Door Tavern’s Website
The Drifter’s Website
8 Chicago Bars with Notorious Mob Connections article
The Dean O’Banion article on The Mob Museum website