the.com/speakeasies
bars that lied about existing, because existing was illegal.
means an illicit establishment that sold alcohol during a period when doing so was against the law, usually hidden behind a fake front.
from the term predates prohibition, from 1880s america, where patrons were told to speak easy, meaning keep your voice down, so the cops outside would not hear you ordering illegal liquor.
nyc countan estimated 20,000 speakeasies operated in new york city alone
password entrymany required a whispered code word or secret knock
cocktail boombad bootleg liquor got disguised in mixed drinks, birthing modern cocktails
corrupt copspolice were often paid off to ignore the front door
for instance
the green door — chicago speakeasy famous for its literal password-only green door
chumley's — greenwich village bar with no sign, patrons exited via a hidden back door during raids
the anchor bar — buffalo speakeasy that later invented the buffalo wing after prohibition ended