Big Apple History . Business and Politics . Back to the Bars


	The "21" Club

When Prohibition went into effect in 1920, many New Yorkers considered the law a joke. Although the 18th Amendment forbade the manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor, many people managed to get "booze." People called "bootleggers" made liquor for themselves or to sell. In addition, gangsters illegally imported liquor from other countries. During the late 20s, more than one million gallons of liquor was smuggled into the U.S. each year from Canada. Organized crime leader Al Capone made a fortune in bootlegging.

Some people persuaded their physicians to prescribe them liquor "for medicinal purposes." Others bought alcohol at illegal bars called "speakeasies." One speakeasy called "Jack and Charlie's 21" was a famous celebrity hangout. This place had a special chute to hide the "evidence" quickly during police raids. It is estimated that New York City had over 30,000 speakeasies -- twice the number of legal bars that existed before Prohibition. To survive, speakeasy owners had to pay off the police and the organized crime leaders. The government often sent secret agents into speakeasies to raid the illegal activities. Two famous agents, Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith, would sneak in undercover disguised as musicians, gravediggers, and more. Once inside, Izzy and Moe would remove their disguises and make arrests.

New Yorkers and the rest of America eventually realized that Prohibition was a failed experiment that encouraged crime. So, in 1933 the 21st Amendment went into effect. It reversed the 18th Amendment and ended national prohibition. However, some states in the South continued prohibition until the 1960s.

Illustration: Courtesy of the "21" Club.