Chicago Prohibition
Prohibition in the United States was a nationwide ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. During this time, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol.
Prohibition Era Chicago
Chicago was a major center of bootlegging and organized crime during the Prohibition era, and the city became infamous for the exploits of gangsters such as Al Capone.
Prohibition went into effect on January 17, 1920, and was repealed on December 5, 1933, with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. Therefore, prohibition was in effect in Chicago during this period, from 1920 to 1933.
Prohibition in Chicago was a time of significant social and political change, as the city became a center of organized crime and corruption. Here are some key events during this period:
Bootlegging: Chicago became a major center of bootlegging, with gangsters such as Al Capone and his rivals controlling the illegal alcohol trade. The city was also a center of speakeasies, secret bars where people could drink during Prohibition.
Gang warfare: The competition for control of the bootlegging business led to violent gang warfare in Chicago. The most notorious example was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929, when seven members of Bugs Moran's gang were killed by members of Al Capone's gang.
Corruption: Prohibition led to widespread corruption in Chicago, with law enforcement officials and politicians taking bribes from bootleggers and gangsters.
Political activism: Prohibition also sparked political activism in Chicago, with groups such as the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform (WONPR) advocating for the repeal of Prohibition.
Repeal: Prohibition was ultimately repealed in 1933 with the ratification of the 21st Amendment, bringing an end to the era of bootlegging and gang warfare in Chicago.
Was Malort Invented During Prohibition in Chicago?
No, Malort was not invented during Prohibition in Chicago, although it has become associated with the city's history and culture.
Jeppson's Malort, a brand of bitter liqueur, was created in 1934 by a Swedish immigrant named Carl Jeppson, several months after Prohibition was repealed. Jeppson was based in Chicago and started selling his Malort in the city, where it became a popular drink among certain groups, particularly those of Scandinavian descent.
However, the roots of Malort go back to Sweden, where it has been produced for centuries. The Swedish version is known as "malört," which translates to "wormwood" in English, and it has traditionally been used as a digestive aid.
While Malort may not have been invented during Prohibition, it has become a part of Chicago's cultural identity, and many bars and restaurants in the city serve it as a local specialty.
Chicago’s Most Popular Prohibition Era Speakeasies
Chicago during Prohibition was notorious for its speakeasies, secret bars where people could drink alcohol in violation of the law. Here are some of the most famous speakeasies in Chicago during this time:
The Green Mill: This jazz club in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago is still in operation today and was a popular speakeasy during Prohibition. It was owned by Jack McGurn, a member of Al Capone's gang.
The Drunken Goat: This speakeasy was located in a basement on the Near North Side of Chicago and was known for its Latin-inspired cocktails and live music.
The Old Absinthe House: Located in the Loop neighborhood of Chicago, this speakeasy served absinthe and other cocktails in a dark, intimate atmosphere.
The Green Door Tavern: This bar in River North was originally a grocery store during Prohibition, but it became a speakeasy after hours. It's now a popular neighborhood bar with a vintage feel.
The Blue Diamond: This speakeasy in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago was known for its strong drinks and secret entrance through a back alley.
The California Clipper: This bar in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago was a speakeasy during Prohibition and is still in operation today, serving cocktails and hosting live music.
These are just a few examples of the many speakeasies that existed in Chicago during Prohibition, and they contributed to the city's reputation as a center of vice and corruption.