speakeasy

American  

[speek-ee-zee] / ˈspikˌi zi /

noun

plural

speakeasies

1. a saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition.

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speakeasy British  

/ ˈspiːkˌiːzɪ /

noun

1. a place where alcoholic drink was sold illicitly during Prohibition

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Etymology

Origin of speakeasy

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; speak + easy

Example Sentences

This no-device speakeasy would be less structured around work and more like a hangout: Someone just kicks off a conversation and folks follow on.

From The Wall Street Journal

I was renting from this guy, kind of a character on the scene, and he would set up these speakeasy acoustic shows above this jeans store on Abbot Kinney called the Stronghold.

From Los Angeles Times

The aesthetically pleasing hotel has a rooftop pool, a highly Instagrammed greenhouse restaurant and the ’80s-themed speakeasy with karaoke suites.

From Los Angeles Times

At select hours, Kelley said, staff will put up a divider to create Deep Cut, a fancier “speakeasy restaurant” that will emphasize steak and seafood.

From Los Angeles Times

Then I was working the door at these speakeasies that were really important back then, called Temple Bar and Zanzibar.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bar
• bistro
• cabaret
• disco
• discotheque
• restaurant
• saloon
• tavern
• watering hole