The Modern-Day Speakeasy: A Hidden World Among the Roar of Commercialism

The crunch of snow beneath my boots makes me question my enthusiasm. I’ve been circling this conglomerate of buildings with my housemate for about ten minutes now, approaching every visible door and window. We’re looking for Amherst’s newest - and only - speakeasy.

“What if it’s actually in that place,” Anni asked, pointing, “like around this corner?”

“Didn’t your friend say it was under a restaurant?”

“Yeah.”

“Ugh.” I said aloud, letting out a sigh.

We’d only heard about the location of The Archives through word of mouth, the traditional address dissemination of a speakeasy. This friend who’d told Anni a vague description of its location had said we should be looking for a wall of filing cabinets which would reveal its door. However, where these files were, we did not know. That’s part of the fun.

“Wait, what if we went through the awning?”

“I don’t want to break and enter into some brick-and-mortar.”

“Come on.” Anni grabbed my hand. I braced myself for sirens and arrest.

And yet, there they were: Filing cabinets accompanied by the gentle hum of conversation behind them. I was excited, relieved, and more than ready for a craft cocktail. This is the magic of a speakeasy.

The U.S. Prohibition of the 1920s and early ‘30s, while initially successful in lessening alcohol consumption, was largely ineffective. The illegality of the manufacture, transportation, and sale of liquor actually led to a 60-70 percent consumption increase from pre-Prohibition times. It seems people will come together and drink no matter the offense. And speakeasies were the very way to propel such a community under such a strict law.

Often located in underground dens, people were encouraged to keep hushed to avoid the police’ ear - hence, ‘speak-easy.’ Because of the covert nature of these bars, it’s impossible to know exactly how many existed and how many people participated at any given time. Though, during the height of Prohibition in the late 1920s, there were an estimated 32,000 speakeasies in New York alone, with millions of patrons nationally. 

Behind these holes-in-the-wall were dimly lit rooms, often leading to even darker backrooms. Conversation was faint while live music played. Sometimes there were dancefloors and other times it was just someone’s dingy basement. Typical drinks consisted of gin fizzes, whiskey smashes, and martinis. And while owners didn’t want to commit to a full menu, they instead offered bites to eat. Depending on your bar of choice, provisions included lobster canapés, caviar rolls, shrimp patties, oyster toast, jellied anchovy molds, radish roses, devilled eggs, and savory cheese balls. You know, what you'd imagine an underground bar in the 1920s to boast. These morsels helped soak up liquor from inebriated guests and increase sales. 

The Archives' co-owners and brothers, Greg and Jeff Stutsman, continue this legacy through their location and menus. “This is a place people can linger and have conversations,” Jeff Stutsman said in an article for the Daily Hampshire Gazette. “It’s so nice that you can remove yourself from the world when you’re down here.” Greg Stutsman supported that belief saying, “People can escape from Amherst and their worries.” The tradition of the speakeasy seems to have outlived Prohibition through these elements. You're drawn in by the mystery, intimacy, and community underneath the surface of a world screaming for attention. Not to mention the mouth-watering drinks and bites.

When Prohibition was terminated in 1933, speakeasies too began to fade out. But what they left behind were larger social impacts. Jazz music gained traction through the employment of these secret bars; Mixed-race interaction increased often positively underground; Women were welcome to imbibe socially with men, promoting a sense of female freedom. Additionally, finger food seriously earned a name for itself. These snacks weren’t only bar exclusive, instead becoming entangled in restaurant and cocktail party offerings. Contemporarily, we see more cheese boards and dips; And while the curiosity of a speakeasy is enough to evade advertisement, these establishments rely on creating delectable food and drink for true business longevity. 

When talking about our modern drinks, we must begin with the glasses. From round coupes to square old fashioneds, the impression of these craft cocktails is everlasting in part because of their containers. Speakeasies are now trusted for their elegant use of cups, and general potion presentation. But what’s inside is worth so much more. Citrus’, florals, and musks are but a few of the aromas to pour from the novel spirits and juices. With different zests and charred fruits for garnish, each drink is a character all its own. 

My favorite creation at The Archives is a seasonal offering in the summers called Bridge of Flowers. It consists of gin, grapefruit, rose water, lemon, and lavender. A light egg-white froth sits comfortably on top with a line of pistachio zest across its mouth. It tastes fresh with a splash of tartness and the ever so light essence of flowers. We are miles away from the ol’ gin fizz of the ‘20s.

It’s become apparent that the casual and modern speakeasy is more lavish than those of Prohibition days, though the average cost of a cocktail ($15 and up today) has stayed relatively the same - with consideration of inflation. Dingy basements are now rather hard to come by behind these hidden doors because the notion of a speakeasy is no longer for the Average Joe yearning for some liquor. These spaces are chic, elusive, and exclusive. They attract a younger crowd who are deeply removed from Prohibition life. “Everyone is desperate to experience spatial/cultural novelty after being locked up for the past couple years,” reads a 2022 post from an independent blog about drinking in America, “and you’ve got a potent cocktail (ahem) for the online redemption of not-blind pigs. While the concept may be mid IRL—after all, the thrill of walking through a vending machine/telephone booth/etc. only lasts as long as you’ve got the scratch for $19 Bees Knees, if that—it is primo grist for the social media mill.” To clarify, ‘blind pigs’ was another term for speakeasies back in the day. Through this new lingo and slang is a very poignant observation of how these bars have transformed from a dangerous business created out of necessity into a hip luxury to boast about on social media.

“We like to think of it as a place you bring your friends and have it be somewhat of a surprise for them,” Greg Stutsman said. 

His brother pointed out the location, “We have no outside signage. It’s not a published address.” 

“We won’t be putting a sandwich board out on the street, I can tell you that.”

The journey through the labyrinth of speakeasy culture, spanning the clandestine bars of the Prohibition era to the veiled elegance of contemporary hidden gems, reflects an enduring human desire for the mysterious. As the crunch of snow beneath boots echoes the hunt for The Archives, it mirrors the persistent quest for these enigmatic spaces that transcend time, offering an escape from the cacophony of commercialism.

In the dimly lit chambers of these modern-day bars, patrons savor not only exquisite libations and finger foods but also a curated experience. The evolution of cocktails from simple to intricate concoctions embodies the transformation of these hidden bars. They’ve surpassed the fundamentals of alcohol ‘feening’ to become immersive, multisensory experiences.

Greg and Jeff Stutsman's dedication to preserving the ethos of secrecy and escape embodies the nature of contemporary life for especially young patrons. Their refusal to succumb to conventional advertising and commitment to preserving the mysterious allure ensure that The Archives remains a bastion of intimacy and surprise, echoing the sentiment of the Prohibition’s secret while embracing the sophistication of contemporary tastes.

The modern-day speakeasy, with its concealed entrances and whispered addresses, acts as a kind of portal. It encapsulates the ethos of an era long past, merging it with the desires of today, promising not just great drinks but an ephemeral journey into a world veiled from the prying eyes of capitalism - a world waiting to be discovered by those who seek a little thrill with their drink.