Find us if you can through the 2 hidden entrances in the Northside Marriott
Prohibition & the Birth of the Speakeasy
The 1920s reshaped America in unforgettable ways. While innovation surged — from aviation milestones to medical breakthroughs — one law quietly transformed nightlife forever. The Volstead Act of 1920, better known as Prohibition, outlawed the production and sale of alcohol, intending to curb crime. Instead, it sparked a cultural rebellion.
Hidden bars known as speakeasies began appearing across the country, serving bootleg spirits behind unmarked doors and secret entrances. These underground spaces weren’t just places to drink — they became sanctuaries of music, conversation, and freedom during a time of restriction.
Life Inside a True Speakeasy
Speakeasies were designed to stay unseen. Entry often required a password, whispered quietly to a doorman to avoid suspicion. Inside, guests found dim lighting, live jazz, singing, and a sense of escape from the outside world.
It’s said that for every legal saloon that closed, half a dozen speakeasies took its place. Demand never disappeared — it simply went underground. The phrase “speak easy” wasn’t a suggestion, it was survival. Draw too much attention, and the night could end in a raid.
At Northside Speakeasy, you’ll see echoes of that era — from our hidden entrances through a newsstand or phone booth to the intimate atmosphere that invites you to stay awhile.
When Cocktails Were Prescriptions
During Prohibition, the U.S. Treasury allowed doctors to prescribe alcohol for “medicinal use.” Patients were given official prescriptions for spirits to treat everything from indigestion to depression, redeemable at local apothecaries.
Those early pharmacies relied heavily on herbs, flowers, and distilled spirits — practices that laid the foundation for modern bitters and botanical cocktails. These time-honored methods inspire today’s craft cocktail movement, where balance, botanicals, and intention matter just as much as flavor.
At Northside Speakeasy, we honor that tradition with thoughtfully crafted drinks that blend history with modern technique.
Old Soul. New Energy.
Northside Speakeasy brings the spirit of the 1920s into the heart of downtown Akron. While the days of Prohibition are long gone, the allure of the hidden bar lives on — intimate, intentional, and unforgettable.
We’re not recreating the past — we’re channeling it. From handcrafted cocktails to a low-lit atmosphere designed for connection, Northside Speakeasy is where history, hospitality, and late-night culture come together.
Some things are better discovered, not announced.