Speakeasies became common during prohibition.
During prohibition, the demand for alcohol did not falter, leading to a constant need for illegal alcohol. This led to the beginning of the bootlegging businesses which were usually overseen by mobs and gangs. This business proved very profitable, and many criminals were able to strike it rich. Once the illegal alcohol was acquired, groups needed somewhere to sell it. This led to the creation of illegal bars run by mostly mobs and gangs. These bars sold the bootlegged alcohol, and became known as speakeasies. Speakeasies thrived since they were able to provide extremely cheap food to complement the expensive alcohol. One of the most prominent speakeasies was run by Al Capone in Chicago.
The new business of selling illegal alcohol led to turf wars as rival gangs competed for their share of the market. One of the most famous conflicts was the one between Al Capone and Dion O’Banion. They would do things like hijack each other’s liquor trucks and shoot up each other’s speakeasies.
The new business of selling illegal alcohol led to turf wars as rival gangs competed for their share of the market. One of the most famous conflicts was the one between Al Capone and Dion O’Banion. They would do things like hijack each other’s liquor trucks and shoot up each other’s speakeasies.
Bootleggers were viewed as heroes.
Prohibition did not have its intended effect. Drinking was considered fashionable and sophisticated. Once prohibition was in effect, it was viewed as fun and exciting, and the bootleggers were viewed as heroes. Prohibition just took away the government’s tax revenue from alcohol sales and gave criminals a new way to become rich.