speakeasy

noun speak·easy \ ˈspēk-ˌē-zē \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of speakeasy

plural speakeasies

: a place where alcoholic beverages are illegally sold; specifically : such a place during the period of prohibition in the U.S.

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Recent Examples of speakeasy from the Web

The Hermon Mehari Quartet will be playing a pre-game concert of incredible jazz at noon before The Royals take the field on Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. and Calvin Arsenia will be playing at the former speakeasy in The West Bottoms, The Ship.

— chris haghirian, kansascity, "It's nostalgia week in music: Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Nealon and Tim Reynolds | The Kansas City Star," 10 Apr. 2018
The bar concept will be similar to a speakeasy cocktail bar.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "Birmingham Update: sports news, a new airline, and more retail," 5 Apr. 2018
BORRACHITO Restaurants are increasingly adding back-room annexes, usually speakeasy-style cocktail bars hidden behind dining rooms.

— florence fabricant, New York Times, "Coco Pazzo Returns With a Tuscan Double-Header," 27 Mar. 2018
Stills, who is based in Los Angeles, says that the space has a speakeasy feel.

— dan ouellette, Billboard, "The Annie O Music Series: A Low-Key Home for Emerging Artists In an Upscale Manhattan World," 23 Mar. 2018
For those who want to up the ante, there’s the speakeasy-style Walker Inn accessed through a back door of Normandie Club, with different drinks and a fancier vibe.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Best Bar for a First Date in Each of 10 L.A. Neighborhoods," 6 Mar. 2018
On one of Islington’s backstreets sits 69 Colebrooke Row, an intimate (read: tiny) speakeasy-style bar for excellent experimental cocktails from master mixologist Tony Conigliaro.

— tom marchant, Harper's BAZAAR, "103 Things to Do, See, Eat and Shop in London," 7 Dec. 2017
But the Sazerac, which brings me back to my formative days of cocktail appreciation in New Orleans, will always have a special pull on my speakeasy heart.

— craig laban, Philly.com, "Jamonera's Xazerac puts Spanish P.X.-factor in Sazerac," 29 Mar. 2018
To find this speakeasy, look for the plain door in the back room of the Pastry War, a boisterous mezcal bar that’s worth its own visit.

— christina chaey, Bon Appetit, "Every Single Place to Eat (and Drink) Right Now in Houston," 22 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'speakeasy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of speakeasy

1889

in the meaning defined above

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SPEAKEASY Defined for English Language Learners

speakeasy

noun

Definition of speakeasy for English Language Learners

: a place where alcoholic drinks were sold illegally in the U.S. during the 1920s

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