speakeasy

noun speak·easy \ ˈspēk-ˌē-zē \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 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 storytelling series, hosted at this Lower East Side venue with speakeasy vibes, celebrates the female revolutionaries who often don’t get their fair share of real estate in history books.

— kasia pilat, New York Times, "7 Comedy Shows to Catch in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 12 July 2018
Bespoke Events, 845 Market St. Suite 450, S.F. www.eventbrite.com/e/pride-at-the-disco-tickets-46635884185 ProudToBe: Pride at the Academy Enter through secret speakeasy doors for DJ dancing, go-go boys, drinks and cocktails and more.

— chronicle staff report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Gay Pride events," 14 June 2018
Williwaw is a venue for concerts, meetings and other events, and also hosts upscale speakeasy Blues Central upstairs, a SteamDot cafe location, Birch bar and loft, and a rooftop bar.

— annie zak, Anchorage Daily News, "Williwaw aims for a reboot by teaming up with Midnight Sun Brewing Co.," 27 Apr. 2018
Room 09 at Tinto Boutique Hotel, Santiago, Chile [Chile’s] trendiest locale is this clandestine rooftop speakeasy in the capital’s bohemian Bellavista neighborhood.

— paul rubio, Condé Nast Traveler, "The 10 Best Rooftop Bars in the World," 24 Apr. 2018
With the pink champagne still flowing at 3:00 in the morning and clients Charleston-ing up a storm, the speakeasy magic was still going strong when those dancers reappeared in red, green, and white costumes for an Italianate takeover.

— hamish bowles, Vogue, "Hamish Bowles Goes Inside Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda and Sartoria Events in New York City," 9 Apr. 2018
Smuggler's Cove: Kitschy and over-the-top, this not-so-secret speakeasy features tiki cocktails that are worth the wait in line.

— samantha leal, Marie Claire, "Weekend Trip Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, and Drink in San Francisco," 17 Nov. 2017
Prohibition may not have been much fun at the time; but prohibition-style cocktails in a modern-day speakeasy?

— olivia abel, Country Living, "Weekend Getaway Guide: What to Do In Columbus, Ohio," 22 June 2017
The Northcott Liquorette on site was modeled after the Prohibition-era speakeasy.

— shonda talerico dudlicek, Naperville Sun, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Empire Burgers & Brew in Naperville," 8 July 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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