Close to a hundred years ago, selling, and consuming alcohol was illegal in the United States. It was called the Prohibition. Although it was illegal, that didn’t stop people from finding a way to drink. There were hidden establishments called speakeasies where people could go and secretly drink and sell alcohol. Everyone who visited speakeasies were scared if being caught by the authorities and were very paranoid for a good reason. Some of the hidden bars would have clever locations that were hidden from the public eye. They would have password entries or hidden entrances that most people didn’t know about. This was so that people would avoid being imprisoned by any means.

Nowadays, drinking or selling alcohol isn’t legal and at any given moment, you can walk into a bar and have a drink without the fear of being arrested. There’s no fear of authorities or paranoia when you’re at a bar. However, there are a few establishments that replicate the experience of drinking at a speakeasy. They are well hidden from the public eye and people who’ve been to one of these places tend to keep the location to themselves. Maybe because it defeats the purpose if everyone knows about them or because it’s their new favorite spot to grab a drink.

Vancouver has a few speakeasies that are tucked away from the general public. Visiting one of these speakeasies would give people an idea of what it was like during the Prohibition era. Here’s a list of speakeasies that will give you that opportunity:

• Cantina 189 at 324 West Hasting Street has a hidden entrance that might take you some time to find.
• Laowai, located at 251 East Georgia Street is an interesting find.
• Where is Bagheera is at downtown Vancouver, and you have to be with a group of at least six people to get in. It might be a spot to introduce to your friend group.