Speakeasies in Movies and TV Shows

Speakeasies create a unique setting in the movies and on TV. They set the mood for hidden doors, secret passages and dimly lit rooms which makes them feel exciting. They’re also full of interesting characters, gangsters, jazz musicians, and people living double lives. Speakeasies in movies makes them perfect for drama, suspense, and action.

Top Movies that highlight Speakeasies:

1. The Cotton Club (1984) – Set in 1920s Harlem, this film focuses on the famous Cotton Club, a real-life speakeasy where jazz legends performed and gangsters mingled. Watch this for a mix of real history, jazz, and crime.

2. Chicago (2002) – While it’s a musical, Chicago captures the glitz, glamour, and crime tied to the speakeasy scene. Included are lively performances and hidden clubs.

3. Road to Perdition (2002) – This crime drama dives into the dark side of the Prohibition era. It features speakeasies as backdrops for mob dealings.

4. Miller’s Crossing (1990) – A gangster film with speakeasy scenes that show how these hidden bars were often tied to organized crime.

5. Mobsters (1991) – Focused on the rise of famous gangsters like Lucky Luciano, this film highlights speakeasies as key places for criminal activities.

6. The Untouchables (1987) – Based on the true story of Eliot Ness’s fight against Al Capone, the film shows how speakeasies operated under the mob’s control. The battle between lawmen and mobsters controlling Chicago’s speakeasies.

7. Bugsy Malone (1976) – A fun, family-friendly take on the gangster era, with kids playing the roles, but still featuring speakeasy-style clubs.

8. Legend (2015) – Although set in 1960s London, the film’s underground clubs have a speakeasy vibe, showing secret dealings and glamorous nightlife tied to crime.

9. The Great Gatsby (2013) – This movie shows wild, glamorous parties that feel like modern speakeasies. The secret gatherings are full of music, dancing, and illegal drinks.

10. Lawless (2012) – This film is about bootleggers during Prohibition. It shows the rough side of speakeasies, where people fought to control the illegal alcohol business. For a raw, violent take on the bootlegging business that supplied these speakeasies.

11. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) – This gangster film features speakeasies as places where deals are made. It shows how friendships are tested and criminal activity thrives.

Speakeasies in TV Shows: If you're looking for authentic speakeasy vibes in a TV series, here are some recommendations:

1. Boardwalk Empire – For the most detailed, gritty look at speakeasies during Prohibition. This show is all about Prohibition and takes you inside speakeasies where politicians, gangsters, and everyday people cross paths.

2. Peaky Blinders – Set in post-World War I England, this show has underground bars that feel like speakeasies. The gang meets in hidden spots to plan their next moves.

3. Babylon Berlin – In this German series, underground clubs are filled with jazz, danger, and secret deals, much like speakeasies from the 1920s.

These films show different sides of speakeasies, from glamorous jazz clubs to dangerous hideouts run by gangsters. Find out how to watch and enjoy.