An estimated 32,000 speakeasies operated in New York City alone during the 13 years known nationwide as Prohibition. Thousands more existed across the country, and certainly in Greenville, where bars and liquor stores had been closed for years prior to the January 17, 1920 national ban of distribution and liquor sales under the 18th Amendment. It was repealed by the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933, much to the relief of the liquor industry and imbibers.
The allure of those clandestine drinking establishments remains, however, and in the last decade, speakeasy-themed bars have become increasingly popular. Of course, Greenville is no exception to the revival. A half dozen bars claiming a resemblance to the former illicit operations offer some of the most interesting cocktail experiences within the city and keep the spirit alive with password-protected doors, secret passageways, and basement entrances tucked away in plain sight.
7 Greenville speakeasies
Swordfish Cocktail Club
The only current downtown bar that previously operated as a full, members-only speakeasy in a hidden location, Swordfish Cocktail Club now at 220 E. Coffee Street maintains the private club atmosphere while welcoming the public. Known for its commitment to a respectful environment and exceptional pre- and post-Prohibition cocktails, Swordfish’s dimly lit atmosphere and mahogany bar provides more than a nod to the Roaring Twenties as each experience transports guests to a bygone era of formal hospitality.
Vault & Vator
The 2017 opening of Vault & Vator at 655 S. Main Street gave Greenville a basement jazz bar experience that continues to thrive. Tucked away in a building that once housed the Dr. Pepper Cola Co., it’s not the easiest entrance to find but well worth the search. Signature cocktails that riff on classics along with seasonal specials make up the majority of the menu, while the V&V Dealers’ Choice signature cocktail experience offers guests the option to choose two descriptors from which the bartender will create a custom cocktail. Words like floral, smoky, bitter, and boozy inspire creativity and keep guests guessing about the final product.
The Press Room
Located in the AC Hotel Greenville Downtown, The Press Room is accessed via an elevator on Camperdown Plaza that whisks guests to the entrance, known as the editor’s office, an homage to the former site of the Greenville News. A sign above the keypad-guarded door reads “Turn around and the code will be found.” An appropriately cluttered desk on which a typewriter sits provides the answer. Type in the code and the door opens to reveal couches and tables where guests enjoy a small menu of raw bar selections and seasonally themed cocktails. Reservations recommended.
The Library at The Rabbit Hole
Fall even further down the rabbit hole into The Library, a reservation-only variation of the popular Village bar on Pendleton Street. A tight corridor runs behind the main bar, leading to a private bar in the back with its own cocktail menu and bartender. Cocktails in The Library trend booze-heavy for a more serious connoisseur, though they don’t take themselves so seriously that 1990s favorite melon liquor Midori won’t be spotted on the menu. The full dinner menu with small bites and shareables from the front is also served in The Library.
Entre Nous
Bookshelves part to reveal a bustling bar filled with live music, boisterous groups and a come-as-you-are, welcoming space hidden behind Maestro Bistro & Dinner Club in the TD Bank Building on Main Street. The door code is often available either from the Maestro staff or via social media, though it’s not always necessary, keeping guests on their toes. Bartenders are happy to mix up off-menu guest favorites and even parting shots at last call for the entire bar.
NEAT Bourbon Bar
Down an almost treacherously steep flight of narrow stairs, NEAT offers speakeasy vibes right on Main Street, though its entrance next to Mast General Store isn’t obvious at first. A bourbon selection to rival most gives meaning to the bar’s name, as many pours should be savored without ice or sugary additions. A simple menu of bar snacks, including bacon popcorn, sliders, and burgers offers can be enjoyed in cozy booths lining the walls or at the bar.
Juhl & Co.
From the Reys Bar and Grill team downstairs at 20 N. Main Street comes Juhl & Co. upstairs, a newly opened speakeasy for whiskey and tequila lovers. Bar manager Dennis Krewsom jumped at the chance to create a drink program that prioritized hard-to-find allocated liquors that make up the entire top shelf. Craft cocktails with modern-day twists are the focus, offered to guests with a side of history either about the base spirit or the cocktail build. In addition to the bar toward the back of the shotgun space, soft seating vignettes at the front provide a conversational atmosphere Krewsom says is designed to encourage chatter and communication among guests who don’t yet know each other.
