Speakeasy
The Most Secret Bars in the World
Hidden entrances, dark places, low volume music, smoke, women, crime and obviously alcohol. In the days of Prohibition (1920-1933), these were the explosive ingredients of the American speakeasies: clubs that served alcohol illegally, when the government prohibited even its production and transport. They were frequented by gangster such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano and have become the symbol of an epoch immortalized by many movies.
The "new" speakeasies are inspired to the typical unmistakable atmosphere of the beginning of the XX century, when it was necessary to speak under your breath not to arise the suspects of the law. These trendy bars have often been conceived by keen bartenders, who rediscovered the tastes of the mixed drinking of the '20s and '30s. Specially-made furniture, refined cocktails, entrance by invitation only, themed dress code, locations without address, vintage atmosphere... nowadays the speakeasy is living a second life, a renaissance that is, first of all, a matter of taste. Cocktails are now high-quality, sophisticated and above all legal, but entering these clubs we jump into the past. This book will lead you to the discovery of the most famous current speakeasies, opening you the doors of a hidden but charming world.
Maurizio Maestrelli has been a professional journalist since 2004 and he has specialised in enogastronomic journalism. He has written for Mondo della Birra, Locali Top and Gulliver, he conceived the guide Birrerie d’Italia and wrote Birra ai fornelli. From 2001 to 2006 he was the editor of Civiltà del bere, the first magazine dedicated to Italian wine. At present he works as a free-lance journalist, writing for Gambero Rosso, Dove, Il Mondo della Birra, Locali Top, Barbusiness, ViniPlus di Lombardia, Travelstory.it. He was the first Italian journalist to be admitted to the British Guild of Beer Writers. He holds lessons on the culture and tasting of beer and in 2006 he was named the best Italian “beer journalist” by Unionbirrai. He is a judge at the International Beer Challenge in London, at the Brussels Beer Challenge, at the World Beer Cup, the Dutch Beer Challenge, the Mondial de la Bière and the Italian competition Birra dell’Anno. He is also the author of the first Italian beer blog: www.birragenda. blogspot.com. In 2014 he planned and organized the Milano Beer Week, which was repeated in 2015 and 2016.
