EAT, SPEAK, DANCE, REPEAT

In America, some groups felt that excessive drinking was disrupting society.
That is why, in 1920, a nationwide law banning alcohol was introduced: enter the Prohibition Era. The result? A bustling and illicit liquor trade, golden times for
the mafia and the rise of secret bars and cafes. Swing and jazz flourished here, and new dance forms emerged. By whispering a code word through a small hatch in the back door, a thirsty night owl could gain access to the most lively, titillating and exciting parties, brimming with music, dancing and, of course, booze. Cocktails were served in coffee cups: that way, should there be a police raid, the contents would not immediately be clear.

The motto: anything goes! Clubs opened their doors in the big cities, starting only after midnight and continuing until dawn. It is almost unfortunate that prohibition was abolished in 1933...

If everything is allowed, there is always room for new currents, trends and
movements – often centred in big cities. Examples are the Cotton Club and Big Moma in Rome, where jazz culture reached a crescendo in the 1950s, and
the art and club scene in 1980s New York.

The big city is always on the move, including the nightlife. We want to be surprised again and again. Dancing in an art gallery (What is Happening Here, Amsterdam), listening to excellent hi-fi music in a listening club (Rhinoçéros, Berlin) or having dinner and then immediately strutting out on the dance
floor in a hybrid restaurant/club. The latter can take a lot of different shapes: from cocktails and live swing jazz in New Orleans to an evening at Multipla, a former
garage in Amsterdam that functions as a bar, restaurant and club all in one.

Today, you can still find bars around the world inspired by the speakeasies of the roaring twenties – often complete with menus. From Lagos (Boho), Marrakech (Baromètre), Brussels (Lilys) and Rotterdam (La Soirée) to Mexico City, where Handshake was named the best bar in the world in 2024.

Ruin bars:
In Budapest, so-called ruin bars are a household word: empty buildings that have been transformed into bars and clubs, often with quirky interiors. Our favourite Csendes Létterem.

Hidden gem:
Paris is an obvious pick... but this grande dame still has her secrets. Le Comptoir Général on Quai de Jemmapes in the 10th arrondissement is a real hidden gem. A cocktail bar, restaurant and outdoor dining combined, with an eclectic vintage interior.

Hamerkwartier:
Close to home: Amsterdam’s Hammer Quarter (Hamerkwartier). You’ll find everything you’re looking for in this little neighbourhood in North Amsterdam. Order the best seafood at Barracuda or a taco – a proper one – at Coba. Don’t be fooled by the name, because in addition to pizza (naturally), Europizza also serves some amazing other dishes. For a good plate of Surinamese food as well as a cocktail, head over to Kwie Kwie.