New: Tome of Tables: Speakeasies
Once again we dive back in to 1920s America with a publication entirely devoted to one of the great symbols of the time: speakeasies. Before we get in to the publication itself though, let’s provide a little historical background:
What exactly was prohibition?
On January 16th, 1919, the United States ratified the 18th Amendment. This amendment, which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes within the United States and all US territories, was the culmination of nearly a century of temperance movements in the United States. The ban didn’t fully go in to effect for one year from the ratification date though, making January 17th, 1920 the day America went dry. Various laws such as the Volstead Act (which defined what exactly constituted the “intoxicating liquors” that would be banned under the 18th Amendment) further refined and supported prohibition and made it very clear that prohibition was no passing fancy. In fact, it would take 13 years and an enormous amount of political and social pressure to reverse the policy.
What were speakeasies?
Though the term speakeasy predates Prohibition by almost 100 years, it really came in to it’s own during the 1920s. During this time, speakeasies were establishments which illegally sold the “intoxicating liquors” that had been banned under the 18th Amendment.
Speakeasies ranged from grand establishments with elaborate methods of keeping themselves hidden to spartan setups in spare rooms. Some speakeasies even made use of other businesses or associations to hide their activities. No matter what their arrangement though, speakeasies popped up all over the country and only multiplied as prohibition drug on.
So what’s included in Tome of Tables: Speakeasies?
In the 19 pages of this publication you’ll find:
100 items to find in customer areas
100 items to find in behind the bar or in the backroom
100 items to find in backstage
50 items to find on patrons
50 items to find on staff
100 speakeasy names
100 speakeasy passwords
50 members of staff
50 patrons
50 criminals and lawmen
A glossary of 30 relevant criminal and law enforcement terms
A glossary of 50 relevant 1920s slang terms
10 Prohibition era cocktails and how to make them
A light selection of suggested resources for further reading on Prohibition and organized crime at the time
Ready to get your copy? Grab it on our website right here or on DriveThruRpg here
