A 1920s car with a sign that reads Happy Days are BEER Again

End of Prohibition Celebration

Sloppy Joe's Bar in the 1920s

December 1 - 5, 2024 | Sloppy Joe's Bar, Key West, FL

A man drinking alcohol from a barrel

History of Prohibition

Men and women at a Prohibition-era Speakeasy.The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified on December 5, 1933, at 5:32 p.m. EST, repealing the 18th Amendment and ending the era of national alcohol prohibition in America.

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse effects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for national liquor abstinence. Several states outlawed the manufacture or sale of alcohol within their borders. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the “manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes,” was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. On January 29, 1919, the 18th Amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification. Prohibition essentially began in June of that year, but the amendment did not officially take effect until January 29, 1920.

In the meantime, Congress passed the Volstead Act on October 28, 1919, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, including creating a special Prohibition unit of the Treasury Department. In its first six months, the unit destroyed thousands of illicit stills run by bootleggers. However, federal agents and police did little more than slow the flow of booze, and organized crime flourished in America. Large-scale bootleggers, like Al Capone of Chicago, built criminal empires out of illegal distribution efforts, and federal and state governments lost billions in tax revenue. In most urban areas, the individual consumption of alcohol was largely tolerated, and drinkers gathered at “speakeasies,” which was the Prohibition-era term for saloons.Newspaper announcing Prohibition Ends at Last!

Prohibition, failing to enforce sobriety and costing billions, rapidly lost popular support in the early 1930s. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, ending national Prohibition. After the repeal of the 18th Amendment, some states continued Prohibition by maintaining statewide temperance laws. Mississippi, the last dry state in the Union, ended Prohibition in 1966.

1920s Paperboy

Celebration Schedule

Sunday, Dec 1stMen during Prohibition holding signs that read, We Want BEER

  • Sloppy Joe’s Blonde Reserve Anniversary – 
  • Mixology Presentation TBD
  • Live Entertainment TBD

 

Monday, Dec 2nd

  • Mixology Presentation TBD
  • Live Entertainment TBD

 

Tuesday, Dec 3rd

  • Live Entertainment TBD 
  • (MARC Tree Auction- Prohibition themed)

 

Wednesday, Dec 4th

  • Live Entertainment TBD
  • History Of Prohibition in Key West TBD 

 

Thursday, Dec 5th

  • Repeal Party and Costume Contest –  All Day Celebration with host Landon Bradbary. Party like it’s 1933! Costume and Best Dressed contests, giveaways. 1933 Anheuser-Busch’s Antique Truck will be onsite 
  • Entertainment: TBD

End of Prohibition Entertainment

The End of Prohibition Celebration features vibrant live entertainment, capturing the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.

Guests can enjoy upbeat jazz bands, lively swing dancers, and vaudeville-style performances that transport the audience back to the era of speakeasies and secret gatherings.

Flapper dancers, magicians, and vintage cabaret acts add to the festive atmosphere while interactive performers roam the crowd, ensuring an immersive, high-energy experience celebrating the repeal of prohibition in grand style.

Don’t miss this exciting celebration of glamour, music, and speakeasy vibes.

End of Prohibition Celebration:

December 1 – 5, 2024

Sloppy Joe’s Bar

201 Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040

Info@KeyWestBootleggers.com

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Hurray! I'll have a beer, please.

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