Relive The Roaring Twenties At Club Arcada, A Speakeasy In Illinois
By Melissa Mahoney|Published July 07, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
The allure of the Roaring Twenties has lasted about a century. The 1920s was a decade of great prosperity, iconic fashion trends, mass consumerism, and Prohibition. Because of Prohibition, bars and saloons all across the country were shut down. People decided to figure out a way to evade law enforcement and opened up underground establishments that served alcohol. Disguised as other businesses, these secret bars became known as speakeasies. They had secret doors, and to be let in, a patron had to give a secret password, handshake, knock, or show a special card. You can relive the era with a visit to Club Arcada, a modern-day speakeasy in Saint Charles, Illinois.
Club Arcada is located on the third floor of the historic Arcada Theatre in Saint Charles. As with all speakeasies, you must enter through a secret door and give a password. Club Arcada's secret door can be found in the library next to a shoeshine stand. The start of the experience will prepare you for the rip-roaring 20s time you're about to have!
Inside, you may wish to spend time at the Prohibition Lounge, which is a low-key space away from the boisterous ambiance of the other rooms. But when you want to join the party, head to Louis Armstrong's Speakeasy Bar where you'll notice a flag from the 1933 Chicago World's Fair, an antique cash register, and 100-year old beer taps.
At the bar or at your table, order a Prohibition-era cocktail like a Sidecar, The Bees Knees, or a "Ron" Collins, which is Club Arcada's take on a Tom Collins. Or order one of 50 available bourbons or a bathtub gin on the rocks.
With antique furnishings adorning all the rooms of the speakeasy, plus the staff wearing flapper girl or page boy clothes, you'll feel as though you really are in the Roaring Twenties. You are welcome to dress up in attire from the era yourself.
If you decide to have dinner, there's a variety of delicious options on the menu. Order the Chef Selction Charcuterie Board for an appetizer and the Chef Selection Prime Angus Filet for the perfect meal. You may also want to save some room for one of the delectable desserts like a homemade cannoli or chocolate lava cake.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the days to come for live entertainment in the "Fred & Ginger" Room. Whether it's a live band or comedian, you're guaranteed a fun-filled evening.
