Vintage 1930s Bar A Staple at Grico’s

When you come to Grico’s you can expect to find delicious food, a warm atmosphere, and a speakeasy? Well, not exactly a speakeasy. An iconic feature inside Grico’s is our 1930s vintage bar complete with rich wood, leather bar stools, and drinks to serve your every mood.

But what’s so special about a 1930s bar? Let’s take a peek at the iconic Prohibition Era piece.

A Brief History of Prohibition

The Prohibition Era began slowly in 1919 but took full force in January 1920. The once men-only establishments across the United States began to close, leaving those looking to grab a drink too few options.

The first was buying medicinal liquor from the druggist, going to your clergymen for religious reasons or taking the illegal route to meet up with bootleggers. Of course, there were also speakeasies to grab a drink but only if you knew the password to enter. 

According to the Mob Museum, “At the height of Prohibition in the late 1920s, there were 32,000 speakeasies in New York alone.”

Considered the worst-kept secret, speakeasies began to flourish, sparking change in American culture. Though the Temperance Movement continued with Suffragettes claiming  “lips that touch liquor will not touch ours,” a new string of social changes began. Flappers took the scene, becoming a large part of the Jazz Age. 

The Prohibition Era did come to an end on December 5, 1933. It is believed that Franklin Delano Roosevelt enjoyed a dirty martini as his first legal drink in celebration. 

The 1930s Bar

Taking inspiration from Art Deco ideas, the 1920s and 1930s bar scene actually has roots in Paris. The Art Story explains, “style manifested across the spectrum of the visual arts: from architecture, painting, and sculpture to the graphic and decorative arts.”

But what does that mean for the design of a bar?

• Function and Fun. Though the architectural makeup of Art Deco piece often infuses functionality and aesthetic value. When you see the bar at Grico’s, take notice of the stained glass features on the bar doors.
• Machine Made. Many works created during the Art Deco movement were not only functional, they were fast. Art for art’s sake was gone and now, architects and artists alike were thinking about the ability to mass produce. 
• It’s All in the Materials. A common feature of art deco furniture is that it’s made with rich, hard woods. Common types include ebony/ Macassar wood, as well as thin layers of wood used to cover a surface known as veneers. 

Come Dine With Us!

Want to see the vintage 1930s bar yourself? Join us for after-dinner drinks or the entire meal. Call Grico’s at 570-654-9120 to make a reservation today! And don’t forget to purchase your gift cards this holiday season for all of our fine establishments!

We look forward to serving you at all of our fine establishments: The Beaumont Inn; The River Street Jazz Cafe; Grico’s; Kevin’s; Cork Bar & Restaurant; Le Manhattan Bistro