History Museum To Celebrate Anniversary Of Prohibition Repeal

CHICAGO — The Chicago History Museum is holding a celebration to mark the 85th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. The Last Speakeasy: On the Eve of Repeal will feature 1930s inspired music, dancing, cocktails and history guides. The event will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 7 to 11 p.m.

Lead sponsor Old Forester, the only bourbon continuously sold before, during and after Prohibition, will be mixing up cocktails and hosting a bartending competition, in which 10 finalist bartenders will make and share samples with guests.

Lake Side Pride Jazz Orchestra will perform 1930s classics, and professional dancers will teach popular dances from the era, organizers said. The event will also include music performances by The Michael Walters Band and DJ Lunatik.

The museum's director of curatorial affairs and costume collection manager will present a behind-the-scenes look at 1930s fashion from the museum’s historic costume collection. The museum's vice president of interpretation and education will guide guests through the museum’s newest digital experience “Chicago 00: 1933/34 Century of Progress.”

The evening’s activities will also include novelty gambling tables with 1930s gaming demonstrations and a tour of a whiskey barrel bus.

Guests are encouraged to wear their finest speakeasy-inspired threads. The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum will present awards and prizes to the night's best-dressed dandies and dolls.

General tickets are $75, and $65 for museum members. Premium package tickets that include an open bar are $95 for general tickets and $85 for museum members. Funds raised from ticket sales will go to the museum.

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