Okay, friends, raise your hand if you’ve heard of the Volstead Act. For those of you who have, I expect to hear a round of booing and catcalls. The Volstead Act also known as the “National Prohibition Act”, became the 18th Amendment on October 28, 1919. It was a dark day in libational history, to be sure. So dark that we celebrate Repeal Day each and every December 5th here at Sly’s. Like this Saturday for example.
President Woodrow Wilson (bless his bespectacled head), vetoed the bill, to no avail. The temperance movement was too strong, the conservative voices in Congress overrode the veto, and for fourteen years, a citizen would be fined or jailed for the consumption of, manufacture of or sale of alcohol. The amendment mentions “intoxicating liquors” specifically; it was created so that the populace could not drink
The fourteen years following the passing of the Volstead Act, beverages containing more than .5% alcohol were forbidden - unless prescribed by a doctor. Not just frowned upon, not just strictly regulated...outlawed!.
Prohibition brought us one more lovely little slice of American history: organized crime. That’s right, folks, Al Capone and the like were created by running booze illegally, making quite a bit of money - Money that meant that bootleggers had lawmen in their pockets. Speakeasys became glamorous. Rich folks began to host cocktail parties in their homes. Doctors were prescribing whiskey for everything from pain to nervousness. Well-respected, moneyed, otherwise law-abiding citizens were flagrantly breaking the law - lawlessness to a degree our country has seen since.
Then in 1933 a ray of light. Change in the times. Hope for those who enjoy a good cocktail- or just a bear. The 21st Amendment was drafted, essentially just saying, “That thing we said about not drinking? Ignore it.” It was ratified state by state throughout the year of 1933. On December 5, 1933, Utah ratified the 21st Amendment, and alcohol was once again legal in the United States.
As always, Sly’s encourages you to drink responsibly so that you don’t find yourself in any sort of personal Prohibition. For our friends in Santa Barbara and Ventura, we encourage you to take the Amtrak - Sly’s is are only two blocks from the station in Carpinteria. On December 5th there are multiple Amtrak arrivals and departures. Carpooling is encouraged and designated drivers are widely considered to be the sexiest members of any group. Don’t forget Uber, either.
Consider this to be your formal invitation to come lift a glass with us here at Sly’s in celebration of your right to do so. We’ll see you on Saturday, December 5th! Did we mention that we have a special cocktail menu for the night? The Tiki is back.
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