Evening at the Speakeasy

The green bookcase looked oddly out of place in the closetlike space, but that was precisely the point. There was a room — a speakeasy — beyond the shelving, so we had heard. My husband and I exchanged knowing glances as we stood before it. A pretty blond woman wearing a black and white uniform sidled up next to us.

“Do you have reservations?” the attendant asked us.

“Yes,” we both answered. She grabbed part of the bookcase and pulled. The cabinet swung open like something from a Scooby-Doo cartoon, revealing a secret passageway to a large lounge area on the other side of the wall. Suddenly, we found ourselves in the Oconee Cove, a real life speakeasy hidden off the lobby area of the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.

The green color of the bookcase, a seemingly simple design choice, actually carries deeper historical significance — during Prohibition, green doors often served as subtle markers for illegal drinking establishments, a secret code for those in the know.

As we discovered the hidden room, I couldn’t help but reflect on the fascinating era of Prohibition in American history. Between 1920 and 1933, the year my father was born, the nationwide constitutional ban on alcohol production and sale gave rise to thousands of illegal speakeasies. These clandestine establishments became symbols of rebellion against what many saw as government overreach, fostering a unique culture of passwords, hidden entrances, and exclusive access.

The speakeasy we entered featured plush sofas and cozy armchairs thoughtfully arranged to create intimate conversation spaces, while soft lighting cast a warm glow that transported us back in time. This was far from a bar scene. The space was quiet and pretty.

One wall particularly caught our attention — a dramatically lit display of spirits and liquors that would have been contraband a century ago. The bottles gleamed like liquid artwork, creating an impressive backdrop of carefully curated spirits. We were seated facing this wall, and so we admired the bottles as we sipped.

In the speakeasy, we didn’t find a bartender. A young woman approached us and introduced herself as the “mixologist.” Rather than simply taking our order, she engaged us in a conversation about our tastes and preferences. Though neither Gene nor I consider ourselves cocktail connoisseurs, her genuine interest in crafting the perfect drink for each of us made us feel like valued guests.

After our chat, she disappeared behind the bar, and we watched in anticipation as she worked her magic. The drinks she returned with were perfectly personalized: for Gene, a sophisticated variation on a Whiskey Sour that respected the classic while adding subtle contemporary touches. My cocktail was an inspired blend of bourbon, honey, peach and spicy ginger that managed to be both familiar and surprising — and very Southern.

“It reminds me a little of the hot toddies my Grandmother Jarriel used to make, but with peach and ginger instead of lemon,” I said with a smile.

There’s something special about drinking establishments that require a bit of effort to find — like a secret clubhouse or a secret garden. Sitting in the Oconee Cove felt like being let in on a delightful little secret, one that’s made even better by sharing it with loved ones and new friends.

While neither Gene nor I are big drinkers, our evening at the Oconee Cove was about more than just the expertly crafted cocktails. It was about stepping into a space that honors the fascinating history of American speakeasies. For anyone seeking a memorable nightcap in an atmosphere that honors history, we both recommend visiting a speakeasy. Just look for the green bookcase or door — and maybe brush up on your Prohibition history before you visit.