If you enjoy the occasional cocktail, beer or glass of wine, then you have this day in history to thank for it. Prohibition was repealed 83 years ago Monday, on Dec. 5, 1933. Now, many bars are marking the date with special "Repeal Day" celebrations.
Flappers and bootleggers crowded into a makeshift speakeasy at the Bird Café in Fort Worth's Sundance Square Monday night and they fit in perfectly in the space. The building was built in 1889, and managers believe it actually was a speakeasy for a time during prohibition.
But this night was all about the repeal and everything was on-theme – from the food, all of the era, to the cocktails, all classics from the 1920s and 1930s.
That is a trend that's made a strong comeback. Lots of local bars are putting a focus on crafting their drinks just as carefully as they do food, sourcing natural ingredients. And at Bird Café, they are even making their own liqueurs and syrups in the kitchen for just the right taste.
"We opened up here three years ago, and we put craft cocktails really forward on our menu and we're noticing that people are asking for them by name and asking for ones that we don't necessarily have that are classics and almost challenging us to make something that they'll like," said Bird Café bar manager Amber Davidson.
The party Monday included a jazz band and drink specials, including 33-cent champagne pours in honor of the year of the repeal: 1933.
