In 1917, the U.S. Senate proposed an amendment to the Constitution that would prohibit the production, transport, import, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. As with all legislation there were exceptions to this rule- medical doctors and pharmacists, religious institutions, and bakers were still allowed access. The amendment was ratified on January 16, 1919 and went into effect January 17, 1920. This is the only constitutional amendment that took away liberty. Thankfully it was also the only amendment to ever be repealed, ending on December 5, 1933.
Repeal Day is now a major celebration holiday throughout the United States, most especially in bourbon country. We lost a lot of bourbon distilleries during that time, and we’re lucky to have regained a few of the historic ones over the past decades.
There are a lot of repeal day parties happening in Louisville. I’m going to be at the Louisville SWIG party at the Brown and I’d love to see you there. Flapper style costumes are strongly encouraged for all these events, and some are even having costume contests. Here’s a list of all the parties I’ve found so far:
1. Louisville SWIG Repeal Day Party [4]
This tasting event will be at the historic Brown Hotel from 6-9 p.m., $40 per person includes drinks and appetizers, as well as live music and dancing. Tickets can be purchased here. [4]
2. The Filson Historical Society Repeal Day Party [5]
This party is sold out [6]. The tasting of vintage bourbons was limited to 50 people and those lucky fifty already got their tickets.
3. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Repeal Day Party [7]
This party will be held in the Speakeasy, from 5-9 p.m. The party is free and tours $9 per person. Check out the event page here [8].
3.5 Or check out the Repeal Day Party at The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience hosted by The Voice Tribune [9] a day early on 12/4!
4. Bourbons Bistro [10]
From 6-8 p.m. enjoy two-bit (25₵) drink and appetizer specials. Win a $50 Bourbons Bistro gift card for best flapper-style costume.
5. Proof on Main [11]
From 7-11 p.m. enjoy classic prohibition-era cocktails, swing music, and lots and lots of mustaches, provided to patrons by the restaurant.
6. Repeal Day at The Exchange [12]
Starting at 8:30 p.m. enjoy a jazz band and 1930s costumes.
7. Repeal Day Speakeasy at Garage Bar [13]
From 5-10 p.m. enjoy cocktails and a facial hair contest. The winner takes home a $50 gift card to Garage Bar!
8. Moonshine University Repeal Day Enthusiast Class [14]
For $29 per person enjoy an enthusiast class from 6-8 p.m. complete with cocktails.
9. Postmodern Repeal Day Party at The Monkey Wrench [15]
Starting at 4 p.m. enjoy free snacks, drink specials, cigars, and lots of other goodies.
10. Do 502 Repeal Day Happy Hour [16]
Celebrate with Bulleit and Do 502 at Rye from 5:30-7:30.
11. Midwest Rum Fest [17]
If you still feel like celebrating on Saturday, check out the First Annual Midwest Rum Fest!
If you know of other Repeal Day parties going on in the Louisville area on Friday, tweet me @LouGirl502 [18] so I can add them to the list!
Cover photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com/Everett Collection. Photos with article courtesy Louisville Magazine and Bourbon's Bistro