Speak Easy, A Social Affair
Winter Haven is growing and so is the social scene. The Social Lounge is Winter Haven’s newest craft cocktail bar and one of the only speak easy’s in the city.
PHOTOS BY SALLY BARCELO
The Social Cocktail Lounge
356 3rd St NW,Winter Haven, FL 33881
The 18th Amendment to the U.S. The Constitution banned the manufacture, transportation, and sale of liquors in 1920, a period in American history known as Prohibition. The states ratified Prohibition on January 16, 1919, and it officially went into effect on January 17, 1920. But during that prohibition period, people didn’t stop drinking alcohol. They found creative ways to consume alcohol in secret, and thus, the speakeasy was born.
The increase of illegal production and sale of liquor, the proliferation of speakeasies (illegal drinking spots), amongst other problems, led to Congress proposing a 21st Amendment to the Constitution that would repeal the 18th. The 21st Amendment was ratified on December 5, 1933, ending Prohibition.
Although Prohibition ended in 1933, it hasn’t stopped bar owners from using it as inspiration for their aesthetic and experiences. Simply, step inside The Social Cocktail Lounge in Winter Haven, and you’ll find yourself within a whole new era.
Naturally, a speakeasy-themed bar was an attractive choice for the owners of The Social, Brett and Ashley Hill, - when opening their cocktail lounge in Winter Haven. “We were very interested in the whole prohibition, 20-30’s speakeasy theme,” said Brett. “The building was built in 1928, and our goal was to preserve the original architecture of the building, incorporating that into the design of the bar as well.”
Speakeasy bars were born from cellars. They were a place where all different kinds of people could join together, socialize, and drink in secret. And the name Speakeasy? Well, that one’s simple. Patrons were encouraged to “speak easy” or, essentially, lower their voices to avoid unwanted attention from authorities.
Modern speakeasy-style bars leaning into the prohibition-era theme typically have a secret entrance or a password to enter, but not The Social.
“The building was built in 1928, and our goal was to preserve the original architecture of the building, incorporating that into the design of the bar as well”
The Social isn’t just another themed and trendy bar you slide through once; it’s a bar where you can relax and enjoy a craft cocktail or two after work or on the weekend.
“We want it to be the people’s place,” said owner Brett Hill. “Somewhere customers can call their own and return to regularly. I didn’t want it to be a special occasion kind of place, where you have to call a number and get a password before attending. You might go to a traditional speakeasy when some friends are in town, but not every night. We wanted this to be an every-night spot in Winter Haven for everyone to enjoy.”
In addition to maintaining the original architecture, Brett and Ashley have decorated The Social with a handful of authentic items from the prohibition era. When you step inside The Social, there’s a cozy and warm feeling that makes you want to take a seat and stick around for a few hours. The soft lighting and vintage decor make you feel at home.
Hanging inside are giant, genuine foundry patterns that are from the 1920s. The piano sitting inside, played weekly by various local artists, is from the ‘20s as well. “The bar doesn’t just look the part; a lot of it is from that era. We used reclaimed materials and other architectural features that we were able to salvage. It was genuinely very cool being able to pull all of that stuff together,” says Brett.
Enjoy classic favorites as well as creative craft cocktails.
Aside from the decor, The Social has something else authentic to the prohibition era of speakeasies: life. Inside The Social, you will find locals from all different backgrounds and ages enjoying themselves and their cocktails. Every Wednesday through Saturday night, The Social hosts live music. In addition, The Social also offers a variety of themed night experiences for different people seeking unique experiences outside of what Winter Haven businesses have provided in the past.
“We continue to try and offer a variety of events at The Social in Winter Haven that people haven’t seen before or don’t exist in Winter Haven. Based on the responses we’ve received and the turnout on those themed nights, I think there is a need for nights like these and a place like this in Winter Haven.”
When it comes to downtown Winter Haven, The Hills are well-versed. They’ve been in the restaurant industry for over 20 years. And not only do theyt run The Social, but also Fire Restaurant and Union pizza, both contributors to Winter Haven’s downtown life.
“We’ve been in downtown Winter Haven for about ten years now. We believe in the city, the growth, and the small-town energy. We love the people, and we’re excited for the future of downtown winter haven,” explain Brett and Ashley Hill.
In a way, The Social belongs to the people. It’s the people that gather here and make the space their own. It’s the people who come together, drink old-fashioneds and listen to live music that makes The Social what it is today.
And when the night is over, and it’s time to go home? The Hills hope you feel recharged. “Relaxed and stress-free. That’s always the goal for everyone who visits The Social, to relax and unwind after a stressful day or stressful week. I want people to recharge their batteries and enjoy the experience our team has created for them,” says Brett.
“We believe in the city, the growth, and the small-town energy. We love the people, and we’re excited for the future of downtown winter haven”