It's hard to believe that a city as hip as Boston was once repressed beneath the stifling fist of Prohibition. This dark, "dry" period in our history lasted from 1920 until 1933. Under the Eighteenth Amendment, it was illegal to produce, sell or transport alcohol in the U.S.
The circumstances were perfect for a prim and proper anti-hero to emerge. Her name was Carrie Nation and her hatred for alcohol led her to become a radical member of the Temperance Movement.
Weilding a hatchet, Nation would sniff out alcohol-serving establishments and hack their supply to bits!
Several bars across the country have adopted Nation's name and likeness as a tongue-in-cheek nod to Prohibition, but the Carrie Nation Restaurant & Cocktail Club in Beacon Hill may be the most authentic.
From the moment you step inside, the glamorous 1920's touches catch your gaze. Sparkling chandeliers, vintage photography and classic black and white checkerboard floors guide you toward the speakeasy-inspired bar hidden in the back.
One side pays homage to Carrie Nation and her fellow "bulldogs for Jesus," while the other represents the flashier side of the era, complete with flappers, feathers and fancy cocktails.
The extensive list of artisan cocktails are created using top shelf liquors and freshly-squeezed juices.
Some sound pretty wild - like the Boston Mahatma which features Irish American 10yr Single Malt whiskey, Lemon Juice, Orange Marmalade, Egg-White and Rosemary - but they certainly know how to stick to a theme!
Carrie Nation often features live jazz as well as their incredibly popular Sunday brunch buffet, "Drag Me to Brunch," hosted by glamorous and talented drag queens.
If you are in the mood for something retro, out of the ordinary, and a little bit naughty, spend an evening at Boston's best speakeasy!