Speakeasies, Spirits and the 1920s
Haunted Las Vegas
In the 1920s, two kinds of spirits were forbidden, and people went looking for both behind closed doors.
National Prohibition began in 1920 and lasted until 1933. Bars went underground as speakeasies: hidden rooms behind unmarked doors, where you needed the right word to get in. At the same time, séances were at the height of their popularity. Both offered the same thrill: something secret, a little dangerous, and shared only with the people in the room.
Las Vegas during Prohibition
Early Las Vegas was never quite as dry as the law intended. Downtown's Block 16 was known for its saloons, and drinking carried on there through the Prohibition years. The city's reputation for looking the other way started early.
1923 Prohibition Bar
Today, 1923 Prohibition Bar inside Mandalay Bay recreates that world: velvet booths, vintage films and craft cocktails, tucked away from the casino floor. It is also home to Ghost Stories, where a hidden chamber inside the bar becomes a séance room for about 40 guests.
Read the Ghost Stories FAQ to plan your visit, including the dress code (speakeasy smart is encouraged).