This is a Vintage episode from 2010.

Why This Episode Matters

How a freedom-loving nation came to outlaw the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcohol through a constitutional amendment.
Why women’s suffrage, progressive reformers, wealthy industrialists and economic politics created unexpected alliances on both sides of Prohibition.
How Prohibition fueled corruption and organized crime while weakening Americans’ respect for the law.
Why speakeasies helped create nightclubs, cocktail parties and social drinking among men and women.

The Banter

Mark Pascal and Francis Schott debate a New York Times writer who confronted chef Marc Forgione after hearing him berate an employee during service. The Guys agree the chef was out of line, but walking into his kitchen to reprimand him was, too.

The Conversation

The Restaurant Guys are joined by author and historian Daniel Okrent to discuss Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition.

Daniel explains how Prohibition grew from a surprisingly broad political coalition that included progressives, suffragists, religious reformers and working-class organizations. Meanwhile, some wealthy conservatives opposed it because they feared government interference—and wanted liquor taxes to replace income taxes.

They explore the unintended consequences of America’s “noble experiment,” including widespread bribery, poisoned liquor, the creation of national organized-crime networks and a growing disregard for laws that much of the population refused to obey.

Prohibition also transformed American social life. Speakeasies welcomed women into public drinking establishments, introduced table service and entertainment, and helped give rise to nightclubs, cocktail parties and the modern dinner party.

Daniel also reveals his other claim to fame: inventing fantasy baseball—an achievement Mark considers nearly as important as documenting Prohibition.

Guest Bio

Daniel Okrent is an author, editor and historian whose books include Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and former public editor of The New York Times, he is also credited with inventing Rotisserie League Baseball, the game that launched modern fantasy sports.

Timestamps

00:00 When a diner confronts a chef

13:45 Daniel Okrent joins the show

16:00 How Prohibition became law

21:00 Women’s suffrage and the temperance movement

24:00 America’s drinking culture before Prohibition

28:40 Why Prohibition began to collapse

31:20 Corruption and the rise of organized crime

34:40 How speakeasies changed nightlife

39:00 Prohibition’s lasting cultural impact

Info

Daniel’s book
Author of Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition