Step back to an era of speakeasies, jazz, and endless glamour. The 1920s left an indelible mark on cities worldwide, with many historic establishments still serving cocktails and stories from those fascinating times.
These places don’t just preserve history – they let you live it. From hidden bars to grand hotels, each spot holds secrets of a time when everything sparkled a little brighter.
Chicago, USA
The Green Mill stands today exactly as it did when Al Capone’s favorite booth overlooked the jazz stage. This authentic speakeasy still features its original Art Deco interior and hidden tunnels once used to escape police raids.
Today’s visitors can sip classic cocktails while listening to live jazz in the same velvet booths that hosted gangsters and celebrities alike.
Paris, France
Harry’s New York Bar has remained unchanged since serving Ernest Hemingway and Coco Chanel. The wood-paneled walls still display original photos from the 1920s, while bartenders mix classic cocktails using century-old recipes.
They even claim to have invented the Bloody Mary right here in 1921.
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New Orleans, USA
Hotel Monteleone’s famous Carousel Bar spins guests back in time. This revolving bar has been turning since 1925, serving its signature Vieux Carré cocktail to generations of patrons.
The hotel’s elegant lobby still features its original chandeliers and marble floors.
Melbourne, Australia
Young and Jackson’s Hotel preserves its 1920s charm to the last brass rail. The upstairs Chloe Bar, named after its famous painting, maintains its period furniture and original stained glass windows.
Local lore claims several ghosts from the era still frequent their favorite spots.
London, UK
The American Bar at The Savoy Hotel continues mixing drinks from its 1920s cocktail books. Its art deco interior, with period photographs and original fixtures, transports visitors to the Jazz Age.
The pianist still plays the same baby grand from 1925.
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Havana, Cuba
Hotel Nacional is a monument to 1920s luxury, hosting everyone from Frank Sinatra to Winston Churchill. Its outdoor terrace overlooking the Malecón remains virtually untouched, serving classic mojitos using pre-revolution recipes.
The colonial architecture and original furnishings create an authentic time capsule.
Shanghai, China
The Peace Hotel’s Jazz Bar showcases the city’s golden age elegance. The octagonal bar still features its original green stained glass roof, while elderly musicians play jazz standards just as they did nearly a century ago.
Every corner tells stories of Shanghai’s ‘20s.
Cairo, Egypt
Windsor Hotel’s Barrel Bar maintains its British colonial atmosphere from the 1920s. The original barrel-shaped bar counter and cedar wood panels remain intact, while photographs of early patrons line the walls.
The bar still serves traditional gin cocktails from antique glassware.
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San Francisco, USA
The Top of the Mark began as a penthouse suite in 1926 before becoming the city’s most glamorous bar. Its wrap-around windows still offer the same spectacular views that impressed visitors during prohibition.
The martini menu includes recipes from its opening year.
Berlin, Germany
Clärchens Ballhaus keeps dancing like it’s 1927 in its mirrored ballroom. The peeling paint and vintage chandeliers create an authentically aged atmosphere as couples twirl to period music.
The building survived World War II virtually untouched, preserving its original charm.
Venice, Italy
Harry’s Bar opened its doors in 1929 and hasn’t changed a thing since. The intimate space still serves Bellinis in the same small glasses used when they invented the drink.
Even the bar stools maintain their original positions from opening day.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina
Confitería Ideal retains every detail of its 1920s splendor. The marble columns, stained-glass ceiling, and wooden dance floor continue to host tango dancers just as they did during the golden age.
Time seems to move slower in this historic cafe.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hotel American’s Bar mixes drinks behind its original Art Deco counter. The stained glass windows and brass fixtures remain unchanged since the hotel’s heyday in the 1920s.
The signature cocktail menu features drinks from each decade of operation.
Mumbai, India
The Harbour Bar at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel holds the city’s first liquor license. Its dark wood paneling and leather chairs maintain the exact ambiance of 1920s colonial splendor.
They still serve the same punch recipe that celebrated the end of prohibition.
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Seattle, USA
Smith Tower Observatory Bar is located exactly as it was when it was the city’s tallest building. The Chinese room’s carved ceiling and period furniture offer the same views that impressed visitors in 1924.
The bar’s classic cocktail menu features local spirits from prohibition-era recipes.
Vienna, Austria
Loos American Bar showcases Adolf Loos’s original 1928 design. The tiny space features its original mahogany paneling and marble details, serving classic cocktails in vintage glassware.
It’s so authentic that walking in feels like time travel.
Sydney, Australia
The Victoria Room at Hotel Ashfield maintains its complete 1920s décor. The pressed metal ceilings, leadlight windows, and period furniture create an authentic atmosphere.
They still use original cocktail shakers from the era.
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Mexico City, Mexico
Bar La Opera preserves bullet holes allegedly from Pancho Villa’s gun alongside its 1920s elegance. The baroque interior, complete with original mirrors and chandeliers, continues serving traditional cocktails.
Opera music still plays from vintage speakers.
Singapore
Long Bar at Raffles Hotel keeps muddling Singapore Slings where they were invented. The colonial-style room, with rattan fans and teak furnishings, maintains its 1920s atmosphere.
Even the practice of throwing peanut shells on the floor continues.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The Café Royal Circle Bar maintains its Edwardian grandeur from the moment you step inside. Ornate stained glass windows and baroque mirrors frame Scotland’s finest Victorian bar interior.
The establishment still uses antique brass beer pulls and serves traditional Scottish ales alongside classic cocktails in its original Doulton ceramic bar.
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The Spirit Lives On
Walking into these historic establishments feels like stepping through time. The carefully preserved interiors, classic cocktails, and enduring traditions connect modern visitors to the glamour and excitement of the 1920s. While the world outside has changed dramatically, these venues keep the spirit of the Jazz Age alive.
Every clink of vintage glassware and creak of original floorboards tells stories of an unforgettable era. These places don’t just remember the 1920s – they let us experience them firsthand, one classic cocktail at a time.
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