Immerse Yourself In a Jazz Wonderland at this Stylish Rochester Speakeasy

This bookshelf is no ordinary bookshelf, and if you pull the right book, you’ll find yourself entering one of Rochester, New York’s newest speakeasy and jazz lounge.

The concept of the “speakeasy” dates back to the 1880s in Pittsburgh when underground bars began operating illegally as a means to sell spirits to customers without going the legal route of paying for expensive licenses or permits from the city. “Speakeasy” became a descriptive term to ensure the surreptitiousness of the bar, as if to say, “Don’t go shouting about this place.” It was a measure to avoid discovery by authorities, don’t speak loudly, speak softly, speakeasy.

On January 17, 1919, under nationwide pressure from growing supporters of the Temperance movement, various Christian groups, the Anti-Saloon League, and increasing anti-German sentiment, the U.S. government passed the 18th Amendment, which effectively banned the sale, transportation, importation, and production of liquor in the United States. The thirteen years between 1920 and 1933 have come to be known as ‘Prohibition’.

Let’s be clear, like in all cases, Prohibition and the criminalization of alcohol manufacturing and sales did not stop the consumption of alcohol in the U.S.; rather, many bars and liquor establishments went underground, resulting in the rise of speakeasies, hot rods, crime, murder, and the legacy of notorious gangsters.

After searching the shelves for the right book, a door opens and you can enter a dimly lit lounge area for cocktails and a night of jazz.

While Prohibition is long over, speakeasies have become a phenomenon that has continued onward. No longer hiding in the shadows, these trendy bars are fully licensed, and bring together multiple elements of a classy cocktail bar, the adventure of finding the entryway, and are a great gathering space for a fun night out.

Enter Vanni’s Jazz Lounge, a new Rochester speakeasy, jazz room, and craft cocktail bar, delivering a wonderland of style and vibrant musical nights to the late-night bar scene in the city. Located inside the Inn on Broadway in downtown Rochester, New York, off Broadway and East Avenue, the lounge is already bringing together visitors from all around the city and travelers from far and wide who came to explore the elevated vibes of the neighborhood.

Local jazz performers prepare to entertain the crowd at Vanni's Jazz Lounge

Whether it’s friends having a fun night out, a couple engaging in a romantic evening, or someone looking to indulge in the beats of a stellar jazz club, Vanni’s Jazz Lounge is setting a new mood in downtown Roc.

Rochester, New York, is known for its dynamic cocktail scene. It is a city that hosts annual events like the Rochester Cocktail Revival, which brings together a wide range of bars and restaurants to reimagine craft cocktails and uplift the classics. The cocktail game is no exception, at Vanni’s, where craft drinks are being reimagined and bartenders are bringing their flair to the mix. For instance, the reimagined Paper Plane, which they’re calling a Paper Crane, features Toki Suntory Whiskey rather than the traditional Bourbon whiskey, and is topped with a small origami crane.

A tiny paper crane sits upon the namesake cocktail from Vanni’s Jazz Lounge. Vanni’s Paper Crane is a reimagined version of the Paper Crane with a distinctly Japanese influence. The drink features Toki Suntory Whiskey, Amaro Nonino, and Aperol.

You can visit Vanni’s Jazz Lounge by entering the Inn on Broadway and doing the investigative work to find the well-hidden speakeasy. If you love jazz, good libations, and immersing yourself in the book stacks, then a wonderland awaits.