It was December 5, 1933 when Prohibition ended. To this day, it’s easy to see the scars that still remain due to Prohibition in this city. Thankfully, in the very recent past, Buffalo’s brewing and distilling scene is making a remarkable comeback.
In order to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition, each year on December 5, Buffalonians raise a glass and celebrate the occasion that took place over 80 years ago. This year the date falls on Friday, so be sure to head to a bar that supports any one of our local breweries and distilleries. Or simply head to your favorite brewery and fill up a growler of beer to take home with you.
The annual event is called Repeal Day Buffalo, and according to the original organizer, Forgotten Buffalo, “The National Prohibition of alcohol went into effect on January 16, 1920 and was voted out of existence on December 5, 1933. 13 years, 10 months, 18 hours, 27 minutes and 30 seconds…”
That’s a long time if you think about it. The 13 years without booze crushed business after business, and was certainly a dark time in Buffalo. To see the industry rebounding is more than anyone could ever ask for.
At this point, it doesn’t appear that there is a concerted marketing effort to get Repeal Day Buffalo to anything other than a grassroots, fun and tasty way to support locally made brews and spirits. But sometimes these efforts can steamroll when you least expect them to. After all, there are some pretty silly holidays out there… which is why it’s the perfect time to capitalize on a day that celebrates our history as a production town.
On Friday, Hydraulic Hearth in Larkinville will be hosting a Prohibition Repeal Celebration and Keg Procession. See below for details:
Lead photo: December 5, 1933 – Adam’s Tavern, Sycamore Street. Today is a pivotal moment in American democracy. After 14 years of being “dry,” the December 5, 1933 repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment proved that citizens could take control of their own destinies and change laws and regulations that were forced upon them. Buffalo was unique among American cities during prohibition. Its proximity to Canada, where consumption was legal, facilitated one of the largest concentrations of speakeasies in the US. – Repeal Day Buffalo