A new speakeasy/tiki bar called Hunã just opened in Ann Arbor right before Valentine’s Day, generating a considerable amount of buzz. And it got us thinking – why should Ann Arbor have all the fun? Does Mid-Michigan have a place like that?
Turns out we do. We’ve had a little slice of that hidden-door, low-light magic sitting right under our noses for years. Yep. Right in Portland. It’s called 118 Proof, and if you haven’t been there yet, you’re missing out on something special.
What Exactly Is a Speakeasy?
If you’re unfamiliar with the term “speakeasy,” they go way back. We’re talking the 1920s — Prohibition days. Alcohol was illegal, but people still wanted a nice, cold drink after a long day. So what did they do? They got creative. Secret entrances, whispered passwords, tucked-away rooms where the music was crankin’ and the drinks were stronger than the law allowed. You didn’t just walk in loud and proud… you spoke easy. That’s where the name came from.
These days, nobody’s dodging the feds for a cocktail, but that vibe — that little thrill of stepping into somewhere that feels tucked away from the rest of the world — people still love that…