As a growing community with a vibrant downtown, Delavan has a variety of experiences for everyone, including an opportunity to step back in time and take in life in the prohibition era.
For the past three years, local entrepreneurs John and Lindsay Neighbors have been providing a replica speakeasy experience within Boxed and Burlap, their downtown coffee shop located at 230 E. Walworth Ave.
The speakeasy, Bar One Nineteen, is hidden on the lower level of the establishment and is open to all adults from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.
Prohibition, which began in the U.S. in 1920 and continued through 1933, banned the operation of establishments that served alcohol. To circumvent the law, some shop owners carved out hidden spaces that only could be accessed with secret information and a pledge to speak softly while on the premises.
In keeping with the theme, entry into this Delavan speakeasy can be achieved by asking a staff member, who can provide further details on entry into Bar One Nineteen’s space.
Bar One Nineteen is an example of the unique destinations available within Delavan. John said he and Lindsay aspired to create a piece of the past within a community that honors history and offers a unique gathering experience.
“Delavan has more to offer,” John said. “Delavan has been growing, and we really wanted to make sure that we could do something that we truly could be proud of, for our city. It really was a whole-hearted commitment.”
There is a range of offerings available within the speakeasy, with one particular distinct barrel-aged drink standing out.
“We call it a bourbon-forward bar,” John said. “We have one of the largest selections of bourbons in the area. At any given time, we have between 220 and 230 bourbons.”
Bar One Nineteen’s menu rotates quarterly, with an assortment of other spirits and liqueurs available alongside the robust bourbon offerings. Six to seven featured cocktails also are on the menu at any given time.
“The range of the cocktails are from sweet, all the way to sour,” John added. “There’s a little something for everyone. We also have mocktails. We know that those are pretty popular, too. There are a lot of people who don’t drink, but want to go out and still entertain in spaces like Bar One Nineteen.”
The Neighbors have been operating Boxed and Burlap in the community for a decade. They moved into their downtown space four years ago.
“We bought the space about two-and-a-half years before it was opened,” John said in detailing the time and effort that went into creating a memorable space.
In addition to being a gathering space, John said the speakeasy has been host to a number of special events.
“We do a lot of events,” he said. “We’re a space for bourbon socials, which is basically like a tasting, and we have hosted live music in the wintertime. We also host private events in all of our spaces.”
The events within Bar One Nineteen are a sampling of what Delavan has to offer residents and visitors alike throughout the year. Check out Visit Delavan’s events page for a full list of upcoming events.
