LISTEN: Atlanta's SCAD Fash Museum presented a discussion about a new book exploring the history of Atlanta's bars, restaurants and lounges. GPB's Kristi York Wooten goes behind the scenes of this intersection between fashion and cocktail culture during Georgia's Prohibition era.
Prohibition-era cocktail culture collided with couture at the SCAD FASH Film and Fashion Museum during a launch event for a new book about the secret history of Atlanta’s bars from the 1890s to the present.
Inside the gallery at SCAD Atlanta on June 24, 60 pieces by renowned Parisian designer Lanvin lined the walls as part of the exhibition Jeanne Lanvin: Haute Couture Heritage, which runs through Aug. 31. The show is curated by Gaël Mamine of Fondation Azzedine Alaïa in collaboration with Lanvin Archives, Parodi Costume Collection and SCAD FASH creative director Rafael Gomes.
Beyond the usual feathers, fringe and beaded bodices, there were slinky silhouettes from the 1920s and 1930s. And in the corner, a pop-up cocktail bar featured drinks with bespoke local bitters, shrubs, and syrups.
Well-heeled attendees took their seats for a dialog between SCAD FASH education and programs manager, Stephanie Ray, and Georgia author and travel writer, Caroline Eubanks, who presented her latest book, A Boozy History of Atlanta, which includes recipes and a pictorial journey through the city's most notable gathering spots including during Georgia's era of prohibition from 1907 to 1935.
"Prohibition was very different depending on how much money you had," Eubanks told the crowd, as a slideshow flicked across images Georgians burying barrels of beer or dressed in fancy attire at one of Atlanta's early luxury hotels. "There were a lot of moonshiners. There were lots of folks coming from North Georgia, driving really fast, leading to the creation of NASCAR."
After the event, SCAD's Ray said Atlantans' mode of dress in that era took nods from the fashion of European capitals. Perhaps not Lanvin couture, but similar looks inspired by the nightlife of the day, she said.
"It's beyond flappers; it's multiple women and styles that are participating in this kind of Prohibition culture," Ray said. "And then they are being cheeky and putting their flask in their garter, hiding it under their coat. It's such a fun and youthful time period, and I think you see that in fashion — whether that's a sparkly evening dress that hits just below the knee — or going to Kimball House and having a sneaky little champagne."
Eubanks' book is not about fashion, per se, and Prohibition is only one era represented. Her chapters follow Atlanta society trends from the Cotton States and International Exposition trade show in 1895 to the Kimball House Hotel, the Sweet Auburn district, Manuel's Tavern, Disco Kroger, Polaris and even Magic City.
Eubanks told GPB one of her favorite aspects of writing A Boozy History of Atlanta was seeing pictures of "the places that were closed long before I was alive."
"So, you know, Disco Kroger, I always remember calling it that, but I never knew about the disco in question," she said. "And so seeing the photos of the Limelight in Atlanta was really fascinating. I don't think I would have been able to hang during that time period, but just seeing how over the top the decor was, and just like how, you know, full-on — 'We've got celebrities, we've got the dance floors, we've got live animals!' — that was really interesting for me.
Eubanks's reporting led her to forgotten buildings, where she snapped dozens of photographs featured in her book, and to long-standing establishments such as Johnny's Hideaway and Paschal's.
"The hotel at Paschal's that's now next to Busy Bee, it's obviously in not great shape either, so I think it's interesting to kind of be there and see it and imagine what it looked like in its heyday," she said.
Eubanks says she comes from a family of "tee-totallers" and didn't discover the complexities of cocktails until she was in her 20s. But she emphasized that alcohol is only a minor character in A Boozy History of Atlanta.
"Since the pandemic, I think we really are kind of hearkening back to this earlier period of finding these spaces where you can be with your community and everything," she said. "Third spaces, places that aren't your home or work — whatever community you're a part of, I think we are starting to see more of that again."
