On December 5, 1933, the federal government officially ended Prohibition. The country hadn't exactly stopped drinking during the 13-year ban, but now glasses could be clinked in the open. Tampa Bay’s Left Coast Bartenders Guild celebrated the 79th anniversary of Repeal Day with a big party and lots of spirits at Ybor’s historic Don Vicente Inn on Sun., Dec. 2. The area’s top bartenders, and a few from elsewhere in the country (and globe), mixed over 30 different cocktails from back in the day. Dress was formal (and vintage) and party-goers got to take in live burlesque, music, food and folly.
This article appears in Nov 29 – Dec 5, 2012.