What happens when you come across a place that promises so much, but delivers so little? Somewhere that should be memorable but is almost instantly forgettable? Well, I for one get pretty disappointed and tell a few of my friends.
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. There has been a movement in many cities around the world to the speakeasy style of restaurant and bar. I've written about a few before and usually they are pretty cool and mysterious. The concept of the speakeasy was spawned in the early 1920's as a reaction to the completely ridiculous prohibition on alcohol, which to be honest also created the modern concept of organised crime - bootleggers anyone? Anyway, before I get too political, the speakeasy also went when prohibition ended, but they are back, and in a big way.
A speakeasy is essentially a secret bar, now often a secret restaurant but the irony is that they are often the most popular of places and hardly secret!
One speakeasy that's been garnering a lot of attention, both here and overseas is a little spot called Mrs Pound. Located in Sheung Wan, Mrs Pound has an interesting back story (found here in full), which includes a sordid but illustrious career of a burlesque dancer who was rumoured to have many lovers but eventually ran away with a conservative and reserved Hong Kong gentleman called Mr Ming. So enamoured with Mrs Pound was Mr Ming that he gave her his favourite stamp shop, which she promptly turned in to her personal playground, resplendent with secret entrance!
