Page 90 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2025

SPEAKEASY TO ME
story by Lynn Lofton
photos courtesy of Featured Locations
There’s no shortage of watering holes across the Mississippi Gulf Coast for those looking for libations. Some residents frequent their favorite bar where they meet friends and feel at home. Every town has some bars that have a certain something that
makes them stand out.
One such establishment is the Magnolia Room in Gulfport that
owner Ben Kaufman bills as a speakeasy where you knock on the door, give the password and are given admittance. “The Speakeasy concept is trending and our group decided we could program and design something that is unlike anything on the Coast,” he says.
Speakeasies came into being during America’s prohibition from 1920 until 1933 when there was a nationwide ban on production, importation, transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages. The 18th amendment enacted prohibition and the 21st amendment repealed it. A speakeasy may also
refer to a retro-style bar that replicates aspects of historical speakeasies.
However, during those 13 years of prohibition, consumption of alcoholic beverages did not stop, thanks to speakeasies which were hidden behind unmarked doors or disguised as other businesses. In those days, passwords would have been passed by word of mouth, but now Kaufman posts his passwords on social media.
“I got mocked a little about the weekly password changing, but to be completely honest, it became a cool niche for our guests to find the password across socials and to challenge our team to create a cocktail each week to feature with the password,” he says. “It’s definitely working.”
Kaufman, who’s been involved in the Hospitality Industry on the Coast since 1996, explains that his team is constantly creating new food and cocktail selections, booking live music and offering an elevated experience, unique from
any other operators in the area. “We aim to 90 | May 2025
MAGNOLIA ROOM