I helped discover a legendary Seattle speakeasy, sealed up since Prohibition, and recently uncovered during a renovation. These are the incredible murals found inside!
I am currently writing a book on Seattle Prohibition and this legendary speakeasy was recently uncovered in the International District during a building renovation. My recent research at the National Archives helped confirm this to be the site of the fabled speakeasy, The Bucket of Blood, and yesterday I met the owner to share my findings and to take a tour of this incredible place.
These are all part of stairwell mural leading down to the club itself. At the bottom of the stairway was a heavy-duty door with a small window slit. Members would slide a special card through the slit and would then be admitted once the card was verified. This is a very historically significant site as it is the only known speakeasy still preserved from that era!
It was one of Seattle's top illegal nightclubs during Prohibition, attended by well-dressed high society types (as depicted on the mural) until it was raided and shut down in 1931. Its official name was The Hong Kong Chinese Society, but everyone called it Bucket of Blood due to the enormous tin cups that they served beer in.
Interesting side note: Jimi Hendrix's mother was a server there!
Seattle actually had a thriving jazz scene during that era and people of all races were known to attend and mingle at the various jazz clubs, both legal and illegal (such as this one). The mural depicts both black and white patrons, which was consistent with the culture of that era.
The painted ceiling of the stairwell.
The Bucket of Blood was finally raided by Federal Prohibition agents in 1931. The agents were known for being brutal and aggressive and used sledge hammers to bust down the heavy-duty door. The music from the jazz band was noted to be playing so loud that the people inside didn't realize a raid was taking place until one of the agents walked up to the band's piano player and slapped cuffs on him. It was then apparent that the party was officially over. In fact, the party remained over until a recent building renovation uncovered this incredible space. The owner is currently applying for a grant to have this site historically preserved and open to the public as a kind of Prohibition museum.