There’s a new speakeasy in town.
After opening a new location in a former Post Office back in August, High Bank Distillery promised something exciting coming in the future, and they were not joking.
If you’ve ever been in line at the post office and thought, “I could use a drink,” then this is the destination for you. When you first walk in, you won’t be getting speakeasy vibes at all. But let’s be real, that’s the mark of a good hidden bar, right?
Once you’ve checked in and found the secret door, you’ll be well on your way to P.O. Box Twenty One, the newest speakeasy in Westerville, courtesy of High Bank Distillery.
Located at 28 S State Street in the basement of High Bank Distillery, the speakeasy harkens back to Westerville’s surprisingly prominent prohibition past.
Westerville was the headquarters of the Anti-Saloon League (ASL), the most powerful organization fighting for Prohibition. Founded in 1893, the ASL was dedicated to the cause of temperance, believing that alcohol was the root of many social problems.
Westerville was the perfect spot for the ASL’s base of operations. The town had already been dry since the 1850s, with local laws banning the sale of alcohol. The ASL’s influence in Westerville was so strong that the town earned the nickname “The Dry Capital of the World.”
READ MORE: The Push For Prohibition Found A Home In Ohio: Here’s How The Anti-Saloon League Became A Powerhouse
It’s come a long way since the Whiskey Wars of the 1800s, where speakeasies were attacked and Anti-Saloon League propaganda was being mailed out of the very same post office that P.O. Box Twenty One now inhabits.
The doors will officially open to the new joint on October 30, 2024.
The speakeasy won’t require reservations but it does only seat about 40 people, so don’t be surprised if it fills up quickly. The vibes are very Prohibition-era bar, but the drinks offer more modern takes on classic selections.
On the menu, you’ll find everything from giggle water to an old fashioned named after iconic Westerville saloon owner Henry Corbin to the bar’s take on a classic martinez.
P.O. Box Twenty One is open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more info, head over to poboxtwentyone.com.
