Step back in time and raise a glass to Windsor’s Prohibition-era past during Prohibition Week taking place August 17th to 23rd. Throughout the week, the following eight local cocktail bars turn into play up their speakeasy vibes and will be serving up exclusive, prohibition-inspired creations that pay tribute to the city’s fascinating history as a hub for bootlegging and cross-border spirits.
Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a unique night out, this is your chance to sip on a taste of the past while exploring some of Windsor’s most distinctive hidden gems. Visit each featured speakeasy, discover their signature Prohibition Week cocktail, and toast to the stories, secrets, and spirits that helped shape Windsor’s legendary legacy.
ekΕ Windsor ~ ekΕ Sidecar
Step back into the spirit of the Roaring Twenties with a visit to ekΕ Bar in downtown Windsor. During Prohibition Week, treat yourself to the ekΕ Sidecar, a bold, beautifully balanced featured cocktail that’s the perfect toast to Windsor’s legendary prohibition-era history.
ekΕ is located at 261 Pelissier St. in Windsor
- Wednesday to Sunday, 8pm to 2am
Erie St Gastropub ~ Erie St Manhattan
Raise a glass to Windsor’s prohibition-era legacy at Erie St Gastropub with their featured Erie St Manhattan. Rich, smooth, and timeless, it’s the perfect cocktail to sip during Prohibition Week. Stop by and experience a classic with a local twist.
Erie St Gastropub is located at 839 Erie St. East in Windsor
- Wednesday & Thursday, 3pm to 11pm | Friday & Saturday, 11:30am to 1am | Sunday, 11:30am to 11pm
Funky Chow Kitchen ~ The River Runner
Inspired by the bootleggers who crossed the Detroit River during American Prohibition, the River Runner pays tribute to the spirits that flowed through Windsor when the city became a vital gateway for whisky, brandy, and other imported liquors. Built on the classic Sidecar, a cocktail that rose to popularity during the Prohibition era, this version blends cognac and apricot brandy with orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of Peychaud’s bitters. The result is a bright, citrus-forward cocktail with subtle stone fruit sweetness, offering a modern nod to the bold flavours and storied history of the Windsor-Detroit border.
Funky Chow Kitchen is located at 2090 Wyandotte St East lower in Windsor
- Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 9pm | Friday & Saturday, 5pm to 11pm | Sunday, 4pm to 9pm
Ikto Tiki ~ Mermaid Punch
Escape to IKTO Tiki this Prohibition Week and sip on their creative take on the iconic Singapore Sling. Originally crafted in the early 1900s with a rosy hue to resemble fruit punch at a time when women were discouraged from drinking in public, this legendary cocktail has a fascinating history and IKTO Tiki’s version is the perfect way to raise a glass to it.
Ikto Tiki is located at 573 Argyle Rd in Windsor
- Thursday, 6pm to 10pm | Friday & Saturday, 5pm to 1am | Sunday, 4pm to 9pm
Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar ~ The Variant
Discover a sophisticated sip this Prohibition Week at Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar with The Variant. Featuring Lot No. 40 Dark Oak Canadian Whisky, B&B Liqueur, Peach Brandy, Green Chartreuse, and Angostura Bitters, stirred over ice and finished with a lemon twist, it’s a bold and beautifully balanced cocktail that’s sure to impress.
Maiden Lane Wine & Cocktail Bar is located at 494 Pelissier St in Windsor
- Tuesday to Thursday, 5pm to 11pm | Friday, 5pm to 1am | Saturday 6pm to 1am
photo credit: @daxmelmer
Thirsty Butler ~ Gin Rickey and Hanky Panky
Double the reason to visit The Thirsty Butler this Prohibition Week! Enjoy the crisp, refreshing Gin Rickey with gin, soda, and fresh lime, or savour the classic Hanky Panky, a timeless blend of gin, sweet vermouth, bitters, and an orange twist. Whether you’re in the mood for light and lively or rich and refined, there’s a Prohibition-era cocktail waiting for you.
The Thirsty Butler is located at 1585 Wyandotte St E in Windsor
- Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 11pm | Friday & Saturday, 12pm to 2am | Sunday, 12pm to 11pm
Vu Bar at Caesars Windsor ~ Maple Brown Sugar Old Fashioned
Raise a glass to Windsor’s whisky heritage at Vu Bar at Caesars Windsor with their Maple Brown Sugar Old Fashioned. Crafted with locally produced Lot No. 40 Rye Whisky, an award-winning spirit inspired by the bold Canadian whiskies of the pre-Prohibition era, this rich blend of brown sugar syrup, bitters, a maple brown sugar cube, and cinnamon is the perfect way to toast Prohibition Week.
Vu Bar is located inside of Caesars Windsor, 377 Riverside Dr E.
- Friday & Saturday & Show Nights, 6:30pm to 2am
WindsorEats Food Hall ~ Paper Plane
Make WindsorEats your next Prohibition Week stop and treat yourself to their featured Paper Plane cocktail. This modern classic delivers the perfect balance of bright citrus, bittersweet flavours, and smooth spirits for an unforgettable sip that’s ready for takeoff.
Windsor Eats Food Hall is located at 400 Erie St E in Windsor
- Thursday, 5pm to 9pm | Friday, 5pm to 11pm
- Saturday, 2pm to 11pm | Sunday, 2pm to 8pm
Gather your friends, raise a glass and celebrate the history, hospitality and craftsmanship that continue to make Windsor a destination worth toasting! Be sure to check out visitwindsoressex.com/prohibitionweek for a complete list of events happening all week long!
