PUTTING THE BAR IN
BARBERSHOP Hilton Head’s newest speakeasy is a cut above. BY BARRY KAUFMAN
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PHOTO BY ROB KAUFMAN
The speakeasy is a uniquely American invention, and one of the greatest tributes to our national gift for invention. When the teetotaling masses got their way, launching the national nightmare of prohibition in 1920, it didn’t take long for America’s drinking class to get creative, shipping contraband booze in false-bottomed boats, stashing bottles in their boots (hence the term bootlegger) and finding ways to continue distilling in private. But the finest example of prohibition-era brilliance has to be the speakeasy. Tucked away in the backrooms of everything from laundromats to blacksmith shops, these members-only bars kept the drinks flowing throughout prohibition in flagrant contempt for the law of the land. The bravery to risk it all for a good time, and the ingenuity to stay one step ahead of the law, made legends out of their proprietors. Today, no such laws restrict our freedom to get together and knock back a few suds while watching the game. But there’s something about the danger and excitement of a speakeasy that adds to the enjoyment. Tucked away behind a nondescript bookshelf down a narrow hallway at the back of Joe’s Barber Shop, the devil-may-care attitude and ingenuity of the great American speakeasy lives on in a hard-drinking cigar-smoking atmosphere at Half-Cocked. Far from simply mimicking the styles of the classic speakeasy, Half-Cocked is legitimately semi-legitimate, with memberships to keep away prying eyes and a clandestine approach to keep things a little bit hush-hush. “The whole idea of this is to do things that no one else is doing,” said owner Joe Di Novo from behind the wide bar as construction was wrapping up on the speakeasy. “Rather than go out there and have a drink (in the barber shop), you come back here with a bunch of guys, you swear, you do whatever you want. It’s a speakeasy. It’s a speak heavily easy.” Di Novo, the owner both the barber shop and the speakeasy it conceals, has been pursuing the dream of opening his own speakeasy for five years. Prior to the conversion, the back room had served as storage for select pieces from his extensive collection of cars and motorcycles. “We’d been talking about doing this… but I had a 1955 Ford Pickup back here and I was like, ‘I’m never going to actually fix this up.’” The Ford was gifted to a friend, and the space was transformed. Through a partnership with Jack Daniel’s, Di Novo was able to procure cases of “dummy bottles,” produced for display only, which he converted into the eye-catching light fixtures above. Wood paneling everywhere exudes speakeasy style, and the roll-up garage door provides the only avenue for contact with the outside world. It’s as authentic an experience as
you can get without traveling back to the 20s. As a nod to the speakeasies of yore, Half-Cocked almost feels like it shouldn’t be legal. Anyone who has dealt with the town in opening a food and beverage operation knows that the red tape can be fairly restrictive, with a labyrinth of bureaucracy to navigate. So when you find out you’ll be allowed – and in fact encouraged – to smoke cigars at Half-Cocked, you have to ask if that’s legal. Rest assured, it is. “This is absolutely on the level. I don’t want your wife getting mad at you and calling the SLA saying this is an illegal spot,” said Di Novo. “If the police come, I’ll tell them, ‘When you get off, come back and have a drink.’” But as secretive as it sounds, rest assured Half-Cocked will be a place for everyone. “This is the most exclusive inclusive thing we have here, if that makes any sense,” said Di Novo with a laugh. Already, he’s invited some heavyweights from the area’s food and beverage world to join him in this latest endeavor. “We’re working with a lot of local people,” said Di Novo. As Half-Cocked is billed on paper as a coffee bar, daytime patrons will enjoy coldbrewed coffee from The Grind Roasters as well as a selection of pastries from French Bakery. When the evening rolls around, members will enjoy beer from River Dog Brewing Co. as well as wine and bar food (“But cooler bar food”) like Boar’s Head hot dogs and mozzarella squares served with raspberry marmalade. “It’s like the poor man’s brie,” said Di Novo. “It sounds crazy, but it’s a northern New York Thing… and it’s awesome, especially when you’re drinking.” If you want to join in on the scandalous fun, memberships Di Novo plans to sell memberships with 100 percent of the proceeds from dues going to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. “I do a lot of stuff for kids. This would be one more aspect of raising money for kids, for me,” he said. “Who wouldn’t pay a few bucks a year if the money goes to St. Jude’s?” To find out more visit crownandanchorbarber.com. TASTEOFHILTONHEAD.COM
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