Monihan's was founded in the late '20's, when prohibition was still the law of the land. But like everywhere else in the country, convincing Iowans toobey that law was no easy task. They wanted booze and they wanted to gamble, and Patrick J. Monihan was ready and able to provide both.
Tucked away on the third floor of the now historic Savery Hotel in Des Moines, Monihan's soon became known as the place to be. It was the only place in town that had big name entertainment, drinking and gambling.
When police raided the hotel for the last time in 1932, they found a 75-gallon still, 100 gallons of whiskey and corn mash, and the now famous bath tub Monihan used for distilling his gin. But they never found Monihan. As a matter of fact, no one ever saw Patrict J. Monihan again.
Over the years, hotel employees have reported hearing jazz music and people talking on the third floor that housed the speakeasy.
Legend has it that Monihan never left.
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