Club Manitou of Harbor Springs, Former speakeasy and music venue in Harbor Springs, Michigan
Club Manitou was a nightclub in Harbor Springs featuring a log cabin design with dining areas, kitchen, bar, and concealed dance floor. Large ventilation grates served as emergency exits throughout the building.
The club was founded in 1929 by Abe Bernstein and operated as a hidden entertainment venue during Prohibition with ties to Detroit's Purple Gang. It expanded significantly in 1945 with the arrival of chefs from New York City.
The place served as a private meeting spot for wealthy summer visitors from the Midwest during the 1930s and 1940s, where they gathered away from public view. The design of the rooms reflected this desire for exclusivity and discretion.
Entry required passing through a jail-like door while providing a password to the doorkeeper for verification. These security measures were typical of illegal establishments during this era.
The building was designed so discreetly that outsiders often did not recognize it as an entertainment venue at all. This hidden nature was intentional to evade authorities.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
