Blind tiger is a place where liquor is sold illegally. This term was popular during the Prohibition Era (1920-33) when alcohol was illegal in the U.S. and it derives its name from the practice of disguising bars as establishments exhibiting some sort of animal display to evade the Prohibition laws. It was commonly used to refer to a “speakeasy”. Blind tiger has been defined in certain state statutes and case law.
For Example:
- Louisiana defines “blind tiger” is any place in those subdivisions of the state in which the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited where such beverages are kept for sale, barter, or exchange or habitual giving away, whether in connection with a business conducted at the place or not” in Section 711 of its revised statutes.
- A case from Georgia, defines “blind tiger” as a place “where spirituous, malt, or intoxicating liquors are sold in violation of law.”
[Last updated in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]