One of the more interesting shifts in culture caused by the Repeal of Prohibition in 1933 is that women (at least in Pennsylvania) were finally given the right to serve and mix drinks. It seems unlikely that this was in support of women’s rights, but instead to discourage the return of the saloon. The end of saloon culture, after all, was the main objective of Pennsylvania’s governor in 1933. Women had not been welcome in saloons in the past, but Prohibition had lightened these restrictions. Everyone was illegally consuming alcohol anyway, and a person’s gender held less influence over who could be served than the amount of money in their pockets. Women were reimagining their place in society during the 1920s and 30s. The effect of a woman behind the bar would, of course, have a dramatic effect on the behavior of the men in the saloon. Perhaps they wouldn’t drink as much or behave as badly. The days of the “men’s only” saloon was ending…and who was the government to stand in the way of progress? (wink wink)
https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/bessie-the-bartender-americas-female-mixologist-revolution/