After Abbot Kinney founded Venice Beach in 1905, it became a hotspot for Hollywood's elite. In 1915, Cesar Menotti opened a buffet there, turning it into an underground speakeasy when Prohibition hit in 1920. He smuggled bootlegged liquor through offshore boats and Venice's steam tunnels. Today, the venue survives as The Townhouse, a live music and cocktail bar celebrating its historic legacy as Venice’s original speakeasy.