Travel back to the roaring ‘20s in The Thompson House Speakeasy

Set in the basement of the historic Thompson House Inn, their newest experience awaits guests at The Thompson House Speakeasy. Guests are invited to descend the staircase into a bygone era; the warm wood walls and dim lit atmosphere is deisnged to transport guests back in time to when Wood and Idella Thompson entertained their friends with hand-crafted cocktails and chef prepared shareable plates. The new lounge provides an upscale experience for guests to enjoy with whispers of days gone by and the charm and allure of the southern hospitality that guests already know and love from The 1902 T.H. Restaurant and Bar.

Current owners Jerry and Misty Galloway, along with innkeepers Miller and Bella Gehrke, aim to create a space that takes patrons back in time while maintaining a sense of modern luxury. From a curated cocktail menu to the décor, the Thompson House Speakeasy was designed to be an amazing experience. The original owner of The Thompson House was Joseph Wood Thompson, who was born in 1871. In 1898, Wood

Thompson married Idella Elizabeth Long, and, together, they built The Thompson House in 1902. Wood Thompson was a successful businessman and community leader. As the years passed, “Cotton became King” in the Mississippi Delta; and, as a result, the landowners prospered.

Many of the local planters built or renovated their first homes, and the Thompsons were among them, renovating in the 1920s the mansion that stands today. In the Art Deco era of the roaring ‘20s, elegant lifestyles and lavish dinner parties were the norm. Guests dressed up for dinner each night, and food, wines and spirits were the stars of the show.

One hundred years later, the Thompson House Inn aspires to honor the landmark mansion with the same traditions of southern hospitality from the past. The owners say they think that Wood Thompson “would be pleased to know that guests are able to still enjoy his beloved home while delighting in delectable cuisine and handcrafted cocktails within his walls.”

“Many thanks to Jerry and Misty Galloway, Miller and Bella Gehrke, Sophie Galloway and Heath Poindexter, and to their contractor, Larry,” said previous Thompson House owner Mary Shaifer Boteler. “It’s very exciting to see all the wonderful things you are doing in Leland. And thank you for reminding us of our history and celebrating the Thompson family. See you at the Speakeasy!”