In 2017 Blind Tiger's creators opened a speakeasy style restaurant (Room 33) in the heart of downtown Erie, PA. Over the years, the Prohibition-inspired venue became known for classic hand-crafted cocktails. However, in March of 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, a state health mandate forced the owners to pivot to takeout only, and in Pennsylvania establishments were not legally allowed to sell alcohol-to-go. At the time, 90% of their sales were bar sales.
One of the initiatives they launched were bottled non-alcoholic versions of their cocktails – and the response was overwhelming. Blind Tiger produces all-natural, organic and ready-to-drink beverages that mirror some of the classic cocktails from the 1920's and 30s. These include: Bee's Knees, Ward 8, Sidecar, and Southside.
The name Blind Tiger comes from the Prohibition-era custom of illegal drinking establishments (speakeasies) that displayed stuffed tigers to alert potential patrons to the availability of illegal alcohol after hours. These tigers were "blind," because the police and authorities - at least officially - did not know they existed.