“Crossed the lake last night… moonlight and everything.”

In this episode of Postmarked & Tipsy, we read a 1939 postcard from the Warm Friend Tavern in Holland, Michigan—and what looks like a simple travel note quickly opens the door to something much bigger.

The message itself is short:
A quiet update about crossing the lake, a beautiful night, and plans to head through Chicago.

But the building in the image?
That’s where things get interesting.

🏨 The Warm Friend Tavern
Originally built in the 1920s as a major hotel in Holland, Michigan, the Warm Friend wasn’t just a place to stay—it was a social hub:
• Banquet halls
• A Dutch-themed grill room
• Visitors from across the country… and even Hollywood

And just steps away?
👉 The site of a Depression-era bank robbery and gunfight

🔫 Hidden History
What the postcard doesn’t say:
• A Chicago gangster and his crew robbed a nearby bank
• A shootout broke out in broad daylight
• Bullet holes are still visible in the building today

None of that made it onto the postcard.
But it’s part of the story.

🍸 Tavern Drink: Sidecar
To match the era, this episode features a classic Sidecar:
• Cognac
• Orange liqueur
• Lemon juice
Sharp, citrusy, and very 1930s.

❓ Final Thought
A simple message.
A beautiful night.
And a building with a history no one mentioned.

Because as always—
we have questions.