Dictionary definition of “mahogany reef”

mahogany reef

n. a place where alcoholic drinks are served, especially in a seaside community. Subjects: English, Food & Drink, Nautical, Pastimes & Hobbies, Slang

Editorial Note: This is a jocular expression associated with sailing and fishing. It is sometimes used as the name of an actual drinking establishment, but it is often capitalized even when it is not. A similar term in skiing is mahogany ridge 'the last ski run of the day,' which is also often used as the name of drinking establishments. Another nautical variant is rum squall 'a euphemism for a session of alcohol drinking, after a fanciful weather formation said to prevent a quick return to shore.' Also, among sailors rum historically has been called close-reef.

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Citations: 1986 Bob Wacker Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.) (May 25) “The Executive Went Fishing” p. 29: If you’ve got $550 to spend on a day’s sport, he’ll meet you at a Lake Montauk bar he calls The Mahogany Reef and take you to some of the finest fishing you’ll ever enjoy. 1994 Dick Gillespie Denver Post (Colo.) (Jan. 19) “It’s no fish story: Yacht sales brisk in landlocked Yuma” p. 10C: Old-time sailors with hangovers explained away their misery by saying they had been caught in a rum front, and hung up on a mahogany reef (a bar). 1996 Noel Peattie The Typhooner (Winters, California) (June) p. 2: We were glad when the club opened its doors, “Mahogany Reef” (a.k.a. the bar) was ready for business, and we all sat down to a very good dinner. 2004 Phil Downing Royal Natal Yacht Club Home Page (Kwa-zulu Natal, South Africa) (Oct. 21) “Words From Our Rear Commodore”: Brian Miller who positioned himself at the Mahogany Reef in our celebrating went to inspect the Flying Fifteens and was struck down by a mysterious force. Brian tells me that he was staring at one of the Fifteens and all of a sudden his legs were taken from him, resulting in facial damage to himself. 2004 Trazz’s Home Page (Capetown, South Africa) (Dec. 8) “Race Reports / Voyages 2004 Summer Season”: The South-Easter was honking up to 40+ knots and only four boats crossed the start line, which meant I was forced to abandon the race as there were no valid minimum class entries. Most skippers sensibly remained at their moorings or at the “mahogany reef.” 2005 Tom Gogola Fairfield County Weekly (Conn.) (Apr. 7) “As The Anchor Drags”: Jake was watching with owl-like contempt from the sundeck, and his classic line, oft-repeated at the “mahogany reef” (slang for “bar”) when I repeatedly failed to gaff a bass was, “Well, he managed to beat one into submission.”

Posted 7 Apr 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend