Here’s the deal. You’re done for the day. Maybe you’ve got a drink in hand. Maybe not. But if you want history on the side, look here. These aren’t just bars. They’re time capsules.
Some hosted Revolutionary War generals. Others took bullet shots. A few still have the original wood, smoke-stained and creaking. From sea to shining sea. The oldest pubs in every state. They’ve got stories. Most of them involve alcohol. Some involve murder. All of them involve wood that’s seen better days.
Let’s get to it.
The List
-
Alabama — T.P. Crockmier
Opened 1875. Thaddeus P. A plantation owner’s son. He wanted to build something unique in the South. The wood interior screams era-appropriate. Originally in Atlanta. Now in Mobile. Moved a few times. -
Alaska — The B&B
Kodiak. Opened 1906. Horses pulled the bar parts in. Literally. Horse and buggy. Neon mirrors. Weathered stools. Local fishermen’s haunt. Old liquor license says so. -
Arizona — The Palace Restaurant & Saloon
Prescott. Whiskey Row. 1877. Survived a fire. Bullet holes still in the ceiling. Wyatt Earp walked here. So did Doc Holliday. The walls remember the 1870s. -
Arkansas — The Ohio Club
Hot Springs. 1905. It was a bar, a casino. A cigar shop during Prohibition? Sure, why not. Al Capone visited. Bugs Moran. Babe Ruth. Blues musicians played. Still does live music. -
California — Iron Door Saloon
Groveland. 1852. “Granite Store” originally. Granite walls. Mules carried in iron doors. Fire prevention? Maybe. John Muir photo inside. A natural history museum for Yosemite animals. -
Colorado — The Buffalo Rose
Golden. 1859. Had an organ. Two stories originally. James H. Gow redesigned it. One story now. Five historical buildings on site. Tavern, restaurant, live music. -
Connecticut — The Griswold Inn
Essex. 1776. The year the country started. Oxen hauled logs here. Called “most handsome barroom in America.” Taproom today. History courses. Stay overnight if you want. -
Delaware — Kelly’s Logan House
Wilmington. 1864. Oldest Irish-owned family bar in the US. General Logan named. He started Memorial Day. Capone stopped by. Buffalo Bill too. Trolley Square used to be Forty Acres. -
Florida — The Palace Saloon
Fernandina Beach. 1903. Louis Hirth wanted a club for the wealthy. Rockefellers. Carnegies. Started as a hat shop. Closed last for Prohibition. Now pirates’ punch. “Shipcaptain’s Bar.” -
Georgia — The Pirates’ House
Savannah. 1753. Pirates met here. Near the river. Sat on the site of Trustee’s Garden. First agricultural garden. Was gonna burn. Locals saved it in 1945. -
Hawaii — Smith’s Union Bar
Honolulu. 1935. Chinatown’s red-light district past. Sailors came in. Pearl Harbor pictures on walls. Karaoke now. -
Idaho — White Horse Inn
Spirit Lake. 1907. Oldest and tallest in Idaho. Wood floors still there. Ghosts rumored. Google says closed? Renovations in 2024 maybe. Check before you go. -
Illinois — The Village Tavern
Long Grove. 1847. Ice cream parlor during Prohibition. Smart. 35-foot “Presidents Bar” saved from fire. Burgers today. Open mic nights. Craft beer. -
Indiana — Knickerbocker Saloon
Lafayette. 1835. Inside a hotel. First liquor license in the state. John Purdue. Ulysses Grant. Mark Twain. Al Capone. Neil Armstrong? Sure. Cherry wood bar from 1891. -
Iowa — Breitbach’s Country Dining
Balltown. 1852. Fillmore gave the permit. Six generations. Stagecoach stop. Hotel. Grocery. Fire in 2007. Another in 2008. Rebuilt in 2009 by the community. -
Kansas — Hays House
Council Grove. 1857. Seth Hays built it. Boone’s grandson. Trading post. Post office. Theater. National Landmark. Country fried steak. Good. -
Kentucky — Old Talbott Tavern
Bardstown. 1779. Oldest western stagecoach stop. Jackson stayed there. Henry Harrison. Lincoln as a kid. Jesse James shot the wall. Thought a painting was moving. Or just drunk. -
Louisiana — Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar
New Orleans. Bourbon St. 1722 to 1732 build. Named after the pirate Jean Lafitte. Slave trader too. Negociations here. Smuggling. Oldest building used as a bar? Believed to be so. -
Maine — Jameson Tavern
Freeport. 1779 “Birthplace of Maine.” Papers for sovereignty signed upstairs maybe. Bobby Flay loved the soup. Chowder. Lobster stew. Garden plaque claims sovereignty birth. -
Maryland — Middleton Tavern
Annapolis. 1750. Washington stopped by. Jefferson. Franklin. Freemasons. Jockey Club. Oysters were the thing then. Music. Games. Seafood. -
Massachusetts — Warren Tavern
Charlestown. 1780. After British burned the town. Washington loved it. Funeral speech there. Named after Dr. Warren. He sent Revere riding. Revere came back. -
Michigan — New Hudson Inn
-
Was the Old Tavern. Stagecoach stop. Underground Railroad part of it? Maybe. Burgers today. Karaoke.
-
Minnesota — Neumann’s Bar
North St. Paul. 1887. Bill Neumann opened it. Hamm’s beer sponsor. Intricate back bar. Non-alcoholic drinks below. Speakeasy above during Prohibition. Pond out front. Frogs live there. Feed them. -
Mississippi — King’s Tavern
Natchez. 1789. Oldest building in state. Blockhouse originally. Richard King bought it. Ghost story involves a waitress. Affair. Murder by the wife. Standard haunting fare. -
Missouri — O’Malley’s Pub
Weston. 1832. Underground cellar. 60 feet down. Weston Brewing basement. Stone walls. Irish vibe. -
Montana — Bale of Hay
Virginia City. 1863. Original artwork. Nymphs and Satyrs painting. Ghost tours. Fire happened. Renovation in 1983 saved it. -
Nebraska — Glur’s Tavern
Columbus. 1876. Was Bucher Saloon. West of Missouri River continuous operation? Claims so. Buffalo Bill came through. Burgers good. Beer garden with basketball. Sand volleyball. -
Nevada — Genoa Bar
Carson Valley. 1853. Statehood wasn’t 11 years later. Soda fountain during Prohibition. Mark Twain visited. Teddy Roosevelt. John Wayne. Raquel Welch. Wanted poster for Booth still up. Lincoln’s killer. -
New Hampshire — Hunt Bar at The Hancock
Hancock. Travelers went to Boston via here. Franklin Pierce was a regular. Only president from NH. Renovated in 2024 recently. Food and drink known to be lively. -
New Jersey — Barnsboro Inn
Sewell. 1776 Tavern. Intersection of five roads. Hill top view. Ice cream during Prohibition. Strategy was sound. -
New Mexico — El Farol
Santa Fe. 1835 Warmth and Light. Spanish tapas. Flamenco dancing. Hatch chile drinks. Oldest restaurant/cantina. Friends and family place. -
New York — ’76 House
Tappan. 1668. America’s oldest restaurant rumor. Built way before independence. National list entry…
