Kansas

Hays House (Est. 1857) | Council Grove

In 1857, Daniel Boone’s son Seth Hays built this bar and restaurant, and today it is the oldest continuously open bar and restaurant west of the Mississippi and a National Register Historic Landmark.

 

Kentucky

Talbott Tavern (Est. 1779) | Bardstown

The Old Talbott Tavern has been called the oldest western stagecoach stop in America. This dry stone building was built in 1779 and has held up pretty well through the years. Daniel Boone gave a deposition here in 1792, and it has a history of being owned and visited by Bourbon distiller greats such as William Heavenhill, William Samuels (Maker’s Mark), and the Beams. Today, the bar is a Bourbon bar.

 

Louisiana

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (Est. 1722) | New Orleans

The oldest bar in New Orleans is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. It is located on the corner of Bourbon and St. Philip streets. It was built between 1722 and 1732, is named after the privateer (pirate) and entrepreneur (gangster) of the Battle of New Orleans, Jean Lafitte. At night it’s lit mostly by candlelight.

 

Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone (Est. 1886) | New Orleans

This is the most famous bar to stop by while visiting New Orleans due to its rotating carousel bar. The hotel is known for being the temporary home to writers including Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Eudora Welty, and Truman Capote. As a matter of fact, so many writers in its history hung out in the Carousel Bar that the Friends of the Library Association designated it an official literary landmark in 1999.

 

Maine

Jameson’s Tavern (Est. 1779) | Freeport

This building was built as a residence in 1779 for the town doctor. In 1801, Captain Samuel Jameson bought it and turned it into a tavern with rooms to let. It’s known that presidents and writers have lodged here. There is a plaque out front proclaiming it as the “Birthplace of Maine,” because records indicate that commissioners met in the northeast corner of the second floor to sign the final papers giving Maine her independence from Massachusetts. Later, it was sold to Richard Codman and became known as Codman’s Tavern. Through time, the building became a residence, but it has been a running tavern since 1981. In 2003, celebrity chef Bobby Flay stopped to cook a proper Maine lobster dinner.

 

Maryland

Middleton Tavern (Est. 1750) | Annapolis 

This tavern has hosted some of the nation’s most revered leaders, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. The Maryland Jockey Club, Freemasons, and the Tuesday Club met here to catch up on events while drinking, smoking, and gambling. The tavern went though many name changes, but the 1968 owners restored its original name.

 

Massachusetts

The Green Dragon Tavern (Est. 1654) | Boston

The Green Tavern was coined “Headquarters of the Revolution” by Daniel Webster. The original Green Dragon Tavern served as the general meeting place and think tank for events that would eventually shape America. Samuel Adams, Dr. Joseph Warren, Paul Revere, and other Founding Fathers met in secret here to discuss events. These secret meetings led to the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, and the departure of Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, on his famous midnight ride to Lexington and Concorde to warn patriots that the “British are coming.”

 

Michigan

Old Tavern Inn (Est. 1835) | Niles 

Michigan’s oldest bar is also its oldest business. It started as a stagecoach stop between

Chicago and Detroit.

 

Minnesota

Neumann’s Bar (Est. 1887) | North St. Paul 

Their claim to fame is being the oldest continuously running bar. During Prohibition, the bar sold near beer, and the second floor turned into a speakeasy. It is said that the ladies’ restroom used to have a life-size picture on the wall of famous bodybuilder Charles Atlas wearing nothing but a fig leaf.  When the leaf was lifted, a buzzer would go off in the bar.

 

Mississippi

Kings Tavern (Est. 1769) | Natchez

As you might expect, Kings Tavern has a lot of history from being a stagecoach and later riverboat stop. The first known proprietor, Richard King, opened a tavern. The building is thought to be haunted by the ghost of Mr. King’s mistress, Madeline. Her remains were found in the brick fireplace with a Spanish dagger in her chest. Today, the new owner, Chef Regina Charboneau, turned it into a fresh bar and restaurant practicing the farm-to-table philosophy. They also offer mixology classes.

 

Missouri

O’Malley’s Pub (Est. 1842) | Weston

This bar is hidden almost sixty feet underground in the three-story cavernous cellars of what was the Weston Brewing Company. It was turned into a speakeasy during Prohibition.

 

Montana

Bale of Hay Saloon (Est. 1863) | Virginia City

Known as the oldest watering hole in the state of Montana. Today, two sisters, Gay and Kay (owners), offer ghost tours and Brothel Days with bed races, costume parties, and lectures. Oh, and the city population is 196.

 

Nebraska

Glur’s Tavern (Est. 1876) | Columbus 

This whitewashed tavern is the oldest bar west of the Missouri River operating continuously in the same building. Legend says that Buffalo Bill Cody visited here while traveling through to attend the funeral of Major Frank North. The tavern is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

 

Nevada

Genoa Bar (Est. 1853) | Genoa

A number of movies have been filmed here including The Shootist with John Wayne; Charley Varrick with Walter Matthau; Honkytonk Man with Clint Eastwood; Misery with James Caan, Kathy Bates, Rob Reiner, and Richard Farnsworth; and most recently, A Place Called Home starring Ann-Margret. When Raquel Welch visited, she was asked to leave her bra and agreed but insisted that all the other bras be taken down. The black leopard-print bra hanging on the deer antlers behind the bar is hers.

The Diamond Dust Mirror on the back of the bar came from Glasgow, Scotland, in the late 1840s. It was shipped around South America to San Francisco, and then brought by covered wagon (over two hundred miles!). Some musicians who have visited include Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Slim Pickens, and John Denver.

 

New Hampshire

The Fox Tavern in the Hancock Inn (Est. 1789) | Hancock

There is no true record of the Inn’s original name, but it became known as the Fox Tavern when it passed into the hands of proprietor Noah Wheeler’s son-in-law Jedediah Fox. It was known for its balls and dances, which were frequented by the aristocracy of the region. In winter, sleighing parties from neighboring towns would end their journey at the tavern with dinner and dancing. The tavern was on a stagecoach route, and later the railroad came through town. Officials on the first “official” train stop came to the Hancock House for dinner.

            Wall murals in one of the bedrooms that had been painted by the famous itinerant artist, inventor, and journalist Rufus Porter were found in the 1900s. Stenciling by Hancock’s well-known stencil artist, Moses Eaton Jr., was discovered under layers of wallpaper in the chambermaid’s closet. As the two men were known to have worked together, it’s likely that these were painted during the same time period, in 1825.

Since we’re talking rural New England here, it should come as no surprise that the oldest tavern in the state is in what now operates as primarily a bed and breakfast. This colonial landmark is the oldest inn in New Hampshire, and was a regular hangout for the only guy from the state to ever be president, Franklin Pierce. It’s still got a tavern and restaurant, so you can stop in without having to spend a romantic weekend watching the leaves change or some other equivalent unpleasantness.

 

New Jersey

Barnsboro Inn (Est. 1720) | Sewell 

The inn provided lodging, food, and drink from its beginning and has also been known as the Spread Eagle, Crooked Billet Inn, and Barnsboro Hotel. As times changed it turned into just a restaurant and bar. It was built with twelve-by-sixteen-inch square cedar logs and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in Gloucester County in 1973. Today, it features happy hours, comfort food, and an outdoor patio.

 

New York

White Horse Tavern (Est. 1800) | New York City

The White Horse Tavern is the second oldest continuously run tavern in New York City. Originally, the bar served men working the piers lining the Hudson River. In the 1950s it became popular with writers and artists, with the most renowned being Dylan Thomas, who found the tavern reminiscent of his favorite haunts in his home country of Wales. Some of the most influential people in jazz and the newly burgeoning folk and rock music scene flocked to the White Horse.

 

The Old ’76 House (Est. 1755) | Tappan 

Supposed to be New York’s oldest tavern. The video says 1686. The house was the site used to sign the Orangetown resolutions on July 4, 1774. It was also used as a prison for Major Andre and hosted General Washington and his first officers.

 

McSorley’s Old Ale House (Est. 1854) | New York City

This is the city’s oldest continuously operated saloon and the only one I have been to on this list. Everyone from Abe Lincoln to John Lennon has passed through its swinging doors. Woody Guthrie inspired the union movement from a table in the front with guitar in hand, while civil rights attorneys Faith Seidenberg and Karen DeCrow had to take their case to the Supreme Court to gain access. Women were finally allowed access to McSorley’s in 1970, but the first women’s restroom was not installed until 1986. As far as female barkeeps, the first one was hired in 1994. If you order beer, then there are two kinds, light or dark, and they give you two of them.

 

The King Cole Bar at the St. Regis (Est. 1904) | New York City

 There are a couple of stories of where the Bloody Mary was invented, and this bar is the focus of one of them. Besides that, the five-star St. Regis Hotel has hosted too many celebrities to mention. Stars who lived at the hotel include Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, John Lennon, and Yoko Ono.

 

North Carolina

Tavern in Old Salem (Est. 1771) | Salem 

The Tavern burned down in 1784, then was quickly rebuilt with brick. In 1832, a wooden connecting building was constructed. Their claim to fame is that President George Washington visited for two nights. Today, they serve locally farmed food, craft cocktails, and beers in an upscale casual environment.

 

North Dakota

Peacock Alley Lobby Bar in the Patterson Hotel (Est. 1911) | Bismarck 

Peacock Alley has hosted famous patrons such as President John F. Kennedy, Joe Louis, President Teddy Roosevelt, and President Lyndon Johnson. During Prohibition, the bar set up an elaborate alarm system to keep out unwanted guests. The hotel hosted illegal gambling and prostitution, and it’s rumored that an underground tunnel once connected the hotel with the nearby train depot. The Patterson ceased hotel operations in the late 1970s, and the rooms were converted into senior housing.

 

Ohio

Ye Olde Trail Tavern (Est. 1848) | Yellow Springs

This is the oldest bar in Ohio and is connected to the second restaurant in Ohio. The restaurant has hundreds of signed dollar bills displayed with many signed by celebrities. Other original items hanging on the walls include flasks, steins, and jugs.

 

Oklahoma

Eischen’s Bar (Est. 1896) | Okarche 

This is the oldest bar in Oklahoma. The bar closed during Prohibition and was turned into a restaurant, but the alcohol came back after. Today, the massive backbar was hand-carved in Spain in the 1700s. It was brought from California in the 1950s. Eischen’s burned down in 1993, then was rebuilt the same year, and the bar stills stands.

 

Oregon

Huber’s (Est. 1879) | Portland 

Huber’s is known for their flaming signature drink, Spanish Coffee, and turkey sandwiches. During Prohibition, it turned into just a restaurant with a speakeasy in the back.

 

Pennsylvania

Broad Axe Tavern (Est. 1681) | Ambler 

It was first located on an old Indian path that was frequented by farmers and Indians. As the population increased, drinks were added, and it became a place for locals to gather and exchange news. In 1763, Derrick Van Pelt took over the Broad Axe and began horse races along Skippack Road, which became very popular. American Revolutionary soldiers were known to march by led by General Washington. Many soldiers were buried around this area, and it’s said later—after the cemeteries had been abandoned—that the fireplace hearth was made from the tombstones of those graves. Today, the tavern is a family-friendly restaurant and bar.

 

Rhode Island

White Horse Tavern (Est. 1673) | Newport

This is the oldest bar in America. It got its name from a white horse symbol mounted on the building. Not everyone could read in those days, so public establishments identified themselves with symbols. The White Horse was a regular haunt for colonists, British soldiers, Hessian mercenaries, pirates, sailors, Founding Fathers, and all manner of early American folk. In 1957, through the generosity of the Van Beuren family, the property was acquired by the Preservation Society of Newport County and meticulously restored.