6+ Old Western Saloons That You Can Still Drink At Today
on Jul 15, 2021 • Updated Jan 07, 2022
Back in the days of the wild west, cowboys and outlaws alike could be found knocking back a few glasses at their local saloon. While Western-style bars are iconic in films, there are few authentic saloons for patrons to visit today. Only a few Western taverns have survived the trip into the 21st century.
Here are seven saloons that cowboy enthusiasts need to visit before they die:
Silver Dollar Saloon
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This authentic drinking spot is located in Leadville, Colorado. It has a history of dangerous attendants, including fugitive John Henry “Doc” Holliday, who famously murdered an officer of the law to avoid a $5 debt. The famous outlaw (and dentist) may have even played the vintage piano that has sat inside the establishment since it opened in 1879.
Menger Bar
Menger Bar opened in 1858 and is one of the oldest bars in the United States. Located in San Antonio, Texas, the famous saloon has served historical figures such as Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, and more. The bar also saw some of the most cattle dealings in the country and remains one of the city’s top tourist attractions.
For more on the bar’s history, check out the clip below.
Pioneer Saloon
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Western fans might think Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada, looks a little familiar! The classic-style Western pub has been featured as a backdrop in several films, including “The Mexican” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”
Buckhorn Exchange
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This saloon was founded in 1893 in Denver, Colorado, by Henry H. Zietz. The local legend and business owner served as a bodyguard for millionaire H. A. W. Horace, a scout for Buffalo Bill, and a rider for the Pony Express.
Old Style Saloon No. 10
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Old Style Saloon No. 10 in South Dakota not only has 171 different types of scotches, whiskeys, and bourbons on the menu, but the site also claims to be the location where Wild Bill Hickok died. On August 2, 1876, Wild Bill was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall while he was playing poker.
Big Nose Kate’s Saloon
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This business was established in Tombstone, Arizona, in 1880 as the Grand Hotel. At the time, the business was frequented by outlaws such as Clanton Gang and Doc Holliday. The building burned down just two years after opening its doors and was later reconstructed into a saloon.
White Elephant Saloon
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This saloon is known for the famous brawl between Fort Worth Sheriff “Longhair Jim” Courtright and the saloon owner Luke Short. The two engaged in a gunfight at the original tap house, and Short ultimately killed Courtright in the short-range fight. While the bar first opened on Hell’s Half Acre in the 1880s, the establishment later moved to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.
For more on what Western saloons used to be like, check out the following video.
