The First Bar in America (2023)

The First Bar in America (1)What was the first bar in America? That’s a tough one because so many records weren’t kept or were lost over time. However, there are a few things we do know.

(Video) The Oldest Bar in America - White Horse Tavern, Newport RI

We know that there was a brewery set up at the Jamestown Settlement in 1609 and that it was likely the first establishment created for making and serving alcohol of any kind—in this case beer. Breweries of the time—or brew houses as they were sometimes called—could often resemble what we might think of as a pub or café. In fact many pubs of the time served as small breweries.

Was this the case for Jamestown? Since no records exist we have no idea and can only guess.

However, Colonel Willim Byrd of Virginia, writing at least 100 years later, noted that "Like true Englishmen, they built a church that cost no more than fifty pounds, and a tavern that cost five hundred."

He doesn't go into detail though, so we have little more than this to figure out if they truly had a real tavern there or not.

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Not too long after Jamestown residents were wetting their whistles, another brew house was being constructed up the coast. In 1612 records tell us that two notable Dutch explorers, Adriaen Block and Hans Christiansen constructed a place for brewing on the southern tip of what is now Manhattan.

The brewery lasted for 20 years before being replaced by another one, but again we don’t know if it was a place to serve or if it was simply a place that brewed. In all likelihood it was a place that served because Dutch law called for each place that received a “patent” (an official recognition as a city or village) have some type of public house.

Again, though, this is speculation.

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The First Bar in America (2)The only record we know of--and that we’re sure of--is one dating from March 4, 1634. A man named Samuel Cole opened the “first house for common entertainment” (as John Winthrop wrote). This was in essence a public house or ordinary house and was officially licensed to be so. The pub was called The Three Mariners and was apparently a hugely popular place in the colony, visted by notables and included in a Longfellow play called John Endicott.

There were no doubt pubs or other, older places in the large colony--or even in other colonies--however this is the first real record of one opening.

So there you have it. Despite what we know is probable—that people were gathering for drinks here or there from the earliest years—the best record we have is that the first official, licensed bar in America was The Three Mariners, founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634.

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If you want to get a sense of what these places must have been like, we did find two taverns that are the oldest existing bars in the United States. The first is the White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island. It was built by Puritan settlers in 1652 but then converted to a tavern in 1673. She closed for a while, became a boarding house for awhile, but started serving again years ago and is now a fine-dining restaurant with a great bar (two of them actually).

The second is the Old '76 House in Tappan, New York. She was built by Dutch settlers in 1686 to gain a town patent. Unlike the White Horse, the Old '76 House has been serving since day one, and continues to serve in the tradition of colonial taverns.

As always if you know of something earlier please share in the comments below!

FAQs

What was the first bar in the United States? ›

The nation's oldest bar, Rhode Island's White Horse Tavern, opened in 1673. Some of these establishments are in America's oldest towns. Here are 102 American towns founded before the American Revolution.

How old is Sean's bar? ›

Sean's Bar has been researched thoroughly by the Guinness Book of Records and proudly holds the record for "The Oldest Pub in Ireland" with an official dating of 900AD.

What is the oldest bar in America still open? ›

The White Horse Tavern is the “oldest operating restaurant in the U.S.” and is acknowledged as the 10tholdest in the world. The White Horse Tavern is a National Historic Landmark being America's oldest restaurant, having served guests since 1673.

What was the first bar ever opened? ›

Sean's Bar, which dates back to the Middle Ages! Also listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the historicity of the building that houses it, Sean's Bar has been recognised as the oldest bar in the world. It is located in Athlon, a small town on the banks of the Shannon River, in the centre of Ireland.

How old is the oldest bar in Boston? ›

The Bell in Hand Tavern: America's Oldest Bar

The Bell in Hand Tavern isn't just the oldest continuously operating bar in Boston - it's the oldest continuously operating bar in the entire country! The bar served its first beer in 1795 and soon became the most famous alehouse in the city.

Who is the oldest bar in the world? ›

Laysan albatross

What is the oldest bar in? ›

The oldest bar in the US is the White Horse Tavern, which was established in 1673 in Newport, RI.

What's the oldest bar in New York? ›

The Ear Inn is New York City's oldest bar — and it hasn't changed much since the first drinks were poured.

What is the 2nd oldest bar in New York? ›

Second Oldest Bar in NYC | Bars West Village | White Horse Tavern.

What is the oldest bar in DC? ›

Old Ebbitt Grill

The Old Ebbitt is Washington DC's oldest bar and restaurant. In the shadow of the White House and across the street from the majestic Treasury building, it has hosted many politicians and celebrity bashes over the years and was once the highest grossing restaurant in the US.

Where is the smallest bar in the United States? ›

What Is the Smallest Bar in the US? Located in the South Florida 'Caribbean' center of Key West, the Smallest Bar Inn is officially the smallest bar in America. The bar specializes in small key lime drinks with a few fruity concoctions thrown in, as there isn't room for much else.

What is the 2nd oldest bar in America? ›

The 10 Oldest Bars In America (From Newest To Oldest)
  1. 1 White Horse Tavern: 1673.
  2. 2 The Broad Axe Tavern: 1681. ...
  3. 3 Old Yarmouth Inn: 1696. ...
  4. 4 Robert Morris Inn: 1710. ...
  5. 5 Longfellow's Wayside Inn: 1716. ...
  6. 6 Colt's Neck Inn: 1717. ...
  7. 7 Three Tuns Tavern: 1723. ...
  8. 8 Logan Inn: 1727. ...
Sep 24, 2019

What is the oldest restaurant in the world? ›

Memorialized by frequent patron Ernest Hemingway in his book The Sun Also Rises, Madrid's Botín—open since 1725—holds the Guinness World Record for oldest restaurant.

What was a bar called in the 1700s? ›

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the most common term was "tavern." By 1797, citizens of the newly formed United States were using "barroom," later shortened to "bar." In the 1840s, "saloon" began to catch the public fancy, becoming the favorite term from the 1870s until the advent of nationwide prohibition ...

What was a bar called in the 1920s? ›

A speakeasy is an establishment in the business of selling alcoholic beverages illegally. They became widespread in the United States during the Prohibition era from 1920 to 1933.

What was bar so called before? ›

A bar, also known as a saloon, a tavern or tippling house, or sometimes as a pub or club, is a retail business establishment that serves alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, liquor, cocktails, and other beverages such as mineral water and soft drinks.

What cocktail is Boston known for? ›

As for Boston, we have the Ward Eight. A sweet and rosy concoction of whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine created here more than 100 years ago, the Ward Eight has an addition that no good drink should be without: a great story.

What is the 100 year old bar in Boston? ›

Bell in Hand Tavern served its first drink back in 1795 and is America's oldest continuously operating tavern (except during Prohibition, which shut down every legitimate bar in the U.S.). It's located around the corner from the Green Dragon, in Boston's historic downtown.

What is the oldest bar in the United States Bell in Hand? ›

Bell in Hand Tavern is believed to be the oldest continuously operating bar in the United States; however, the bar stopped operating during the Prohibition.

Who invented a bar? ›

The Origin of Bars

Retail establishments that serve alcohol date back to Ancient Greece, where men would gather in the evenings for food, drinks, and music or theatrical entertainment. By Ancient Roman times, taverns were arising along roads and trade routes to meet the needs of travelers and soldiers.

What is the smallest bar in the world? ›

Backdoor 43 claims to be the smallest bar in the world. True to its word, this place only has room for four guests.

What country invented the bar? ›

The BAR is a gas-operated rifle invented by John M. Browning (1855–1926), an American gun designer. It has been chambered for various ammunition, but most frequently for . 30-06 Springfield.

What is the oldest tavern in Massachusetts? ›

The Warren Tavern is one of the most historic taverns in America. It is the oldest tavern in Massachusetts and was visited by many famous individuals including George Washington and Paul Revere. The Warren Tavern was first erected in 1780 in Charlestown, MA.

How old is the oldest bar in Florida? ›

Amelia Island Dining » Florida's Oldest Bar, The Palace Saloon, Amelia Island, Florida. Originally constructed as a haberdashery in 1878, Louis G. Hirth bought the Prescott building in 1903 and replaced shoes with booze and named it the Palace Saloon.

What is the longest bar in NYC? ›

Overview. At 118.5 feet, featuring Carrara marble and gold draft taps across the length of the restaurant, Oscar Wilde boasts the accolate of being the longest bar in NYC.

What is the largest bar in NYC? ›

230 Fifth is NYC's largest all-year outdoor & indoor bar and event space. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

What is the most famous bar in Manhattan? ›

When it comes to iconic bars in New York City, Bemelmans Bar usually graces the top of the list. Found in the classy Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, this NYC bar is best known for the alluring murals that adorn the walls.

What is the oldest family owned bar in NYC? ›

Peter McManus Cafe is the oldest family-run bar in New York City, serving fine food with good spirits since 1936!

What is the oldest liquor license in NYC? ›

The oldest recorded NYC liquor license belonged to The Harmonie Club On East 60th Street in the Upper East Side, dating back to 1933. The oldest beer license is for Nathan's Famous in Coney Island, which dates back to 1934.

What is the oldest licensed pub in York? ›

Ye Olde Starre Inn – York's Oldest Licenced Inn

Ye Olde Starre Inn claims to be the oldest pub in York.

What is the oldest bar in California? ›

The Historic Iron Door Saloon is the oldest continuously operating saloon in California. Located near Yosemite National Park, it was built in the California Gold Country sometime before 1852. It was first called the "Granite Store", perhaps because the front and back walls are made of solid granite blocks.

What is the oldest bar in State College? ›

Opening its doors just three days after prohibition was repealed in 1933, the All-American Rathskeller is the longest continually operating bar in Pennsylvania. A true staple of the State College and Penn State community, the Rathskeller's comprehensive history is perhaps the most important part of its identity today.

What is North Carolina oldest bar? ›

The Oldest Continuously Serving Bar in North Carolina

Antlers Bar opened its doors 1932 and has served beer and liquor (more or less legally) since then.

What is the toughest bar in America? ›

Washington

The test is spread across two days and consists of six Multistate Essay Exam questions (MEE), two Multistate Performance Test questions (MPT), and the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE). The Washington bar is considered especially difficult because of the immense volume of subject matter on the test.

Where is the largest bar in the US? ›

Located in downtown Put-in-Bay, on South Bass Island and affectionately called "The Barrel" by many islanders, the Beer Barrel boasts a 405 foot, 10 inch long bar, 160 bar stools, 56 beer taps and a seating capacity of 1,200.

What is a cheap bar called? ›

A dive bar is typically a small, unglamorous, eclectic, old-style drinking establishment with inexpensive drinks; it may feature dim lighting, shabby or dated decor, neon beer signs, packaged beer sales, cash-only service, and a local clientele.

Where was the first all bar one? ›

The first bar was opened in December 1994 in Sutton, London, town centre by Bass Taverns, run by Sir Ian Prosser, who also owned Fork and Pitcher and Harvester.

What is the oldest bar in English? ›

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, St Albans, around 1600

Reputedly the 'oldest public house in England', Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in St Albans, Hertfordshire, has the most substantial claim to be England's oldest pub.

What was the first bar in Florida? ›

The Palace Saloon: The Oldest Bar in Florida

Amelia Island's The Palace Saloon is the oldest bar in Florida and was the last American tavern to close during Prohibition. It survived that dry era as an ice cream parlor.

Which fast food is the oldest? ›

Most historians agree that the American company White Castle was the first fast-food outlet, starting in Wichita, Kansas in 1916 with food stands and founding in 1921, selling hamburgers for five cents apiece from its inception and spawning numerous competitors and emulators.

What is the oldest drive in restaurant in America? ›

The first drive-in restaurant was Kirby's Pig Stand, which opened in Dallas, Texas, in 1921. In North America, drive-in facilities of all types have become less popular since their heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, with drive-throughs rising to prominence since the 1970s and 1980s.

What is the oldest steakhouse in the United States? ›

The Old Homestead is the oldest continuously operating steakhouse in the United States and is senior to Keens and Peter Luger Steak House.

What was an illegal bar called? ›

speakeasy, also called blind pig or gin joint, place where alcoholic beverages are illegally sold, especially such establishments in the United States during Prohibition (1920–33). In more recent years the term has also applied to legal bars that are modeled on historical speakeasies.

What were illegal bars called? ›

Another option was to enter private, unlicensed barrooms, nicknamed “speakeasies” for how low you had to speak the “password” to gain entry so as not to be overheard by law enforcement. The result of Prohibition was a major and permanent shift in American social life.

Why is a bar called a bar? ›

The term 'bar'- comes from the counter in which drinks are served. Also called a 'saloon', bars are drinking establishments that sell beer, wine, and spirits to consume in house and sometimes provides entertainment.

What is the black bar called? ›

Censor bars are also used in art forms such as blackout poetry. Censor bars may also have the words 'censored', 'redacted', 'private information', 'sensitive information', etc. to indicate their presence.

What did the Romans call a bar? ›

It's time to make a detour to a popina — the ancient Roman equivalent of the modern snack shop or bar!

What was a pirate bar called? ›

Category Page. For the plundering and pillaging pirate, work is never done. But, pirates are known as much for their carousing as their skullduggery and where better than a local pub or drinkhouse? Taverns can be found on all the main islands, even on the privateer islands and Raven's Cove.

What was a bar called in medieval times? ›

The tavern, alehouse or inn is a central feature of the history of every age, and the later middle ages were no exception to this rule.

What was a bar called in the 1930s? ›

Speakeasy bars came into prominence in the United States during the Prohibition era (1920–1933, longer in some states).

What were bars called in the 1890s? ›

In urban America from 1890 to 1920, when working-class taverns were popularly known as 'saloons' (derived from the French 'salon'), most customers were men who passed through the swing-doors to join their male comrades in the bar- room proper.

What cocktail is named after a gun? ›

The Gatling Gun Cocktail: A cider cocktail made like a French 75.

What is the national cocktail of USA? ›

While the U.S. does not have a national cocktail as Canada does, it has a national spirit. Bourbon whiskey was proclaimed the U.S. National Spirit by an act of Congress in 1964.

What is the most ordered cocktail in America? ›

Margarita

What is the famous TV bar in Boston? ›

The Boston bar that inspired the TV series “Cheers” was originally named the Bull and Finch Pub, and was actually established in 1969. The Boston pub that inspired the fictional bar in the NBC sitcom, Cheers, is actually a real neighborhood institution that has been serving its Beacon Hill environs for over 45 years.

What is the oldest street in Boston? ›

State Street is one of the oldest and most historic streets in Boston, Massachusetts. Located in the financial district, it is the site of some historic landmarks, such as Long Wharf, the Old State House and the Boston Custom House.

What is the oldest house in downtown Boston? ›

The Paul Revere house serves as the oldest residential building, still standing, in downtown Boston.

What is the oldest known bar in the world? ›

Sean's Bar, which dates back to the Middle Ages! Also listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the historicity of the building that houses it, Sean's Bar has been recognised as the oldest bar in the world. It is located in Athlon, a small town on the banks of the Shannon River, in the centre of Ireland.

What is the oldest bar in Boston that closed? ›

Green Dragon Tavern

The original Green Dragon Tavern may have been built in 1654, but it was torn down in the 1850s.

What is the oldest bar in the world still in use? ›

Sean's Bar has been researched thoroughly by the Guinness Book of Records and proudly holds the record for "The Oldest Pub in Ireland" with an official dating of 900AD. Research is ongoing into the title of "The Oldest Pub in the World"; so far, nothing older has been found.

What is the second oldest bar in America? ›

The United States' ten oldest bars have all been standing since before the Revolutionary War.
...
Here are the ten oldest bars, from newest to oldest.
  1. 1 White Horse Tavern: 1673.
  2. 2 The Broad Axe Tavern: 1681. ...
  3. 3 Old Yarmouth Inn: 1696. ...
  4. 4 Robert Morris Inn: 1710. ...
Sep 24, 2019

When were bars invented in America? ›

In the Colonial days of America, taverns were often built before churches. By the 19th century, bars were popping up across the Western frontier to offer lodging as well as food and drink to settlers.

What bar did George Strait start in? ›

“Don't miss Gruene Hall!”

What is the oldest bar in America Wikipedia? ›

The White Horse Tavern was constructed before 1673 and is believed to be the oldest tavern building in the United States. It is located on the corner of Farewell and Marlborough streets in Newport, Rhode Island.

Who made the first bar? ›

Despite what we know is probable—that people were gathering for drinks here or there from the earliest years—the best record we have is that the first official, licensed bar in America was The Three Mariners, founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634.

What was a bar called in the 1800s? ›

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the most common term was "tavern." By 1797, citizens of the newly formed United States were using "barroom," later shortened to "bar." In the 1840s, "saloon" began to catch the public fancy, becoming the favorite term from the 1870s until the advent of nationwide prohibition ...

Who discovered the bar? ›

Playfair, who argued that charts communicated better than tables of data, has been credited with inventing the line, bar, area, and pie charts. His time-series plots are still presented as models of clarity. Playfair first published The Commercial and Political Atlas in London in 1786.

What country singer owns a bar? ›

Dierks Bentley

Country singer Dierks Bentley has his own restaurant on Broadway deemed Whiskey Row. The theme of Bentley's bar is “an American gastropub unlike any other.” Whiskey Row serves as a setting for great live music, lively night life, and features award-winning food and drinks.

What movie was filmed at Gruene Hall? ›

1. Michael (1996) Two tabloid reporters checking out a report of the Archangel Michael living with an old woman find that it's true. But that's not the only surprise.

What president did George Strait meet? ›

In 2021, George shared a throwback photo on Instagram of him and Norma meeting former President George H. W. Bush in the White House to celebrate President's Day.

Where is the longest bar in the US? ›

  • "The world's longest permanent bar is the 405-ft-10-in-long.
  • counter in the "Beer Barrel Saloon" at Put-in-Bay,
  • South Bass Island, OH, opened in 1989."

Why is it called the American bar? ›

The term 'American Bar' refers to a bar serving mixed or 'American' style drinks, more commonly known as cocktails The American Bar at The Savoy is the longest surviving of these bars and one of the most iconic cocktail bars in the world. Enjoy the best live music every evening at the American Bar.

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