These U.S. historic bars are worth your time as both a traveler and a local!
Are you up for a fresh cold beer, a tasty steak, or maybe a burger? The historic taverns of America are living reminders of the past for both the locals and those who love to travel and explore new things.
These bars offer tales of America’s political leaders, literary greats, and significant personalities who shaped the country we know today, whether you’re drinking where George Washington once stood, searching for Al Capone’s booth, or visiting Edgar Allan Poe’s final resting place.
Across the United States, historic pubs and taverns serve as living reminders of the past where you can sit on a stool and watch early American history unfold. The best of the best showcase a bar’s unique history while offering more contemporary food and beverages, even though many of these landmarks have undergone renovations.
Here is my list of some of the most iconic U.S. historic bars, along with the legends that have surrounded them.
Red Fox Inn and Tavern – Middleburg, Virginia
One of my first recommendations when it comes to some of the best U.S. historic bars is The Red Fox Inn and Tavern, located in Middleburg, Virginia. The town itself was founded in 1787 by Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel John Leven Powell, who got the land from Joseph Chinn, a cousin of George Washington, but the tavern was established in 1728.
The inn’s on-site tavern, which has colonial stone walls, exposed wood beams, and a roaring fireplace, is still a popular hangout nearly three centuries later. The area’s long history of fox hunting is referenced in the name. Initially providing food, drink, and lodging to travelers and fox hunters, the tavern later developed into a social center for the rich people of Virginia.
Since I am mostly drawn to weird places, and even though I do not consider myself a dark tourist, what I’ve found very interesting about the Red Fox Inn and Tavern is that it is said to be haunted, like many historic sites, by a white-clad woman who is said to prowl the halls. No matter if this rumor is true or not, it just makes the spot worth visiting.
The Old ’76 House – Tappan, New York
Fellows from NY are welcome to check out another American historical bar worth visiting, the Old ’76 House located in Tappan. Although the small brick building may not seem like much from the outside (you might not recognize it if you have never been here, but you can always ask a local for directions), the interior is warm, inviting, and filled with fun. The Old ’76 House serves delectable traditional American cuisine and also hosts wine dinners, live music, and a well-liked Sunday brunch.
For those interested in the background of this building, you should know that throughout the American Revolution, it operated as the town’s tavern, inn, jail, and public house. The Old ’76 House gained notoriety in 1780 when British spy John André was captured for treason and imprisoned there before being executed a few blocks away. The grounds are said to be haunted by his ghost.
Jessop’s Tavern – New Castle, Delaware
Have you ever been to Jessop’s Tavern before? If not, put it on your traveling list because it’s definitely a location worth visiting. Whether you’re up for authentic Trappist drafts with a plethora of Belgian beers to choose from or a classic Guinness, or you’re hungry and you’re up for a shepherd’s pie, baked potatoes, or a salad, Jessop’s waiters are eager to serve you.
Abraham Jessop owned the building that is now Jessop’s Tavern, which was constructed in 1674 as a barrel-making workshop. Although the building itself has changed over the centuries, first as homes and then as businesses and more recently as taverns and restaurants, the address at 114 Delaware Street in New Castle has remained constant.
Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge – New Orleans
While thinking about what other historic bars worth visiting I should mention, I remembered the Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge located inside the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans. What makes it so special?
I recommend checking out this bar because of the opulent carousel top that illuminates the lounge at night; the bar bites menu is pretty generous (I remember ordering Johnny’s delicious wings), and if you want to drink a nice cocktail, they have a plethora of options ready to be ordered.
There are 25 seats on the circular bar, which rotates once every 15 minutes thanks to a motor. Each chair has a vibrant painting of a different wild animal. The bar has been frequented by Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Michael Jordan, and Tennessee Williams, who referred to it in two of his plays.
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Bell in Hand – Boston, Massachusetts
Out of all these historical bars, believe it or not, this is the oldest operating place in the U.S. It opened in 1795 and has never closed since. Wow! Established by Jimmy Wilson, the well-known town crier of Boston, the bar’s success is largely due to his local celebrity status. With his bell in hand, Jimmy delivered the most recent news of the day, from the Boston Tea Party to Independence Day, straight to the ears of Bostonians, whether it was good or bad.
Over the years, the tavern gained recognition for its welcoming ambiance, drawing customers from a variety of backgrounds, including local students, working-class people, and powerful politicians. The bar blends in perfectly with Boston’s historic downtown area, which is close to Faneuil Hall and the city’s well-known Freedom Trail.
The menu is pretty diverse; from appetizers to soups and main dishes like burgers or steaks, you will never leave the Bell in Hand with an empty stomach.
The Horse You Came In On Saloon – Baltimore
Since its founding in 1775, The Horse You Came In On has been a part of many significant events in American history, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and Prohibition. The Horse, as it is commonly referred to, asserts that it is the only bar in the nation that was open before, during, and following Prohibition.
In Baltimore’s Fell’s Point, the Horse is found in a historic colonial building and offers a lively atmosphere among one of the city’s most historic locations. It features a long wooden bar, high-top tables, and live music every night. Sounds like a great place to be surrounded by friends, heh?
What makes this location so special? Besides the food, the beverages, and the superb location, perhaps it’s mostly well-known because it was the final location Edgar Allan Poe visited before his sudden death in 1849. Poe passed away soon after being taken to the hospital after being discovered in a delirious state in the streets close to the Horse Saloon.
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