The 10 Oldest Bars in the United States

PartofthePhlock · Post by **PartofthePhlock** » June 12, 2008 12:14 pm

I was in The Little Shammock and The Saloon (both in SF) some years back. Their history is amazing.

TropicalTroubador · Post by **TropicalTroubador** » June 12, 2008 4:43 pm

Haven't been to those...but Heinold's in Oakland is *almost* that old:

http://www.heinoldsfirstandlastchance.com/

...and I *have* been there.

Some of the old carriage houses in use during the Gold Rush in the California Sierra Nevada have been turned into private residences; I've been in a couple of those. I wouldn't be surprised to find one or two old taverns still operating up thataway that are of similar vintage, but nothing specific comes to mind.

docandjeanie · Post by **docandjeanie** » June 12, 2008 4:47 pm

Both Mc's for this irish gal

PartofthePhlock · Post by **PartofthePhlock** » June 12, 2008 4:49 pm

TropicalTroubador wrote:Haven't been to those...but Heinold's in Oakland is *almost* that old:

http://www.heinoldsfirstandlastchance.com/

...and I *have* been there.

Some of the old carriage houses in use during the Gold Rush in the California Sierra Nevada have been turned into private residences; I've been in a couple of those. I wouldn't be surprised to find one or two old taverns still operating up thataway that are of similar vintage, but nothing specific comes to mind.

Aren't they amazing, especially when the rebuild or renovate with old style crafts. It is amazing these structures still stand, so much has happended; good, bad and ugly.

ContinentalDrifterIII · Post by **ContinentalDrifterIII** » June 13, 2008 8:30 am

Wow, I have been to 6 of them! Lafittes, Bell in Hand, McSorley's, Ear Inn, White Horse and PJ Clarkes. McSorley's is probably my favorite of them all. I am heading to Philly today for tomorrow's show so maybe I will hit McGillins and make it 7 of 10

ContinentalDrifterIII · Post by **ContinentalDrifterIII** » June 17, 2008 3:29 pm

Just an update, I hit McGillins over the weekend in Philly and it was great. Had a great time there Friday night and I'd recommend checking it out and having the McGillins Ale if you're in the area. So its 7 of 10 for me

PartofthePhlock · Post by **PartofthePhlock** » June 17, 2008 4:07 pm

ContinentalDrifterIII wrote:Just an update, I hit McGillins over the weekend in Philly and it was great. Had a great time there Friday night and I'd recommend checking it out and having the McGillins Ale if you're in the area. So its 7 of 10 for me

CDIII you are truely a lucky continential drifter.

LIPH · Post by **LIPH** » June 17, 2008 4:14 pm

Lafittes is the only one I've been in

citcat · Post by **citcat** » June 17, 2008 4:16 pm

LIPH wrote:Lafittes is the only one I've been in

Me too. That place is DEFINITELY haunted. No doubt. And good Voodoo Daquiri's too. I like drinkin' with ghosts, it's fun.

I'm an Altered Boy · Post by **I'm an Altered Boy** » June 17, 2008 4:16 pm

LIPH wrote:Lafittes is the only one I've been in

weren't you there for the grand opening?

rednekkPH · Post by **rednekkPH** » June 17, 2008 4:20 pm

I'm an Altered Boy wrote:
LIPH wrote:Lafittes is the only one I've been in
weren't you there for the grand opening?

*oof*

lilsalty · Post by **lilsalty** » June 18, 2008 10:06 am

ContinentalDrifterIII wrote:Just an update, I hit McGillins over the weekend in Philly and it was great. Had a great time there Friday night and I'd recommend checking it out and having the McGillins Ale if you're in the area. So its 7 of 10 for me

If I wasn't stuck in class all weekend, I would have been in Philly with ya and could've made it 7 of 10 as well. d*m You!

Joetown Parrothead · Post by **Joetown Parrothead** » June 18, 2008 10:25 am

First Ward House, home of Pinzino’s Smokehouse

2101 Saint Joseph Ave.

749-4035

Built in 1878, the First Ward House claims to be the oldest saloon west of the Mississippi, a former brothel, and a hangout for the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. It's door's has only been closed for a few short times since it opened!

And now you can add home of Pinzino’s Smokehouse, since Chad Pinzino took over ownership a few months ago. Charlie Pinzino, of the long-standing, but now gone, Pinzino’s Meat Market in St. Joseph, is his grandfather.

“I started working for him in the fourth grade making hamburger patties,” Chad says.

Chad worked himself up the meat locker ladder, he says, learning the secrets to smoking meat and eventually getting into the catering business. Last October, he stared working for the previous owner of the First Ward House and then apparently made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

So the menu is similar to what it was before, but Chad added some new things. You can still get their specialty three-meat combo sandwich called “The Outlaw,” as well as their popular pulled pork sandwich. But he’s added baby back ribs, a couple of smoked turkey selections and Pinzino’s polish sausage. Tenderloin fans should note that they’re still here, but now you can also get them grilled. Or try their stuffed burgers with blue cheese and bacon or jalapeno and pepper jack.

Chad has “redecorated” with lots of conversation pieces hanging on the walls, or, in the case of a John Wayne cutout, standing in the corner. But don’t worry, it’s still a laid-back bar style, with old hardwood floors, a pool table and a few TV screens.

They have officially opened the deck out back, where you relax and smell the barbecue while sipping one of the five beers they have on tap. And since First Ward is a saloon after all, they also offer a wide variety of mixed drinks and wine.

In the evenings, the entertainment style is diverse, so you’ll just have to check ahead for what you like. Chad says every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. acoustic duo Mike Steggall and Larry Thompson play “outlaw country” music, where crowds can call out what songs they want. Friday night is karaoke. And Saturday night they bring in bands playing everything from country to rock to hip-hop.

“It’s really a mixed crowd,” Chad says. “Anything from younger to older.”

At dinner time you’re likely to see a lot of families, and at lunch time, business suits. And all the time you might see someone in uniform, since if you are suited up (military, police, fire department, ambulance) you’ll get a 10 percent discount.

The First Ward House opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and at noon on Saturday. The kitchen closes at 9 p.m. during the week and at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Carry-out also is available.

Lifestyles reporter Sylvia Anderson can be reached at sylviaanderson@npgco.com.

MA_Buffett_Fan23 · Post by **MA_Buffett_Fan23** » June 18, 2008 6:34 pm

I've been to the Bell in Hand

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » June 18, 2008 8:45 pm

LIPH wrote:Lafittes is the only one I've been in

you were on the way home from Raleigh
I was at Mcsorleys the 8th

AdamBomb8 · Post by **AdamBomb8** » June 19, 2008 3:34 pm

Haven't been to any of them

karat · Post by **karat** » June 19, 2008 4:20 pm

I have been to Bell in Hand...been to the city's oldest eatery...Union Oyster House...