Nevada’s oldest bars span the state, with one being open since the 1850s. Check out these 9 watering holes for good drinks and storied vibes.
There’s a lot to love in Nevada, particularly when it comes to food and drinks. Sin City has its fair share of glitzy, world-renowned establishments, and there are also those amazing rooftop bars and restaurants that make Las Vegas even more appealing. Still, we need to step back and think about the history of Nevada’s watering holes sometimes, because there’s some seriously cool info to uncover.
For one, Nevada has had bars for longer than it’s been an U.S. state—it earned official statehood status in 1864—and would you believe us if we said one is still operating today? Yes, that’s more than 160 years of service to locals and travelers alike, including during the Prohibition Era, but you’ll need to keep reading to learn which bar it is and where it’s located.
Even more interestingly, the aforementioned bar is only one of many that have been open for countless years, which is precisely why we’re digging into the oldest bars in Nevada. The below gathering places span the state, from Genoa and Las Vegas to Tonopah and Virginia City, and each has an interesting, storied past but has managed not to succumbed to societal, cultural, or governmental shifts over the years.
1. Genoa Bar & Saloon
Address: 2282 Main St., Genoa
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-p.m.
Up first, we have the oldest bar in Nevada: Genoa Bar & Saloon in—you guessed it—Genoa. This bar doesn’t have its own website, but according to Travel Nevada, it began serving customers in 1853 and hasn’t looked back since. Folks gather here for ice-cold beers, punch-you-in-your-throat whiskeys, and, apparently, some dang-good bloody marys. “Simply put, if you’ve not been here, you’re missing out. Best bloody marys you’re ever gonna get highly recommended,” a Google user raved in their review of Genoa Bar and Saloon.
The inside of this establishment looks antiquated-chic, also known as old but kept up, and that’s what makes it so special. You’ll know you’ve arrived because the bar’s sign out front even reads “Nevada’s Oldest Thirst Parlor.” With a title and reputation like that, who needs a website?
2. Dino’s Lounge
Address: 1516 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas
Hours: 24/7
Like restaurants, bars pop up all the time, but there’s really no beating the classic joints that brought up our parents and grandparents. Case in point, Dino’s Lounge has been “getting Vegas drunk since 1962,” or that’s at least what its sign says. Dino’s Lounge has an old-school feel to it that you just can’t beat. It takes you back to the ‘20s and ‘30s and makes you feel alive again. You’ll also come alive when you participate in the bar’s weekly karaoke, held every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 10 p.m. Personally, we’re pulling out Taylor Dayne’s “Tell It to My Heart.”
3. Atomic Liquors
Address: 917 E Fremont St., Las Vegas
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 12 p.m.-2 a.m.; Friday-Saturday: 12 p.m.-3 a.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m.-2 p.m.
Dino’s Lounge is a vibe and a half, but if you want to scope out a Las Vegas bar that’s even older, check out Atomic Liquors. This watering hole has been keeping Sin City residents and tourists alike partying since 1952. According to its website, Atomic Liquors was the first bar in the city to be given a liquor license, making it and owners Joe and Virginia Sobchika a permanent part of Las Vegas’ boozy history. What’s more, Atomic Liquors can be seen in “Casino,” one of the best movies set in Nevada, as well as an episode of “The Twilight Zone.” All of this makes it a storied, must-stop establishment.
4. Pioneer Saloon
Address: 310 NV-161, Goodsprings
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
If Goodsprings hasn’t been on your radar, it will be now. It houses the Pioneer Saloon, a watering hole that opened in 1913 and has since become an institution in the area. Over the years, the saloon has experienced shootings with the bullet holes to match, supposed hauntings in the form of disembodied voices and items like drinking glasses moving on their own, and sets that have made the bar even more famous by featuring it on the small and silver screens alike.
Walking into the Pioneer Saloon is like being transported back in time, with the decor being the ultimate Wild West fest, but this bar is modern, too. In addition to offering a good time, this saloon serves up two sizzlin’ grill items: the Haunt Dog and the Ghost Burger. Both of them have a spicy kick, making them perfect pairs with margaritas, if you ask us.
5. Bank Saloon
Address: 418 S Carson St., Carson City
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Nevada’s home to many saloons, but they’re not all the same. No, the Bank Saloon is a diamond in the rough in Carson City, having been open since August 1899. It’s held different names throughout the years, but it’s been the same feel-good bar at every turn. That even includes troubling times, as the saloon’s website notes that it was subject to not only prohibition raids but also “hold-ups by gunpoint.” It don’t get much more Western than that, does it?
One of the aspects that people tend to love most about the Bank Saloon is how friendly the locals, which make up most of its clientele, are. The occasional live music night doesn’t hurt, either. Some folks may be disappointed that this bar doesn’t have a full food menu, but otherwise, there’s no reason to not give Bank Saloon a visit.
6. Bucket of Blood Saloon
Address: 1 S C St., Virginia City
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Like Genoa Bar & Saloon, the Bucket of Blood Saloon only has a Travel Nevada page, not its own website. Is it a coincidence that they’re the two oldest bars on this list? We can’t say for certain, but it’s interesting nonetheless. The Bucked of Blood Saloon opened in Virginia City in 1876, just one year after the city was largely destroyed by an out-of-control fire. Before the fire, the building that the Bucket of Blood Saloon is located in housed the Black-owned Boston Saloon, which was significant because other Black-owned saloons were nonexistent at the time.
Today, the Bucket of Blood Saloon is a time machine just like its peers. Locals may be used to the Wild West energy found here, but visitors will feel like they’re in the middle of gun-slingin’ action for the first time. Still, they won’t be completely out of their depth. This saloon has a house band, David John and the Comstock Cowboys, so they can cozy up for good tunes and delicious drinks every weekend.
7. Hard Hat Lounge
Address: 1675 S Industrial Rd., Las Vegas
Hours: 24/7
The Hard Hat Lounge opened in 1962, so you might expect it to have a mod aesthetic, which was everywhere at the time. But if you thought that, you’d be very wrong. This watering hole has a very typical bar feel, featuring wood counters and dim lighting with red accents. It’s not strictly themed, but that doesn’t make it any less fun, a fact that’s virtually proven by its 60-plus-year tenure. That said, one tidbit we love is that construction workers have an all-day discount of $1 off certain drinks here, tying into the bar’s name.
This may be the hangout spot for you if you like your old-school bars to serve food. The Hard Hat Lounge serves grilled cheeses and smashburgers, including a vegan version, in addition to perfectly salty tater tots, which we all want on a night of imbibing.
8. Mountain Springs Saloon
Address: 19050 NV-160, Las Vegas
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Looking for a getaway from Las Vegas? Check out the Mountain Springs Saloon. This establishment is located not far outside of the city on Potosi Mountain—about a 45 to 50-minute drive—and it’s kept guests’ bellies warm since 1952. This saloon features live music like many of the others on this list, but what makes it different is its food selection. Rather than selling a couple of greasy items like most bars, the Mountain Springs Saloon has an in-house restaurant called Mario’s Taco Shop. Here, visitors can order nachos, breakfast burritos, tacos, and enchiladas alongside bar favorites like burgers and BBQ ribs. That alone is enough to make us commit to the drive from the city!
9. Tonopah Liquor Company
Address: 133 N Main St., Tonopah
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Last but certainly not least, we have Tonopah Liquor Company (TLC). This beloved gathering place opened its doors in 1906, easily making it one of the oldest bars in the state. At TLC, you can order all of your favorite drinks, but you may want to give a whiskey or two (or three) a shot. That’s because TLC prides itself on its whiskey collection, with the bar offering more than 100 options. The bar is so serious about its whiskeys that it created a group for it: the TLC Whiskey 100 Club. Outside of sampling whiskey, fun activities at this old-school saloon-style bar include trivia nights, music bingo, karaoke, prom parties, and more. You know what they say: There’s never a dull moment at TLC (and maybe don’t go chasin’ waterfalls).
