The Long Pour
A timeline of American drinking history
Every featured bar in founding order, set against the events that shaped the nation around them — revolution, expansion, war, Prohibition, and the open road.
Colonial America
Before – 1783
1668
The Old '76 House Disputed
1673
White Horse Tavern Strongly Supported
1681
King George II Inn Disputed
1742
Black Horse Tavern & Pub Disputed
1747
Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub Disputed
1753
The Pirates' House Disputed
1775American Revolution begins
1776
The Griswold Inn Verified
1779
Old Talbott Tavern Strongly Supported
1779
The Tavern Disputed
1780
Warren Tavern Disputed
1783Treaty of Paris ends the Revolution
Early Republic
1784 – 1819
1789
The Hancock Inn (now The Inn at Hancock) Strongly Supported
1790
Ye Olde Tavern Disputed
1803Louisiana Purchase doubles the nation
1806
Old Absinthe House Disputed
Westward Expansion
1820 – 1860
1827
Ye Olde Trail Tavern Strongly Supported
1831
New Hudson Inn Disputed
1835
Knickerbocker Saloon Disputed
1842
O'Malley's Pub Disputed
1847
The Village Tavern Strongly Supported
1849California Gold Rush
1850
Landmark 1850 Inn Disputed
1852
Golden Gate Saloon (Holbrooke Hotel) Disputed
1852
Breitbach's Country Dining Strongly Supported
1853
The Genoa Bar and Saloon Strongly Supported
1857
Hays House 1857 Restaurant and Tavern Strongly Supported
1859
The Buffalo Rose Disputed
Civil War & Reconstruction
1861 – 1877
1861Civil War begins
1862
Miners and Stockmen's Steakhouse & Spirits Strongly Supported
1863
Bale of Hay Saloon Disputed
1863
Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House Strongly Supported
1864
Kelly's Logan House Disputed
1866
Scholz Garten Strongly Supported
1869Transcontinental Railroad completed
1876
Glur's Tavern Verified
1877
The Palace Restaurant and Saloon Strongly Supported
1877
Buffalo Bodega Strongly Supported
Gilded Age
1878 – 1899
1879
Shooting Star Saloon Strongly Supported
1883
Pioneer Saloon Disputed
1887
Neumann's Bar Strongly Supported
1887
Bluebird Inn Disputed
1891
Imperial Bar (Imperial Bar and Grill) Strongly Supported
1896
Eischen's Bar Strongly Supported
1896
Springwater Supper Club & Lounge Community Claim
1899
North End Tavern and Brewery Strongly Supported
New Century & Prohibition
1900 – 1933
1903
The Palace Saloon Strongly Supported
1905
The Ohio Club Verified
1906
Ford's Bar Disputed
1920Prohibition begins — the 18th Amendment
1929The Great Depression
1932
Antlers Bar (at Bistro Roca) Strongly Supported
1932
Henry's on the Market Strongly Supported
1933Prohibition repealed — the 21st Amendment
Mid-Century & Modern
1934 – Today
1935
Town Hall Bar Disputed
1936
Forest Gardens Strongly Supported
1941The United States enters World War II
1946
Callaghan's Irish Social Club Disputed
1948
Blue Front Cafe Strongly Supported
1956Interstate Highway System authorized
1957
La Mariana Sailing Club Disputed