The Oldest Bar in Every State

Source: Eischen's Bar / Facebook

36. Oklahoma
> Bar name: Eischen’s Bar
> City: Okarche
> Original bar founded: 1896

Originally called Eischen’s Saloon by owner Peter Eischen, it opened 11 years before Oklahoma became a state. The bar took its current name after Prohibition ended, when Peter’s son Nick and grandson Jack reopened the tavern. The bar burnt to the ground in January 1993 but was rebuilt and reopened in August 1993.

Source: Hubers Restaurant / Facebook

37. Oregon
> Bar name: Huber’s
> City: Portland
> Original bar founded: 1879

Huber’s was established as The Bureau Saloon in 1879 and renamed when it was acquired by Frank Huber. It has been run by the Louie family for three generations. During Prohibition, it survived as a restaurant that specializes in turkey dinners. Today, its signature drink is a Spanish Coffee that includes Kahlua. The drink is so popular that Huber’s is one of the largest users of Kahlua in the United States.

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Source: Courtesy of Noriko S. via Yelp

38. Pennsylvania
> Bar name: King George II Inn
> City: Bristol
> Original bar founded: 1681

An establishment originally founded in 1681, the bar now holds the title as the state’s oldest watering hole — King George II Inn. Its founder, Samuel Clift, was granted 262 acres along the Delaware River by New York’s governor Edmund Andros, on the condition that he build a river ferry and a pub. It is so old, the Inn’s website claims George Washington slept there on his way to his first military commission.

Source: whitehorsenewport.com

39. Rhode Island
> Bar name: White Horse Tavern
> City: Newport
> Original bar founded: 1673

Housed in a building that was originally constructed in 1652, the White Horse Tavern was established in 1673 and is purported to be America’s oldest bar. Not everyone was literate back then, and a white horse signified a tavern. Today, it has an extensive menu that includes local seafood and farm produce. While some of the entrants on our list proudly consider themselves dive bars, the White Horse Tavern has a dress code that stipulates “Country Club” or “Business Casual.”

Source: Villa Tronco Italian Restaurant / Yelp

40. South Carolina
> Bar name: Villa Tronco
> City: Columbia
> Original bar founded: 1940

Until the pandemic forced McCrady’s to shut down permanently, it was South Carolina’s oldest bar, founded in 1778. Now, people can instead go to Villa Tronco, which is also the state’s oldest family-owned restaurant, founded 80 years ago. It was originally founded as a fruit store and became a restaurant when Sadie, or Mama Tronco, started cooking Italian meals during World War II to soldiers of Italian descent who were homesick for homemade food.