The oldest bar in every state

As the United States marks its 250th birthday this year, Americans are taking part in classic traditions like fireworks and barbecues.However, few traditions are as time-honored as going to the bar.There are more than 40,000 drinking places in the US, according to the 2023 Census. These bars come in all shapes and sizes, but some stand out for their age, with a few even predating the country itself. The White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, opened in 1673 and is the oldest bar in the US, according to Condé Nast Traveler.Although other states' oldest bars aren't quite as old, they still hold multiple centuries' worth of history.Business Insider compiled a list of every state's oldest bar still in operation. Many bars claim to be the oldest in their respective states: Some are housed in historic buildings that became bars later on, while others pride themselves on the title of longest continuously running bar.But for this list, we focused on bars that were the oldest from when they began operation as a tavern, saloon, or bar, rather than the age of the building where they're located. Bars that began in other locations or out of state were excluded. Ownership and name changes didn't automatically disqualify a bar, so long as it could trace its identity to the original establishment in one way or another.We also included bars that were once repurposed or closed for a period of time. Some of the bars on this list continued operating as speakeasies during Prohibition, while others closed. Some were destroyed by disasters, such as fires, but were rebuilt and reopened.See every state's oldest bar. ALASKA: Imperial Bar, Juneau The Imperial Bar was established in 1891. MaryJ N./Yelp While B&B Bar in Kodiak claims to have the oldest liquor license in the state from 1906, the Imperial Bar in Juneau was established in 1891 as the Missouri Saloon.The bar closed during Prohibition, serving as a cigar store and a billiard parlor, the Juneau Independent reported. After national Prohibition ended in 1933, the bar's owner quickly obtained one of the first liquor licenses in the state. The Imperial Bar's website says the establishment has "survived fires, shootouts and bar fights." ARIZONA: The Palace Restaurant and Saloon, Prescott The Palace Restaurant and Saloon opened in 1877. Steve D./Yelp Opened in 1877, The Palace Restaurant and Saloon in Prescott is the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona and one of the oldest restaurants in the state, according to Prescott's tourism office. Located in Prescott's iconic "Whiskey Row," the Palace welcomed the frontiersmen Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp, and Doc Holliday among its early patrons.In 1900, the Palace was destroyed by the Whiskey Row fire, but it was rebuilt and open for business again within a year. ARKANSAS: The Ohio Club, Hot Springs The Ohio Club opened in 1905. April A./Yelp Open since 1905, the Ohio Club holds the title of Arkansas' oldest bar. Many well-known figures are said to have stopped by the watering hole and casino, including gangsters Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, Bugs Moran, and Lucky Luciano.During Prohibition, the Ohio Club turned into a speakeasy and changed its name to Ohio Cigar Store, according to the bar's website. In front, visitors would find an unassuming cigar store, but behind a couple of doors in the back, there was a bar, as well as an upstairs casino. CALIFORNIA: Golden Gate Saloon, Grass Valley The Golden Gate Saloon began operating in 1852. Ivory B./Yelp In 1852, the bar was filled by "thousands of thirsty prospectors," its website notes. After a devastating fire a few years later, its owners continued to sell drinks from a tent.In 1862, the Holbrooke Hotel was built around the bar, according to California State Parks.Another bar frequently cited as the state's oldest, the Iron Door Saloon in Groveland, didn't become a bar until 1896. COLORADO: The Buffalo Rose, Golden The Buffalo Rose Restaurant originally opened in 1859. Buffalo Rose Restaurant/Yelp The Buffalo Rose traces its history to the International Bowling Saloon, which opened on the property in 1859, according to Uncover Colorado.Over the years, the institution has undergone multiple ownership and structural changes. The second floor was removed in the 1880s when the owner at the time installed a large organ that wouldn't have fit otherwise, per the bar's website. CONNECTICUT: The Griswold Inn, Essex The Griswold Inn is 250 years old. James Kirkikis/Shutterstock The Griswold Inn is practically as old as America itself. The inn has been operating since 1776 in the small Connecticut town of Essex.For some bonus history: The building now used as the Tap Room dates back even earlier, to 1735, when it was used as a schoolhouse, the bar's website says. DELAWARE: Kelly's Logan House, Wilmington Kelly's Logan House opened in 1864. Sean C./Yelp While not the oldest building that houses a bar in Delaware — that honor goes to Jessop's Tavern in New Castle — Kelly's Logan House is the oldest-operating restaurant and bar in the state. It's also the oldest bar in the US continually operated by the same family, Delaware Today reported.Opened in 1864, the Irish bar and restaurant is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been a go-to spot in Delaware for St. Patrick's Day celebrations for more than 150 years. FLORIDA: The Palace Saloon, Fernandina Beach The Palace Saloon opened as a bar in 1903. Dietmar Rauscher/Shutterstock The Palace Saloon sits near the Florida-Georgia border and was originally built in 1878 as a haberdashery, according to Amelia Island Hospitality Group, which now operates the bar. It was purchased and repurposed as a bar in 1903, and the new owner enlisted the help of Adolphus Busch — the founder of Anheuser-Busch — to help design it.The bar continued to market itself as a "gentleman's establishment," offering patrons complimentary towels and 14-pound solid brass spittoons.The Palace was also reportedly the last bar to close on the eve of Prohibition, sustaining itself as an ice cream parlor during America's dry era, per Visit Florida. GEORGIA: The Pirate's House, Savannah One part of The Pirate's House dates back to 1734. Rick D./Yelp The Pirate's House opened in 1753 as a rest stop for seafarers and pirates, according to its website.Not only is The Pirate's House Georgia's oldest bar, but parts of the building date back to 1734. After World War II, the building was set to be demolished after a period of inactivity, but it was renovated instead. HAWAII: La Mariana Sailing Club, Honolulu La Mariana Sailing Club opened in 1957. Paul E./Yelp Thanks to the recent closure of Smith's Union Bar in Honolulu, which opened in 1934 and was widely known as Hawaii's oldest bar, the title is up for debate in the state.Murphy's Bar, which opened in Honolulu in 1987, operates out of what was the Royal Saloon building, which dates back to the 19th century, but it has little connection to the original establishment, so it can't be characterized as the state's oldest bar.Arnold's Beach Bar is another potentially historic bar. According to KHON2, the bar opened in 1933, but its opening date is more widely reported as 1992.That leaves another Honolulu bar, La Mariana Sailing Club, which may claim the title. The bar and restaurant have been open since 1957, operating out of a new location since 1975 after a tsunami destroyed the original site, the National Trust for Historic Preservation reported. IDAHO: Ford's Bar in Idaho Falls Ford's Bar opened in 1906. Gary T./Yelp One local saying is "you haven't partied until you've been to Ford's," according to East Idaho News.Ford's opened in 1906 and has passed through multiple owners. ILLINOIS: The Village Tavern, Long Grove The Village Tavern was established in 1847. Jamie F./Yelp Established in 1847, The Village Tavern in Long Grove is also the oldest tavern and restaurant in continuous operation in all of Illinois.The bar and restaurant is home to a massive 35-foot-long mahogany "Presidents Bar," which was saved after a 1967 fire, Food Republic reported. INDIANA: Knickerbocker Saloon, Lafayette The Knickerbocker Saloon has been open for nearly 200 years. Amanda K./Yelp The Knickerbocker Saloon has been in business since 1835, according to its website. Over the years, it's reportedly had notable visitors such as President Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain, Al Capone, and Neil Armstrong. IOWA: Breitbach's Country Dining, Balltown Breitbach's Country Dining has been in business since 1852. Sara Beth D./Yelp The oldest bar and restaurant in the state, Breitbach's Country Dining, has been in business since 1852 and was founded after a federal permit for the establishment was issued by President Millard Fillmore, according to the bar's website.The spot has also been run by the same family for six generations. Fires burned down the building in 2007 and 2009, but business continued both times, running out of the parking lot while the building was reconstructed. KANSAS: Hays House Restaurant and Tavern, Council Grove Hays House Restaurant and Tavern was founded in 1857. M L./Yelp Founded in 1857, Hays House Restaurant and Tavern was opened by Seth M. Hays, a grandson of pioneer Daniel Boone. Today, it stands as one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants west of the Mississippi River, according to the National Park Service. KENTUCKY: Old Talbott Tavern, Bardstown The Old Talbott Tavern was built in 1779. The Old Talbott Tavern/Yelp Built in 1779, the Old Talbott Tavern has offered food and shelter to travelers ever since. The tavern's website says it's known as "the oldest western stagecoach stop in America."One of its most famous visitors was Daniel Boone, who, in April 1792, was subpoenaed to give a deposition at the tavern. LOUISIANA: Old Absinthe House in New Orleans Old Absinthe House was built in 1806. Erica J./Yelp