Find whiskey, cigarette-burned bars, and Wild West history just a short drive from Las Vegas.
Nevada is built on an Old West spirit , driven by the gold and silver haste of the mid-1800s . It was a gold rush - and - bust situation , whether it was Civil War deserters chip away in the mineral - richTechatticup Minein Eldorado Canyon orBasque immigrantsworking the fields in the northerly half of the state . Either way , a swig of whiskey did n’t hurt at the end of a long day .
Therefore , saloons come and go at a rapid pace — as excavation communities flourished , then cursorily turned intoghost town — but a few continue to do job in and around Las Vegas , along with some newer tearing holes that have foster their own timeless Wild West attitude . If you want a taste of jumpy - and - rumble saloons like a real cowboy , there are wad of options ( and a newpassportwhere you’re able to record your pitfall stops and make headway prizes along the style ) in Southern Nevada .
Pioneer Saloon
GoodspringsThe Pioneer Saloon is the old bar in Southern Nevada , put from a Sears catalogue and build up in 1913 . It ’s the main landmark in Goodsprings , a hushed town west of Jean , adding up to an easy detour whentraveling between Vegas and LAon Interstate 15 . The Pioneer Saloon pays homage to Hollywood actress Carole Lombard , who pall in a nearby sheet crash in 1942 . Look around , and you ’ll see other glance into the past like marks in the bartop where Lombard ’s married man Clark Gable supposedly stamped out cigaret while look word of her fate and hummer holes in the walls from cowboy shootouts . The Pioneer Saloon has expanded over the years and now includes a chophouse and patio . It also take in the attending of a novel generation after it was conspicuously feature in the video recording plot “ radioactive dust : New Vegas . ”
Overland Hotel & Saloon
PiocheThe Overland Hotel & Saloon operated as a Chinese - owned occupation in the early 1900s , burn down , and was rebuilt in 1948 as a embarkment family . Today , the Overland markets itself as a boutique hotel with nine themed suites . The dance hall used to be a foodstuff story and a few historical items ( like the taphouse ’s cherrywood Browning automatic rifle furnishings and hotel stay - in desk , which used to be a bank teller ’s cage ) were brought in from Kimberly , a trace town near Ely . The rest of Pioche is full of chronicle , from buildings like the Gem Theater and the notoriously over - budget " Million Dollar Courthouse " to the eery Boot Hill Cemetery , which sit underneath the remnants of cable railroad car used in the Ithiel Town ’s rough - and - tumble mining days . The full community is said to be ghost , so go with circumspection . Pioche is 180 statute mile northward of Vegas and not far from the dramatic rock establishment ofCathedral Gorge State Park .
Mountain Springs Saloon
Mountain SpringsThe Mountain Springs Saloon is more than a democratic weekend biker hangout . The dive bar is a cool detour for those drive between Vegas and Pahrump with a food windowpane in the backyard that serve taco , burgers , and other bites . The paries are decorated with stumper and old dollar visor , collected over the years since the joint first opened in the 1950s . Prices are filth cheap ( specially compare to Vegas these days ) and the monthly fuzz knock are a long - running custom during spring and summer with a drink , food , and raffle ticket include for one price . Mountain Springs sits at higher elevation than Vegas , nestled among the trees and mountain scene for fresh air and tank temperatures .
Mozart Tavern
GoldfieldGoldfield is often described as a " populate ghost town , " which mean it feels from another epoch , but still has an active , albeit modest , population . The residential district is something of a Battle of Midway full stop between Vegas and Reno — and it ’s hard to discount , since Highway 95 passes justly through it while the upper limit slows to a escargot ’s pace . Pull over for luncheon and mingle with the locals at the Mozart Tavern , which dates back to 1921 when it was acknowledge as the Hoist House Saloon . The vintage saloon top and hard cash register are still there , along with video poker and a pool table to pass the time . The Mozart Tavern is between the historic , shuttered Goldfield Hotel and the automobile art of Rocket Bob ’s Art Cars , whose owner is creditworthy for the bizarrely beautifulInternational Car Forestart installation outside of town .
Happy Burro
BeattyBeatty find more alert than other erstwhile excavation townspeople . Just north-west of Las Vegas , the community is a gateway toDeath Valley National Parkand a must - visit for tourists who want to take the air among the ruins and snap photos atRhyolite , one of the most compellingghost townspeople in the intact state . Beatty is small but still has store , casino , and burro who vagabond the streets as unofficial mascot . Their mien inspired the name of the Happy Burro , a cowherd - worthy tap house known for award - succeed chili pepper ( which could encourage a visitalone ) and ice - cold draft beer , help in frosted mason jar . The best hindquarters are on the wooden outdoor deck that takes up distance between the bar and an sometime bagnio from 1907 that ’s now used as a home for the Happy Burro ’s possessor .
Stateline Saloon
Amargosa ValleyLess than a half - nautical mile from the California border , the Stateline Saloon represents the remote , offbeat character of the Amargosa Valley , acknowledge for its proximity toDeath Valley National Park , the Nevada National Security Site ( whereatomic arm were once examine ) , and Area 51 . There ’s even an alien - theme brothel next to theArea 51 Alien Center(a glorify endowment shop class and convenience storage ) . The Stateline Saloon has watched it all unfold , date back to 1953 . It ’s a no - nonsense joint with a reputation for bouncy music , karaoke , and sizeable poop - Syrian pound burgers . It ’s across the street from theLongstreet Inn , deserving a visit for exploring its petting menagerie and lush backyard lagoon .
Side Track & Side Car
CalienteThe Side Track restaurant is the undecomposed place to grab a bite in Caliente , an old Union Pacific railway town that was the midway point between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles . The restaurant is just steps away from the now - close depot ( an telling instance of Spanish Mission computer architecture ) and the two train cars that persist out front as theCaliente Heritage Boxcar Museum . The restaurant has seen its ploughshare of overhaul over the twelvemonth , but still has honest-to-god - school dining compartment touches alongside the vintage Italian ginmill top , tin ceiling , and menu of scratch - made comfort food classics . The Side Car is something of a speakeasy with circumscribed hours in the back , serving beer and craftsmanship cocktail . The plaster on the walls was part remove , revealing glimpses of brick for a throwback feel . Then again , you might favour to cling out on the back patio to enjoy the overbold air and mountainside scenery .
Idle Spurs Tavern
Happy Burro|Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada
Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada
Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada
Photo by Rob Kachelriess
Photo courtesy of Travel Nevada
