The United States is a nation filled with options. From the multitude of restaurants and shopping malls to the thousands of medical facilities and national parks, there’s no shortage of choices offered. Drinking establishments are no exception. With approximately 65,000 bars, taverns, and nightclubs in the United States, picking which one to visit might seem overwhelming; even more so when you’re visiting a different city and want to enjoy everything there is. Opting to go with history is always a great place to start and the U.S. provides several.
Many of these venues have even been in business since before the United States was a country. Locales that were part of American society, and served in multiple capacities – alehouses and taverns were also used as meeting places and banquet halls. Several colonial-era taverns have managed to persevere, remaining open since their inception. Although many modern cocktail bars and pubs have arrived on the scene since then, it’s still charming to relax in a place steeped in history.
To determine America’s oldest bar, 24/7 Tempo consulted lists of longstanding watering holes on websites including including Oldest.org, Beer Info, and The Coolist. To be considered for inclusion here, a bar or tavern has to have been in the same location from the time it first served alcohol, although continuous operation is not required. It should be noted that determining a founding date for these places is rarely easy and often depends on the claims of the establishment.
Whenever possible we also consulted state historical societies in an attempt to verify those claims. In each bar’s description, the date listed is when we believe the establishment first served liquor on its premises. These historic bars were constructed in the eastern region of the country, where tavern-loving colonists and other early settlers, often from England, first set up shop. (For drinking establishments in other parts of the country, click here for the oldest bar in every state.)
Cantwell’s Tavern
- Date founded: 1822
- Location: Odessa, Delaware
Founded as Cantwell’s Bridge Hotel and Tavern by businessman William Polk, this beautiful Federal-style tavern was purchased by the Ashby Hospitality Group in 2011 and beautifully restored to have cozy fireplaces and plenty of old-world charm. The large menu has raw bar items, pizzas, sandwiches, and local-inspired specialties, in addition to a wide array of cocktails and local beers.
Under-the-Hill Saloon
- Date founded: early 1800s
- Location: Natchez waterfront in Mississippi
Formerly a thriving cotton port, Under-the-Hill Saloon originally catered to grifters, cut-throats, and other unsavory types. It is now a homey bar with brick walls, cold beer, and great Mississippi River views from the front porch.
Jameson Tavern
- Date founded: 1801
- Location: Freeport, Maine
Originally built as a private home in 1779, it was converted to a tavern two years later and served as a meeting place for commissioners from the Province of Maine, where they signed papers to declare independence from Massachusetts and today is known as “the birthplace of Maine.” New ownership took over in 1981, and it was restored to how it might have looked when first constructed. It is now one of the best places in the state for a traditional Maine lobster dinner.
Bell in Hand Tavern
- Date founded: 1795
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
The Bell in Hand Tavern was opened by the former town crier after he retired (hence the name). Located near historic Faneuil Hall since it opened, Bell in Hand Tavern first attracted printers, politicians, and sailors. Today it is a beloved hangout for locals and tourists alike. It is filled with Colonial-era charm and is a great place for beer and bar food.
Ye Olde Tavern
- Date founded: 1790
- Location: Manchester, Vermont
Originally called the Stagecoach Inn, Ye Olde Tavern catered to the famed Green Mountain Boys and is older than the state of Vermont itself. It was painstakingly restored in the 1970s and was added to the Vermont Register of Historic Places in 2020. It still looks very much as it might have 200 years ago, and it is a great place for a candle-lit dinner of New England specialties like Yankee pot roast and scrod.
The Hancock Inn (Temporarily Closed)
- Date founded: 1789
- Location: Hancock, New Hampshire
The state’s oldest continuously operating inn, the Hancock has been welcoming locals and travelers since 1789. Warm and cozy, it’s home to a bar, restaurant, and a 14-room inn and was sold by owners Marcia and Jarvis Coffin to a Boston-based investor group in April 2022. The Hancock Inn has been temporarily closed since then for renovations.
In May 2024, the Hancock Historic District Commission approved several proposed renovations, and the inn is expected to re-open sometime later in the year.
Warren Tavern
- Date founded: 1780
- Location: Charleston, Massachusetts
This legendary tavern famously counted George Washington and Paul Revere as regulars. One of the first buildings constructed after Charlestown was sacked by the British, the tavern hasn’t changed much since then and remains a favorite among locals for its Colonial ambiance, cold beer, and burgers.
The Old Talbott Tavern
- Date founded: 1779
- Location: Bardstown, Kentucky
The oldest Western stagecoach stop in the U.S. is the Old Talbott Tavern which served as a welcoming haven for pioneers during the country’s earliest days. The building is reminiscent of old Warwickshire inns in England and is filled with legendary tales, some of which include Andrew Jackson warming up by the fire and Abraham Lincoln staying there as a child. There are even bullet holes in the walls reportedly left by Jesse James.
Today, it’s home to one of America’s best bourbon bars and a popular restaurant and offers six well-appointed guest rooms.
The Tavern
- Date founded: 1779
- Location: Abingdon, Virginia
One of America’s oldest buildings west of the Blue Ridge Mountains is The Tavern, built as a drinking place and stagecoach stop, that has hosted such notables as Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, and Pierre L’Enfant (who designed Washington, D.C.). It also served as a hospital for wounded Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War. The Tavern was fully restored in 1984 and is now a local fine dining destination.
The Barnsboro Inn
- Date founded: 1776
- Location: Sewell, New Jersey
Originally built as a log cabin in 1720 on the highest ground in the area by John Budd, the Barnsboro Inn has seen many additions in the years since but the original log cabin remains intact. In 1776 the home was converted into a tavern, which it has remained ever since. Today it is a popular bar and restaurant, known for its burgers, bar food, and local beer.
Tap Room in the Griswold Inn
- Date founded: 1776
- Location: Essex, Connecticut
The Griswold Inn, one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country, is an upscale destination for dining and lodging (there are 33 guest rooms, each unique)has a tap room that was constructed as a schoolhouse in 1735 and later moved into its current position by a team of oxen. One of the most beautiful and historic barrooms in America, “the Gris” is known for its clam chowder and house-made sausages.
The Horse You Came in on Tavern
- Date founded: 1775
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Known by locals as “The Horse,” this tavern in Fells Point claims to be the country’s oldest continually operated saloon. It is the only bar in the state to have existed before, during, and after Prohibition and is also said to have been Edgar Allan Poe’s last stop before his mysterious death in 1849. Today, it’s a warm and inviting old bar and popular live music venue.
Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
- Date founded: 1775
- Location: New Orleans, Lousiana
Situated at the quiet end of Bourbon Street, occupying a building that was constructed around 1722, this tavern is said to have been used by legendary privateer Jean Lafitte as a New Orleans base of operations (although that hasn’t been verified) before becoming a tavern. Today it’s a dark, cozy bar that’s best known for strong, sugary drinks like the grape-flavored, Everclear-spiked Purple Drank.
Fraunces Tavern
- Date founded: 1762
- Location: New York City, New York
Located in the Financial District, the Colonial-era Fraunces Tavern is New York’s oldest tavern and is most famously where George Washington bid farewell to his officers after the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783. The land where the tavern sits was once water until it was landfilled in the late 17th century.
The current building is a reconstruction (nobody is quite sure exactly what it originally looked like), but it’s home to a lovely restaurant, a couple of beautiful bars, and a museum.
The Old ’76 House (André’s Prison)
- Date founded: 1755
- Location: Tappan, New York
The Old ’76 House (André’s Prison) is another locale that claims to be the oldest, and although it is alleged to have been built in 1688, reports have it being built as a public inn in 1755. In addition to being used as a meeting place for patriots, The Old ’76 House was famously used as a prison for Major John André, a British spy who assisted Benedict Arnold in his plan to turn West Point over to the British.
George Washington and just about every other luminary of the Revolution dined there, and nowadays it’s a popular tavern, private event space, and live music venue.
The Pirate’s House
- Date founded: 1753
- Location: Savannah, Georgia
One block from the Savannah River, the Pirate’s House opened as an inn for seafarers and soon became a popular hangout for pirates and working sailors alike. After falling into disrepair during World War II, it was restored in the early 1950s and is today a major tourist destination with a full-service Southern restaurant, bar, and event space.
Middleton Tavern
- Date founded: 1750
- Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Established by owner Samuel Horatio Middleton, it is one of the oldest continuously operating taverns in the country. Patrons have included George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as well as various members of the Continental Congress. It served as an important stopping place for travelers who were waiting for the ferry to cross the bay, and also once had an elegant garden.
It was restored in the 1970s and expanded in the 1980s, and is today one of the city’s best spots for fresh Chesapeake seafood.
New Boston Inn
- Date founded: 1737
- Location: Sandisfield, Massachusetts
Founded as a stagecoach stop, the New Boston is Berkshire County’s oldest inn and is said to have been the training location for Revolutionary War soldiers. The original barroom is a pub to this day, and there’s also an inn with a full restaurant, a “Gentleman’s Parlor,” and seven guest rooms. They even claim to have a resident ghost named Harriet who they tout as a friendly spirit.
The Red Fox Inn & Tavern
- Date founded: 1728
- Location: Middleburg, Virginia
Built at the halfway point between Alexandria and the frontier town of Winchester, between Bull Run and the Blue Ridge mountains, the Red Fox Inn & Tavern has an impressive list of guests through the years. From George Washington and John F. Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor and Tom Cruise, this tavern has an impressive history. The inn & tavern once served as a Confederate headquarters and hospital during the Civil War.
Today it is a charming and elegant retreat with five guest rooms, an upscale tavern, and a cozy pub managed by the husband and wife team of Jonathan Engle and Matilda Reuter.
King George II Inn
- Date founded: 1681
- Location: Bristol, Pennsylvania
Believed to be the oldest continually operated inn in the United States, King George II was established as a stopping point on the road between New York and Philadelphia. Overlooking the Delaware River, the inn was renamed the Fountain House after the Revolutionary War and was a popular resort in the 1800s. The original name was restored in the 1940s and is currently a popular bar and restaurant.
White Horse Tavern
- Date founded: 1673
- Location: Newport, Rhode Island
This National Historic Landmark is believed to be the oldest tavern in America and is the 10th oldest in the world. The White Horse Tavern occupies a building originally constructed in 1652 for use as a two-room home. When it was purchased by William Mayes, Sr. in 1673, it was enlarged to house a tavern where it has remained ever since.
It also served as a meeting house for the Rhode Island General Assembly, and it quartered British troops taking part in the occupation of Newport during the Revolutionary War. It was restored in the 1950s after years of neglect, and today the red-painted building is a warm and inviting bar and restaurant with an elegant Colonial-inspired atmosphere.