#6343 - Sons of Hermann Hall, Dallas, TX - 9/10/2025

Sons of Hermann Hall, Dallas, TX

I'm not sure how old the bar at the Sons of Hermann Hall is, but it appears to have had a bar and a ballroom right from the start, i.e. when it opened in 1911* for the Dallas chapter of the fraternal organization created to preserve German traditions and ease the transition of German immigrants into American society.

Looking at the building today, I see no reason to doubt that the bar and ballroom started out in the same segments of the building as they do today?  Indeed, given its private status (and home to so many Germans) during prohibition, one assumes that its life as a bar barely slowed during federal prohibition. 

It is said to be the last remaining all-wood structure in Dallas, and it gradually transitioned from a private fraternal club to being open to the public, including hosting bands and swing dances in the ballroom upstairs. It is now a treasured venue, particularly for country music, with artists who have played there including the Drive-By Truckers, Wilco, Dixie Chicks, Arlo Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt, Whiskeytown, James McMurtry, The New Bohemians, Junior Brown, Lost Highway, Son Volt, and Slobberbone.

*Some sources say it opened in 1910, but the history page for the site itself says 1911.

3414 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226 - (214) 747-4422
Est. 1911? - Building constructed: 1911
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: sonsofhermannhall.com
Reviews: dallasobserver - centraltrack.com - dallasobserver - nbcdfw 

#6163 - Weedville Hotel, Jay Township, PA - 4/22/2025

As far as I can tell, from online sources and chatting with current owner Jeremy Rippey, no one knows how long the Weedville Hotel and bar have been here. (I hope to make it to the Elk County Historical Society's Robinson Museum in a future trip to see if I can find more.) The Dec 30, 1904 issue of the Brockway Record indicates that there has been a Weedville Hotel serving liquor here since at 1903. But old sources didn't find it necessary to list the exact address, and the Weedville Hotel structure appears to have been destroyed by fire at least twice -- once in 1908 and again in 1933. The former conflagration was described as "cremating"  one Samuel Dutsy, who was in a hotel room and purportedly drunk.

Weedville Hotel, Weedville, PA

So it is difficult to date the current building, and it does not seem to show any obvious vestiges of the pre-prohibition business. However it does have features that harken back to shortly after prohibition, including the antique back bar and the murals painted throughout the restaurant portion, which Rippey said were done in 1941 by a resident in exchange for room and board.

Weedville is an unincorporated community within Jay Township, ins southeastern Elk County, some 120 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, in an area best known for its elk viewing. According to Nancy Piper the first white settler in the community was John Boyd in 1816, who built a sawmill there which he sold the next year to Frederick Weed and Captain Weed. 

Weedville Hotel, Weedville, PA

Today the bar is a pleasant small town stop, serving Italian dinners, pub standards, and a small but quite adequate selection of spirits and beers.

As a random historical note, here is a list of past owners that I have found in primary sources:

David Thomas (-1904-1908-, d.1911)

William J. Thomas (-1914-) (son of David)

Frank Frarie (1916-)

Sam Betta (-1940, d.1940)

Raymond Parisi (-1956-)

Alice Demonte (-1965-)

Robert Larkin (-1976-)

Rick Crocco (-1983-)

Jeremy Rippey (2000-2025-)

Weedville Hotel token, author's collection

625 River Rd, Weedville, PA 15868 - (814) 787-8079
Est. 1904 OE - Building constructed: 1933?
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: facebook 
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor 

#6147 - Penn Brewery, Pittsburgh, PA - 4/6/2025

Penn Brewery, Pittsburgh,PA

They built a brewery here in 1870, when the Eberhardt and Ober families, who dominated Pittsburgh brewing from around mid-century, merged into the Eberhardt & Ober Brewery. In 1899 they merged with Iron City Brewery and 12 other local breweries and renamed the conglomerate Pittsburgh Brewing Company.

The Pittsburgh Brewing Company operated well into the federal prohibition years (as the state of Pennsylvania was in no rush to close breweries or saloons) then restarted after prohibition, finally closing in 1952 after a long dispute over labor contracts. Over the following four decades the building was largely abandoned, hosting a fruit juice company and furnish storage space behind broken windows and fading trims. But then in mid 1989, after lobbying the Pennsylvania state government to modify laws to allow brew pubs, Tom Pastorius revived the structure with the Allegheny Brewery & Pub, which in 1994 would change its name to Penn Brewery. Pastorius' ancestor, Franz Daniel Pastorius, founded Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683. The new brewery produced lagers and other German style beers, "adhering to the strict quality standards of the 16th-century Bavarian Reinheitsgebot purity laws."

Penn Brewery was thus the first brewpub and craft brewery in the state, and what Pastorius referred to as "the first tied house since prohibition." While the term was primarily used in pre-prohibition days to denote a saloon tied to a particular brewery or distiller, Penn Brewery means it is the first to have a brewery and restaurant in the same location. It is also now the city of Pittsburgh's oldest operating brewery. Pastorius would sell the majority of his operation in 2003, and then retired and sell his remaining 20% in 2008. The brewery would subsequently stumble in both business and quality of beer while owned by a private equity group, and would even close the restaurant and move brewing operations out of town. Partners Sandra well Cindrich, Linda Nyman, and Corey Little would take over in 2009, starting by bringing Pastorius back as as well as much of the former staff, restoring the brewing operation and restaurant, and producing award winning beers and also profitability.

Since August 1, 2022, the brewery has been operated by Austrian Stefan Wolfgang Nitsch, who has said that "It’s the most authentically European beer I’ve had over here. It reminds me of the beers I stole from my grandpa’s basement when I was younger." (pittsburghmagazine)  The brewery and beer garden will often be packed for events these days, but it was very open when we visited right at noon opening time on a rainy Sunday. The buildings are impressive, the beers are quite good, and the restaurant still focuses on traditional German cuisine. But the most striking feature is surely the lagering caves. These caves actually riddle the entire hillside, and were used for keeping beer cold before the days of refrigeration -- which for this brewery arrived in 1885.  You can view and even drink in the first portions of a couple of these tunnels, which didn't seem particularly inviting on a cold wet day (even if they were not adorned with skeletons), but which were still quite interesting to see, and must be particularly nice on a warm summer afternoon.

800 Vinial St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 - (412) 237-9400
Est. 1994 - Building constructed: 1870
Previous bars in this location: Eberhardt & Ober Brewery, Pittsburgh Brewing Co., Allegheny Brewery & Pub
Web sites: pennbrew.com - facebook - instagram 
Articles: theclio - pittsburghmagazine - wikipedia - phlf - brewersofpa - 150 years of Penn Beers (video) - northsidechronicle - yelp - tripadvisor 

Historical Note: Lee Tuck Lounge, 134 Steuben, Pittsburgh, PA

Former Lee Tuck Lounge
Pittsburgh, PA

In the early evening of Sunday July 20, 1902, the wife and children of well known local politician, hotelier, and saloon keeper Jacob Haule, in crossing the street to their home, somehow fell into the path of an oncoming streetcar and was crushed beneath its wheels. Haule was one of a handful of persons running a saloon in this building in the West End Village neighborhood of Pittsburgh, originally laid out as the dry community of Temperanceville in 1837, before being annexed by the city of Pittsburgh in 1874.

Constructed by Christ Gundlefinger in 1891, the building some 2,000 feet south of the Ohio River has contained a saloon at least as early as 1892, and most of the time from that point to as recently as 2015, although you would never guess that from the ramshackle state of the building today.

Leona Tucker purchased the property in 1977, and ran what would become the longest running and last bar, and perhaps the last residents, to be hosted there during its 120 year history of serving drinks. (Leona passed away in 2003, and I do not know how long she ran the bar herself.) The property is currently for sale. At least in its latter years the bar featured black exotic dancers. It was the scene of another tragic death not long before it closed. On Oct 24, 2014 Ronnell Smith was shot and killed by Lonnie Monk and Anthony Jetter he was leaving the bar.

Christ Gundlefinger sought a liquor license even before his new building was finished, but it's not clear if he got one. In any case by the following year John Kalb ran the building, and with no other licensed house on the street in 1892, began operating a saloon on the main floor. From 1898 to 1910 he would be followed by saloon keepers Jacob Haule Jr., his wife Lena Haule briefly after Jacob passed away, a Mrs. H. Schinneller, and Leopold Von Hedemann. In October 1910 Hedemann transferred the liquor license to Herman J. Theil, whose long run as owner would last through prohibition and into the mid 1940s, and would tragically include the murder of his son John, killed in the bar during an attempted holdup.

After some 35+ years as the "H.J. Theil Cafe" and the "Herman Theil Tavern," the bar would be operated in the 1950s by Marie Schram as the "New Steuben Cafe" or "New Steuben Restaurant and Bar." In the 1970s it would be known as the West End Lounge, before fairly long run as the Lee Tuck Lounge, which it remained for almost 40 years.

Despite - and largely because of - its current state of disrepair, and due to its presence between two large, empty lots along our main route from our home to downtown Pittsburgh, I've probably passed this building a hundred times in the three years we've lived in the area - each time wondering about its history. Catching up with the parts of that history cited here only makes me wonder all the more about its stories from over the years.

Lee Tuck Lounge flier - Sep 15, 2014

134 Steuben St, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

Est. 1977 - Building constructed: 1891

Previous bars in this location: Herman Theil Tavern, New Steuben Cafe, West End Lounge

#6100 - Shooting Star Saloon, Huntsville, UT - 3/9/2025

Shooting Star Saloon, Huntsville, UT

The Shooting Star Saloon, sitting on the Pineview Reservoir in the Wasatch Mountains about 50 miles north of Salt Lake City, is said to be "Utah's oldest business" and "the Oldest Continuously Operating Saloon West of the Mississippi." How exactly they get to the latter claim, with several California bars dating back a few decades earlier, I am not clear about, but I suspect it hinges on the "continuously operated" phrase, alluding to continuous operation through federal prohibition.

In any case, it is quite old, with the building dating back to a mercantile business constructed around 1850, a bar first established here in 1879, and the name "Shooting Star Saloon," along with the current bar space on the main floor, dating from 1940. It is located in the town of Huntsville, population approx. 608. In the 2000 census there were 649 residents, 98.77% white, 0.15% African American, and 0.31% Native American (if you do the math that's one black person and two Indians). To the north are multiple ski resorts, which contributed to the saloon once being listed by USA Today as one of the top après-ski bars in the country.

Shooting Star Saloon, Huntsville, UT

The bar preserves a fine old saloon vibe, with dark wood walls, various old west gear hanging over the bar, taxidermy and skulls, and a large amount of signed dollar bills (once estimated at around 15,000 of them) hanging from the ceiling.

The menu is aggressively simple, listed on the side of napkin dispensers, and comprising one hot dog and six variations of burgers, served with chips. However, the burgers are renowned, once rated 3rd best in the country by USA Today, and I very much enjoyed my cheeseburger, passing on the more famous "Star Burger," which has two beef patties and a layer of knockwurst.

I've added this cozy, historical spot to my highest recommendations list, and close with a few additional notes from a couple online sources:

"The mercantile switched to a saloon in 1879, originally named Hoken’s Hole for its owner Hoken Olsen. Hoken (1862-1945) was the son of Norwegian immigrants who had converted to Mormonism and moved to Utah in 1876 as part of the “gathering.” He became a citizen of the US in 1902. Hunstville’s early newspapers are filled with accounts of how “Slippery Hoken'' had once more been fined for selling liquor without a license, or sent to jail for the same. His wife Maria Bingham operated the saloon when Hoken was in jail."  (Intermountain Histories)

"During the Prohibition Era in the 1920s, alcoholic drinks and card games were enjoyed in secret and a confectionery shop for children was displayed on the top floor of the saloon. However, Hoken continued to be arrested for selling liquor without a license. In 1929, Hoken sold his property to Ben Wood. In 1940, Huntsville’s Carl Stokes moved the saloon upstairs from the basement and named it the Shooting Star."  (ibid) 

"There have been seven owners of the Shooting Star Saloon in the past 135 years. Leslie Sutter is the current owner. Leslie had to prove to the owners she was legit enough to buy the famous saloon by working there for two years. The Shooting Star requires a good steward of the precious historic relics kept inside."

Utah Stories

"Mounted on the wall of the Shooting Star is Buck. He was the largest measured St.Bernard in Guinness Book of World Records. He held this record for seven years. Buck weighed 298 pounds and stood 41 inches tall. He died in 1957, and has been mounted watching over the saloon ever since." (ibid) 

7350 E 200 S, Huntsville, UT 84317 - (801) 745-2002
Est. 1940 as Shooting Star, 1879 as a bar - Building constructed: c1850
Previous bars in this location: Hoken's Hole
Web site: shootingstarsaloon.co - facebook - instagram 
Ranked articles and reviews: intermountainhistories - utahstories - oldestbarineverystate - today's outdoor adventure (video) - postcard.inc - sltrib - deseret - thetvtraveler - onlyinutah - kutv - 10best.usatoday - bearsbutt - highonadventure - yelp - atlasobscura - menu.com - salt lake city weekly - wayneontheroad - tripadvisor 

#6009 - Medieval Tavern U Krále Brabantského, Prague, Czech Republic - 12/10/2024

Medieval Tavern U Krale Brabantskeho
Prague, Czech Republic

In the city of Prague there are many great bars in cellar and cave-like spaces of the old buildings, including multiple bars that provide a "medieval" experience, often with shows. But the "original" of these is Medieval Tavern "U Krále Brabantského," or "King of Brabant," said to have been established in 1375, in the shadow of Prague Castle. From the website: 

'From 1375, when the tavern was first opened, kings and smugglers used to come here. It is said that Czech kings used secret passages from the castle to get into the tavern and get drunk to forget their problems about Czech lands. Magister Kelly and Arcimboldo, Jaroslav Hašek and Karel Čapek, Mozart and Ondřej Soukup all used to drink here.

It is said that genius W.A. Mozart wanted to compose „Velkou Ranní" during his last visit in Prague. However from unknown reasons he ended up with „Malá Noční“.

At the end of the 18th century, the owner of our tavern was some "regimentstambor" called Krügler - famous showman. He could whistle and use a wooden spoon like he was playing the drums. Or he was just telling stories to his guests.'

 

Third Eye Traveller adds:

"The name comes from Duke John I of Brabant also known as Gambrinus who is the patron saint of brewers.

There are legends that the kings of Bohemia like Wenceslas IV and Rudolf II used to come to drink here in secret with smugglers and thieves.

Famous Czech figures would also haunt these halls like Italian painter Arcimboldo and the Czech writers Jaroslav Hašek and Karel Čapek."

The shows are not for me, so I made my way in the early afternoon, for the decor, atmosphere and some traditional Czech cuisine. The sources for the founding date and descriptions came from commercial sites and traveling sites, and I wish I'd come upon some more well founded and detailed descriptions of the history of the place from someplace like historic scholars or a university. But the decor and vibe definitely live up to the reputation, and show or no show, it would be among my highest recommendations for any visitor to Prague. 

 

Thunovská 198/15, 118 00 Malá Strana, Czechia +420 602 524 725
Est. 1375 - Building constructed: 1375
Previous bars in this location: None known 
Web site: krcmabrabant.cz - facebook - instagram 
Reviews: thirdeyetraveller.com - hikeandhostelch - yelp - tripadvisor - instagram (open group) - pragueexperience.com - prague-guide.co.uk - prague.eu 

#5877 - Old Tavern Inn, Niles, MI - 9/6/2024

Old Tavern Inn, Niles, MI 

Founded in 1836, the Old Tavern Inn has been recognized by the State of Michigan as being the oldest business in Michigan still operating in its original building. It is not clear to me on what basis it rules out the New Hudson Inn (which claims to have been founded in 1831), nor is it clear to me exactly when it changed its name to "Old Tavern Inn" after operating for many decades as the Sumnerville Tavern. Nevertheless, its own claim to its purported history is unusually strong, as documented by a loose bound book in the establishment itself, full of photos and a brilliantly researched list of owners and transactions over the years.

The book, was assembled by Barbara Cook and her husband Grafton "Grif" Cook, and its a gold mine to people like me who are curious about the history of the place, which locals refer to as "OTI's." As per their book:

"The Sumnerville Tavern is one of the most historic and insteresting buildings in Cass County and was apparently the first building constructed in the newly formed village [Sumnerville, platted in 1836]. For over twenty years it was located on the stage coach route connecting Kalamazoo and Niles."

Ida and Fred Freeman, who ran the business from the mid 1920s to mid 40s, re-oriented and expanded the building, adding a pool table and gas pumps out front of the tavern. But with vehicles (including a hearse carrying a body) failing to negotiate the 90 degree turn and crashing into the pumps, the Freemans eventually built a new concrete basement and foundation, and turned the building itself 90 degrees. "The building which for 80 years faced west was turned to face south. What had been the side of the building, facing north, now faced, as it still does the Indian Lake road. A large porch over the new front was built as well as tow large windows on each side of the new entrance."

The tavern, family restaurant, and former grocery and gas station had changed names to the Old Tavern Inn by the mid 1970s, and it remains plainly a popular place -- quite packed with local families on the Friday afternoon I stopped by, as efficient and friendly servers whizzed to and fro. It is known particularly for its ham sandwich, which unfortunately I was not in a position to sample on this day.

But at least I am glad that they no longer greet first time visitors in quite they way they are said to have done when founder Peabody Cook still owned the joint. The Cooks quote Abner Moon, a newspaperman from nearby Dowagiac, with the following account:

"It was said of Cook's regime that it was a pastime with its sitters about the place to 'initiate' those who came to the house. The candidate would be surrounded and taken down upon the floor where he was held pinioned by wlling hands whilst whiskey was rubbed on his head and then a hot brick was applied while the candidate struggled and yelled 'Ouch!' when the hot brick was applied and the house rang with the laughter and glee of the merry roysters."