8 Wild West-Era Saloons Near Vegas Where You Can Still Grab a Drink
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 rush of the mid-1800s. It was a boom-and-bust situation, whether it was Civil War deserters chipping away in the mineral-rich Techatticup Mine in Eldorado Canyon or Basque immigrants working the fields in the northern half of the state. Either way, a swig of whiskey didn't hurt at the end of a long day.
Therefore, saloons came and went at a rapid pace—as mining communities flourished, then quickly turned into ghost towns—but a few continue to do business in and around Las Vegas, along with some newer watering holes that have fostered their own timeless Wild West attitude. If you want a taste of rough-and-rumble saloons like a real cowboy, there are plenty of options (and a new passport where you can record your pit stops and win prizes along the way) in Southern Nevada.
Goodsprings
The Pioneer Saloon is the oldest bar in Southern Nevada, ordered from a Sears catalog and built in 1913. It's the main landmark in Goodsprings, a quiet town west of Jean, adding up to an easy detour when traveling between Vegas and LA on Interstate 15. The Pioneer Saloon pays homage to Hollywood actress Carole Lombard, who died in a nearby plane crash in 1942. Look around, and you'll see other glimpses into the past like marks in the bartop where Lombard's husband Clark Gable supposedly stamped out cigarettes while awaiting word of her fate and bullet holes in the walls from cowboy shootouts. The Pioneer Saloon has expanded over the years and now includes a steakhouse and patio. It also caught the attention of a new generation after it was prominently featured in the video game “Fallout: New Vegas.”
Pioche
The Overland Hotel & Saloon operated as a Chinese-owned business in the early 1900s, burned down, and was rebuilt in 1948 as a boarding house. Today, the Overland markets itself as a boutique hotel with nine themed suites. The dance hall used to be a grocery story and a few historic items (like the saloon's cherrywood bar furnishings and hotel check-in desk, which used to be a bank teller's cage) were brought in from Kimberly, a ghost town near Ely. The rest of Pioche is full of history, from buildings like the Gem Theater and the notoriously over-budget "Million Dollar Courthouse" to the eerie Boot Hill Cemetery, which sits underneath the remnants of cable cars used in the town's rough-and-tumble mining days. The entire community is said to be haunted, so proceed with caution. Pioche is 180 miles north of Vegas and not far from the dramatic rock formations of Cathedral Gorge State Park.
Mountain Springs
The Mountain Springs Saloon is more than a popular weekend biker hangout. The dive bar is a cool detour for those driving between Vegas and Pahrump with a food window in the backyard that serves tacos, burgers, and other bites. The walls are decorated with stickers and old dollar bills, collected over the years since the joint first opened in the 1950s. Prices are dirt cheap (especially compared to Vegas these days) and the monthly pig roasts are a long-running tradition during spring and summer with a drink, food, and raffle tickets included for one price. Mountain Springs sits at higher elevation than Vegas, nestled among the trees and mountain scenery for fresh air and cooler temperatures.
Goldfield
Goldfield is often described as a "living ghost town," which means it feels from another era, but still has an active, albeit small, population. The community is something of a midway point between Vegas and Reno—and it's hard to ignore, since Highway 95 passes right through it while the speed limit slows to a snail's pace. Pull over for lunch and mingle with the locals at the Mozart Tavern, which dates back to 1921 when it was known as the Hoist House Saloon. The vintage bar top and 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 responsible for the bizarrely beautiful International Car Forest art installation outside of town.
Beatty
Beatty feels more alive than other old mining towns. Just northwest of Las Vegas, the community is a gateway to Death Valley National Park and a must-visit for tourists who want to walk among the ruins and snap photos at Rhyolite, one of the most compelling ghost towns in the entire state. Beatty is small but still has shops, casinos, and burros who roam the streets as unofficial mascots. Their presence inspired the name of the Happy Burro, a cowboy-worthy tavern known for award-winning chili (which could encourage a visit alone) and ice-cold draft beer, served in frosted mason jars. The best seats are on the wooden outdoor deck that takes up space between the bar and an old brothel from 1907 that's now used as a home for the Happy Burro's owners.
Amargosa Valley
Less than a half-mile from the California border, the Stateline Saloon represents the remote, offbeat character of the Amargosa Valley, known for its proximity to Death Valley National Park, the Nevada National Security Site (where atomic weapons were once tested), and Area 51. There's even an alien-themed brothel next to the Area 51 Alien Center (a glorified gift shop and convenience store). The Stateline Saloon has watched it all unfold, dating back to 1953. It's a no-frills joint with a reputation for live music, karaoke, and hefty quarter-pound burgers. It's across the street from the Longstreet Inn, worth a visit for exploring its petting zoo and lush backyard lagoon.
Caliente
The Side Track restaurant is the best place to grab a bite in Caliente, an old Union Pacific railroad town that was the midway point between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. The restaurant is just steps away from the now-closed depot (an impressive example of Spanish Mission architecture) and the two train cars that remain out front as the Caliente Heritage Boxcar Museum. The restaurant has seen its share of renovations over the years, but still has old-school diner touches alongside the vintage Italian bar top, tin ceiling, and menu of scratch-made comfort food classics. The Side Car is something of a speakeasy with limited hours in the back, serving beer and craft cocktails. The plaster on the walls was partially removed, revealing glimpses of brick for a throwback feel. Then again, you might prefer to hang out on the back patio to enjoy the fresh air and mountainside scenery.
Sandy Valley
Sandy Valley is almost like a sister community to Goodsprings, but one that fosters its own quirky characteristics while brushed up against the state line separating Nevada and California. The town even has its own "airport" (a single airstrip that runs between homes, some of which have small planes parked outside) and an oddball collection of Airbnb rentals at the Sandy Valley Ranch on the California side. The Idle Spurs Tavern is the main hangout, open 24/7 and ready to serve spirits or beer in a red solo cup. The business first opened in 1960 and made a brief appearance in Martin Scorsese's 1996 film Casino.