Bars of the West

 There's nothing quite like an old bar.  One that's been there long enough to get it's own patina from years of smoke, spilled whiskey, blood spatter, vomit, hairspray and cheap cologne.  The people in those bars usually have their own patina too and if you give them half a chance, you'll usually find that they're pretty interesting and good people.


Documenting a few of these old bars is my goal here.  If I get stabbed to death in one of them, I take back what I said about them being good people...

Death Valley Brewing Co., Tecopa, CA


Funky Little Bar Area



I fit the first and last categories...

A very simple large home brewing set-up

Fermenters on an old wok cooking table...FUNKY


Santa Fe Club Saloon, Goldfield, Nev.

Est. 1905


Having a cold one...


Dogs are welcome here


This is an authentic Brunswick back bar.
Notice the ashtrays...yes, we're in Nevada.





Every "Middle of Nowhere" bar has to have a mannequin or two
and I must say this is the most beautiful one I've ever seen.


Tonpah Brewing Co. - Tonopah, Nev.


This is a cool little watering hole with decent food and decent beers.





Dirty Dick's Bar - Belmont, Nev.



I visited Dirty Dick's on July 6, 2016, during a camping trip in which I was visiting some of the areas hot springs.  I had heard about the old saloon in Belmont for quite a while now, but it's pretty much in the middle of nowhere, so you have to kind of be in the area to drop in there.



This place was really great because it hadn't been pacified or "touristified." It was just a 
genuine western watering hole with a genuine barkeep (Diane) and real authentic clientele.  And,
one of the best things about the place is that they allow dogs.

The little guy in the bar was the owner's grandson, who comes to stay 
with her and her husband every summer.  He helps his granddad punch cows
and escapes the heat of his hometown in Arizona. 


 All of the hound dogs had to greet each other.  And, of course, there had to be a naked woman 
painting somewhere in the place. 

Dirty Dick's, I'll be back for sure!

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