Last Updated on August 6, 2025 by Colby Droscher
Long before neon signs and mixology menus, Western saloons were the social engine of frontier towns. Miners, ranchers, and outlaws crowded shoulder-to-shoulder for cheap whiskey, dusty poker tables, and the latest headlines off the stagecoach. These photos were shot between 1860 and 1900, capturing that rough-edged world: plank floors littered with sawdust, barkeeps pouring rot-gut into tin cups, and pistols hanging casually at a gambler’s hip. Step inside and belly up to a bar where history was poured by the glass
1. The Cosmopolitan Saloon in Telluride, Colorado, 1910
Being able to drink and gamble in the same place is a tale as old as the Wild West. We just hope that the roulette table didn’t cause any shootouts.
2. Inside the Gunn House Saloon in Sonora, California, 1898
3. Men post at Stockman’s Bar in 1901 in Saguache, Colorado.
4. The Palace Saloon in San Jose in 1902
5. Two Brothers Saloon, Austin, Texas, 1901.
That welcome sign isn’t very welcoming.
6. Tondre Saloon, early 1900s, Castroville, Texas
One of the reasons why these old saloons look so empty, despite being decorated, is that they often had high ceilings. This was part of the passive cooling design that included having tall windows that opened from both the bottom and the top.
7. This Saloon in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, served kids.
Just kidding. But note the little child-sized glass he’s drinking from.
8. Table Bluff Saloon, Humboldt County, California, 1889
If you couldn’t tell, I’m being facetious. Chairs made of animal parts don’t scream “Come on in.”
9. The cowboys have come to wash the dirt from their throats.
Although they look the part, these guys aren’t outlaws. These are just cowboys who are parched after a long day on the ranch.
10. The Castle Dale Saloon, Utah, 1905.
Don’t worry about parking your horse outside; bring them right on in. Cleaning animal droppings is a part of this bartender’s job description.
11. The Office Saloon, Skagway 1900.
The bartender and some regulars took a break from the booze and took a nice photo together. It’s crazy to think about the weight photos will hold in the future.
12. The Elkhorn Saloon in Montana.
I wonder why they call it the Elkhorn Saloon, but that will remain a mystery.
13. There’s nothing quite like playing cards at the saloon with your buddies.
All of the floors in these saloons appear to be wet. I’m just curious if the guys in that corner got into a fight after this game of cards.
14. Back when everyone dressed to the nines, even just for a drink.
I couldn’t imagine putting on my Sunday best every time I wanted to leave the house. These guys are just out for a drink with the boys, and they look like they’re heading to church.
15. The Farmers Home in Hanover, Kansas, 1890.
It’s a real shame animal heads aren’t a staple in every bar today. Who doesn’t love slugging down a nice cold beer while looking at the decapitated head of an animal?
16. A saloon in Thurber, Texas, 1910.
It must be early in the morning because this bar is empty. This lucky cowboy has the entire bar to himself.
17. Billiard and saloon.
The only business that will survive on a faraway mountaintop is a saloon. Cowboys will travel miles a day and go through sleepless nights for a nice glass of whiskey.
18. Waiting for the new kegs to be delivered.
Back in the day, breweries would pick up empty beer kegs and replace them with new ones. You can tell some thirsty cowboys are waiting for some fresh beer.
19. A courthouse and a saloon in one?
I’m not one to tell people how to do things, but this is a mistake. You can’t have outlaws getting out on a close call and heading straight into the saloon for a beer.
20. Not a woman in sight
Maybe this isn’t a coincidence, and maybe women didn’t want to be around a bunch of drunken cowboys. There’s nothing more inviting for a woman than a bar filled with drunk lunatics.
21. The mustache era.
This was a time when the respect given to a man was based on the size of his mustache.
22. Inside the Behling Pool Room and Saloon in Michigan, 1890s
23. This is where I’d be drinking if I lived in 1865.
There’s no better sense of security than having a DD take care of you and the whole bar. If I lived in the late 1800s, you can bet I’d be drinking here.
24. Second Class Saloon, owned by Wyatt Earp, in Nome, Alaska, 1901
25. Cowboys sitting around the Bob Saloon in Jordan, Montana, 1904
What would they call a parking lot for horses? Maybe a horse lot or something like that.
Thirsty for more frontier flashbacks?
Meet the faces behind the bar in 25 Real Photos of Wild West Icons, ride open ranges in 20 Vintage Photos That Capture Wyoming’s Wild Past, or see what’s vanished since in 17 Lost Landmarks That Time Completely Erased.
