Last Updated on April 30, 2025 by Colby Droscher
The cowboy saloon is one of the most iconic symbols of the Old West, and believe it or not, many of them are still around. These 15 historic watering holes haven’t just survived the test of time; they’ve preserved the creaky floors, swinging doors, and Wild West legends that once echoed off their walls. If you’re looking to sip a drink where gunslingers once stood, these saloons are the real deal.
1. The Mint Bar (Sheridan, Wyoming)
The Mint Bar was established back in 1907. This is a historic bar with its wild kind of history. A large part of this is because it served as a bustling speakeasy during Prohibition. To this day, it remains a highly sought-after spot that’s decorated with cattle brands and nostalgic Western decor.
2. Saloon No. 10 (Deadwood, South Dakota)
Saloon No. 10 is most infamously referred to as the location where Wild Bill Hickok was shot down while playing a high-stakes game of poker. The saloon itself was filled to the brim with both Old West artifacts and historical reenactments.
3. Talbott Tavern (Bardstown, Kentucky)
The Talbott Tavern has been around since 1779. This is a tavern that was frequented by prominent historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James. There are still bullet holes in the tavern that folks will swear to you were left by Jesse James himself.
4. The Palace (Prescott, Arizona)
The Palace was opened in 1877 out in Prescott, Arizona. It’s most commonly referred to as Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon. It was once visited by Wyatt Earp as well as Doc Holliday.
5. Glur’s Tavern (Columbus, Nebraska)
Glur’s Tavern was established in Columbus, Nebraska in 1876. It claims that it’s the oldest ever continuously operating tavern west of the Mississippi. There’s even a rumor that it was visited by Buffalo Bill Cody.
6. Crystal Palace (Tombstone, Arizona)
Crystal Palace was established back in 1879. This saloon was responsible for serving U.S. Deputy Marshal Virgil Earp, and it also remains a destination spot for anyone who is actively seeking out the historic town in general.
7. No Scum Allowed Saloon (White Oaks, New Mexico)
The No Scum Allowed Saloon is located out in a town that’s nearly been fully abandoned altogether. The bar has very deep Wild West roots. It’s been linked to Billy the Kid and also the gold rush era.
8. The Historic Montana Bar (Miles City, Montana)
The Historic Montana Bar stands as an undeniable relic of the Old West. The bar has been keeping busy, serving eager cowboys and ranchers for generations.
9. Silver Dollar Saloon (Leadville, Colorado)
The Silver Dollar Saloon has one of those names that you just don’t easily forget. The saloon’s been responsible for serving the old mining town of Leadville, Colorado, since the 19th century. It retains its nostalgic charm to this day.
10. The Buckhorn Exchange (Denver, Colorado)
The Buckhorn Exchange first opened up its doors back in 1893. It was a go-to destination for Teddy Roosevelt. To this day, it’s still dishing out classic Western-style cuisine.
11. The Occidental Saloon (Buffalo, Wyoming)
The Occidental Saloon was a once, wildly busy saloon that was hosted by legends such as Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and Calamity Jane. It’s since been restored to entertain its waves of excited modern-day visitors.
12. Buffalo Bodega (Deadwood, South Dakota)
The Buffalo Bodega was built out in Deadwood, South Dakota, back in 1877. The saloon is infamous to its satisfied guests for its uncanny knack for retaining both its vintage charm and its Wild West ambiance.
13. The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar (Jackson, Wyoming)
The Million Dollar Cowboy Bar out in Jackson, Wyoming, has long since been famous for its authentic saddle barstools and live Western music. This bar, in particular, has been a highly sought-after watering hole for cowboys near and far since the 1930s.
14. The Pioneer Saloon (Goodsprings, Nevada)
The Pioneer Saloon was first established in 1913. This is another infamous saloon that has worked to retain its Wild West authenticity for its patrons by never removing bullet holes that were put in place from a deadly shootout, way back in the day.
15. Big Nose Kate’s Saloon (Tombstone, Arizona)
This saloon was initially known as the Grand Hotel in 1880. It was a tremendously popular saloon that was a go-to destination for outlaws such as Doc Holliday. Even though the building ultimately had to be rebuilt following a fire, it captures that unmistakable rowdy spirit of the Old West to this day.
Want more Wild West history brought to life?
Explore 17 Photos From the Last Days of the Wild West (1880–1910), see the frontier in action in 30 Vintage Photos Showing Life on the American Frontier (1860–1920), or dive into 20 Colorized Photos of the American West Before It Was Tamed.
