Cheers to 10 of the oldest bars in Pennsylvania

Toast state history at these historic bars in Pennsylvania. Grabbing a drink at one of these places is basically like visiting a museum!

Given that the idea of the United States was born in Philadelphia, and that drinking has been a beloved pastime since before recorded history, it’s no surprise that Pennsylvania is home to some of the country’s oldest bars. Back in the day, bars operated within taverns and inns, serving as gathering spots where locals and travelers alike could tuck into a good meal, share news, and wash down their worries with a drink.

These places often doubled as community centers, and they even helped ferment the ideas that sparked the American Revolution. All this is to say that bars in Pennsylvania have been serving drinks for hundreds of years, and some of the earliest ones are still around. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite historic taverns across the state.

King George II Inn–Bristol (1681)

The King George II Inn markets itself as “America’s oldest inn and tavern,” with its original opening dating to 1681. The place has continuously operated since then, for more than 340 years. Overlooking the Delaware River and originally known as the Ferry House, the inn was built to serve travelers taking the ferry across the river. The Bristol establishment was once a primary rest stop for those journeying between Philadelphia and New York.

It was renamed the King George II Inn in 1765. However, as the story goes, when General George Washington and the Revolutionary Army approached Bristol in 1781, the likeness of George II was quickly replaced with that of the other George—General Washington. The inn’s name changed a few more times until it returned to the King George II in the 1970s. Today, the “inn” no longer provides lodging and operates as a traditional restaurant with a menu of classic American eats and a full bar.

Blue Bell Inn–Blue Bell (1743)

Montgomery County’s Blue Bell Inn, not far from Philadelphia, is one of the oldest bars in Pennsylvania as well as the country, having operated continuously since it first opened as an inn for travelers in 1743. By the time of the American Revolution, the inn—originally known as the “White House”—had reportedly become a frequent stop for George Washington and was even marked on military maps.

Around the turn of the 19th century, a blue bell was added to the building, and Blue Bell Inn was born. In 1840, the surrounding town even changed its name to Blue Bell, a nod to the inn’s local significance. Today, Blue Bell Inn is not only a historic landmark, but also an upscale, contemporary American restaurant that’s a favorite for celebrating special occasions.

Brittingham’s–Lafayette Hill (1743)

Brittingham’s is a Montgomery County tavern (not far from the also-historic Blue Bell Inn) that first opened its doors as The Trooper in 1743, continuously operating as a tavern, inn, and dance hall since then. According to legend, both George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette spent time at the tavern, and Lafayette’s troops indeed barracked there after a 1777 battle in the area.

It later became a stop on the Underground Railroad (with a now-closed tunnel as evidence) and eventually an Irish pub in the 1970s under owners the Brittinghams, who gave the bar its current name. About a decade ago, Brittingham’s underwent extensive renovations that better fit the establishment’s history. “The play of 1743 is falling into a lot of our branding and everything, because we don’t want to lose its historical value,” the general manager told CBS Philadelphia in 2013.

Tavern at the Sun Inn–Bethlehem (1758)

Tavern at the Sun Inn is the restaurant and bar of Bethlehem’s historic Sun Inn, which was originally built in 1758 by Moravians and soon played host to famous Americans like George and Martha Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. The place is not only a historic restaurant that boasts a “colonial-modern fusion” experience—it is also home to a nonprofit museum that allows guests a glimpse of a colonial kitchen, a period-accurate guest parlor, and the suite where Martha Washington once stayed. Rounding out the historic offerings, the Sun Inn also operates a distillery, Christmas City Spirits, which uses time-honored methods to produce spirits as they would have been made hundreds of years ago.

Jean Bonnet Tavern–Bedford (1762)

Jean Bonnet Tavern in Bedford dates to 1762, back when crossing the Allegheny Mountains from eastern Pennsylvania meant venturing into the frontier. The inn was bought by Jean Bonnet in 1779 and earned its current name, soon becoming a popular stop for settlers and travelers.

During the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the tavern hosted hundreds of agrarian farmers protesting the federal tax on whiskey, as the spirit was a vital commodity that allowed farmers to preserve their grain. They raised a liberty pole at the tavern, a common sight during the American Revolution that signaled defiance against tyranny. Not long after, the tavern also received the federal troops traveling west to (successfully) quell the uprising. Today, the landmark Jean Bonnet Tavern serves up American cuisine and bed-and-breakfast lodging, as well as, some say, paranormal encounters.

Dobbin House Tavern—Gettysburg (1776)

Established in 1776, Dobbin House Tavern shares its birth year with the United States and is the oldest building in Gettysburg. The stone house was originally built as a home and school, but it also served as a field hospital for wounded soldiers during the Battle of Gettysburg and was possibly a stop on the Underground Railroad. While the historic home didn’t become a tavern until the 1970s, Dobbin House Tavern fully embraces its colonial roots, offering guests the candlelit atmosphere of an 18th-century tavern. Both casual and fine dining are available, as well as a full bar.

Shank’s Tavern–Marietta (1814)

Shank’s Tavern is the oldest continuously operated tavern in Lancaster County, and the riverside restaurant and bar has seen a great deal of history since it first opened in 1814. The neighborhood tavern served Pennsylvania Canal workers in the 1800s, catered to World War II soldiers from the nearby military base, survived Prohibition by operating as a speakeasy, and fully embraced the craft beer revolution early on.

Today, the tavern serves a menu of American classics, as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options. For the past 95 years, it’s been owned and operated by the Shank family, who view the bar as a community institution, as well as a historic one. Also, like many older buildings, Shank’s Tavern has its fair share of ghost stories.

Rohman’s Pub–Shohola (1849)

Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Rohman’s Pub has had a long history, keeping its doors open through multiple fires, the Civil War (when it served as a makeshift hospital), and Prohibition. The Pike County bar was originally the Shohola Hotel—which hosted famous guests like aviator Charles Lindbergh and actress Clara Bow—and it was built as part of the short-lived Shohola Glen Resort and amusement park. While it no longer hosts overnight guests, the unpretentious pub retains some of its more unique Americana elements, such as the second-floor bowling alley with pins that need to be manually reset, an old telephone booth, and the 54-foot-long bar.

McGillin’s Olde Ale House—Philadelphia (1860)

McGillin’s Olde Ale House is Philadelphia’s oldest bar and restaurant, first opened by Irish immigrants in 1860. With its vintage tile floors and vast collection of old photos, signs, and other memorabilia, the Irish pub has preserved its 19th-century legacy while evolving into one of Philadelphia’s favorite sports bars. And it’s still making new moves: Just this past May, the ale house opened a gift shop stocked with Philly souvenirs, as well as Irish imports.

Original Oyster House–Pittsburgh (1870)

The Original Oyster House is an old-school seafood tavern that is also the longest-running restaurant and bar in Pittsburgh. The downtown establishment—with prime real estate in busy Market Square—first opened its doors in 1870. More than 150 years later, it still has its original tin ceiling, tile floors, and long counter, and it still attracts visitors looking for quality fried fish sandwiches and oysters, made with a decades-old recipe. During Prohibition, the Original Oyster House famously served buttermilk to stay afloat—and it still has buttermilk on the menu today.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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