Category: Unique bars in the US
To all the fans of casino gaming and luscious interiors, this article is for you. We are going to discuss the casino bars in Pennsylvania with the most unique interiors, so you can feel like you’re a character in Martin Scorsese’s film Casino. Alternatively, whenever you can’t make the time to visit a land-based casino, you can play at some of the best PA online casinos.
Casino bars have become an indispensable part of the American drinking culture, much like taverns and saloons, so you should really visit at least one of those on the list.
PBR Bar at Live! Casino
Live! Casino is a wonderful venue that offers all sorts of casino games like world-class roulette. It also has one of the most celebrated casino bars in the face of PBR Bar.
This unique venue is a designated cowboy bar, which stays true to its theme. The booths are equipped with soft couches covered in cow skin and the wooden interiors resemble those of an authentic Western saloon. Did we also mention the mechanical bull? Because there is one.
PBR Bar is among the most fun bars we ever got to review. You’ll hear some classic and some newer country tunes and we hope you like dancing, because there’s lots of it. You’ll also enjoy special privileges during your birth month if you sign up online. So, grab your cowboy boots and visit PBR Bar.
Address: 5260 Route 30 Greensburg, PA 15601 (the bar is on the second floor)
Working hours: Thursday-Saturday: 7:00 pm – 2:00 am
Drum Bar at Rivers Casino
We are excited to tell you about the unique Drum Bar at Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh. Where do we even start with this one? Perhaps with the gigantic drum-like structure, accompanied by smaller similar “drums” in the middle of the bar, which lights up in various colors to match the mood? Yeah, that’s a good start.
The decorations are the highlight of this bar and one of the reasons why we even decided to write this article. Drum Bar is a hidden gem in the midst of a busy casino.
Drum Bar is also famous for its live music, which includes tribute bands, local rock bands, and the best DJs in Pennsylvania. Make sure you check upcoming performances to not miss a great night.
Address: 777 Casino Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Working hours: Friday and Saturday: 6:00 pm – till late
Get Wet at Mount Airy
Mount Airy is not only a fascinating casino with classy casino tables, but also a luxurious resort that will cater to all your needs, even ones you didn’t know you had. That’s exactly what it does with its amazing indoors and outdoors pools, which are connected and can be accessed through an underwater passageway.
During the day you can relax by the pool in one of the cabanas you can book, while during the night you can enjoy some entertainment at the exclusive Get Wet bar.
The whole atmosphere changes when the sun goes down and the pool bar turns into a nightclub, similar to some beach bars, equipped with stunning lighting and party music. Sometimes they even have famous rappers like 21 Savage performing there, so check out their upcoming events for more info.
It’s better than a nightclub though, because how many of these nightclubs allow you to take a swim while drinking artisan cocktails? We recommend trying their frozen cocktails like Bomb Pop.
PS: There are two more bars at Mount Airy that you can visit as well – The Glass Bar and Pia’s Lounge.
Address: 312 Woodland Rd, Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania 18344
Working hours: Till late
Harrah’s Backyard at Harrah’s Casino
The last casino on our list, Harrah’s, is famous for its mind-blowing jackpot slots, but we think that it should also earn some points for the amazing venues it offers to its patrons. Our favorite one has to be Harrah’s Backyard.
Harrah’s Backyard is a bar located on a patio that overlooks the gorgeous Delaware river and it’s the venue with inarguably the best view on the list. The atmosphere is chill with big outdoor wooden table and heating lamps to keep you warm, while you’re watching the races or drinking their signature cocktails.
Harrah’s Backyard also offers great entertainment in the form of games you can play with your friends such as Giant Jenga.
Address: 777 Harrah’s Blvd, Chester, PA 19013
Working hours: Till late (NB: only open during the racing season)
We wondered how to exactly approach this topic due to the nature of speakeasies themselves.
To those who don’t know, a speakeasy is an establishment that serves alcohol, but usually doesn’t promote itself, so people usually find it by word of mouth. The reason for that is because speakeasies became a thing during the Prohibition (1920-1933), which is why they had to remain hidden to the general public, and of course, the police.
The term speakeasy might come from the fact that patrons had to whisper a password to get in. Some speakeasies still require that.
Nowadays, old speakeasies (those that operated during the Prohibition Era) and new speakeasies still try to recreate the experience of doing something “naughty” and of belonging to an exclusive club. Some of them do it better than others. This article is for them and for all of you who want to feel like a flapper girl or a rich gangster.
We will give our recommendations about the best speakeasies in the country that are not only faithful to the idea, but which also make some of the best alcoholic beverages.
The Real Deal
In this section, we will recommend you a few speakeasies that existed during the Prohibition Era and are still open today.
King Eddy, Los Angeles, CA
Formally, King Eddy was established in 1933, the year Prohibition was repealed, but its floor plan suggests otherwise.
In fact, you can find a tunnel underneath the establishment and if you uncover the whole system of tunnels, you’ll see that they connected various speakeasies in the City of Angels. The original speakeasy was underground, while a piano store served as cover over the ground.
Address: 131 E 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
The Owl Bar, Baltimore, MD
This intricately decorated bar has a long and proud history. It was founded in 1903 as part of The Belvedere Hotel (visited by movie stars, presidents, and royalty) and it never stopped serving alcohol, even when the 19th Amendment knocked on its doors. Patrons could find out whether the bar was serving alcohol that night by looking at the way the decorative owl was placed.
You can find stained glass behind the owl saying “A wise old owl sat on an oak /the more he saw the less he spoke. /The less he spoke the more he heard/why can’t we all be like/ that wise old bird.” If that’s not the most speakeasy thing you’ve heard, we don’t know what is!
Address: One East Chase Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
The Green Mill, Chicago, IL
We decided to save the best for last. The Green Mill is considered to be the oldest jazz club in the country and it was in the midst of the illegal alcohol trade during Prohibition. Not only that but it was often frequented by none other, but the most famous American gangster – Al Capone.
Apparently, the bar boasts of secret tunnels and trap doors, but unfortunately you cannot see them as per their FAQ’s. The bar is almost untouched and it’s still famous for its musical performances. Keep in mind that they don’t take reservations, so be there early.
Address: 4802 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
The Neo-Speakeasies
This section will discuss the speakeasy-inspired venues and how well they maintain the spirit of the original.
PDT, New York City, NY
PDT or “Please Don’t Tell” is the hottest speakeasy in the Big Apple. We’re not sure if that’s good for a business trying to maintain the illusion that is secretive, but we’re sure of one thing – they make some of the best cocktails in town.
Let us cut them some slack though, the bar is very well hidden from the public. PTD is right behind a simple phonebooth and to go inside, you need to dial 1 and wait for the secret door to open. It sounds fun, because it is fun.
Address: 113 St Marks Pl, New York, NY 10009
Midnight Cowboy, Austin, TX
If you’re feeling extra yeehaw today and you’d like some of the most exquisite cocktails, then go ahead and find the Midnight Cowboy. This neo-speakeasy is located inside a former brothel. Once there, look for a sign saying “Midnight Cowboy Modeling Oriental Massage”.
Then, click the buzzer and say the codeword “Harry Craddock”. There are so many layers of secrecy that we’re not even sure the bar exists. Make sure you have a reservation, because this speakeasy is usually at full capacity.
Address: 313 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
La Descarga, Los Angeles, CA
Dive in and experience a high-end Cuban-inspired speakeasy in the face of La Descarga. Although the bar is modern, you’d hardly realize that by the intricate design and luxurious vintage furniture. There’s also a dedicated cigar room, keeping up with the theme.
In order to get there, you need to make a reservation on their website. Then, you need to look for the bar, which is conspicuously hidden in an apartment building. Enter it and go upstairs to find the hostess that is going to take you inside this hidden gem in the heart of Hollywood. La Descarga has a strict dress code that can be found on their website.
Address: 1159 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Back in 1994, people from all around the world found out that you can have a well-paying job and still be able to spend most of your time sipping coffee with your friends. Friends made Central Perk a staple of youth culture in the 1990’s and all of us wished for the same lifestyle.
Friends might have wrapped production in 2004, but the idea to create friendship bonds as strong as familial ones lived on. Thus, soon after, in 2005, How I Met Your Mother came out and with it five new fun-loving friends navigating their professional and personal lives in New York City.
These new friends, however, scrapped the trendy café for a cosy bar – MacLaren’s Pub. There are many more hijinks that can (and did) occur in that bar, considering our main guys were sipping on beers and whiskey rather than coffee.
By risking to kill the suspense of disbelief, MacLaren’s doesn’t really exist. However, while Central Perk was only a figment of someone’s imagination, MacLaren’s is based on a real bar in New York City – McGee’s Pub – and this very real bar is the focus of today’s article.
We will tell you more about how McGee’s came to inspire Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, as well as how similar it is to the fictional McLaren’s. Last but not least, we will tell you what to expect as fan of the hit TV show when you visit it.
The Bar, The Legend, The Inspiration
Although How I Met Your Mother shares many similarities with Friends, and of course, it came out right after it, it is actually (loosely) based on the experiences of Carter Bays and Craig Thomas. It could be said that they are the “real” Ted and Marshall; Ted is based on Carter, while Marshall and Lily are based on Craig and his wife.
Right after graduating, Craig and Carter moved to New York and where they started working on The Late Show with David Letterman. This wasn’t their original plan, but they soon found out how much they loved dabbling in comedy.
The duo wrote episodes for American Dad, Quintuplets, and Method & Red, before getting the idea to “write about [their] friends and the stupid stuff [they] did in New York” and that’s how their show How I Met Your Mother was born.
It was during this time that they frequented their local bar, McGee’s Pub, so they figured out that they should create a similar setting for their fictional counterparts. That’s how the MacLaren’s Pub was born (Carl MacLaren, a producer of HIMYM became the inspiration behind the bar’s name and the name of the infamous bartender).
Similarities and Differences
The MacLaren’s Pub is visually different from its inspiration, the McGee’s. The floor plan is different and the MacLaren’s is much smaller than the iconic New York bar, which boasts of three floors. They look different from the outside too, so make sure you don’t miss the giant McGee’s sign!
What they have in common is that they are both old-fashioned Irish pubs that offer cozy atmosphere and lots of beers to choose from. The mosaic on the floor, along with the classic red booths and the mural you can see in some episodes are also there.
Last, but not least, there are apartments right above both bars and that’s where the famous Ted and Marshall apartment is.
How I Met Your Mother Fun at McGee’s
Although the bar looks a bit different than its show counterpart, it is every bit a HIMYM hot spot. You’ll notice it right as you walk in and see the walls adorned with pictures of the cast inside the pub. You might be able to get a picture of them yourself as the actors are known to pop up to surprise customers!
You can also purchase merchandise from the show if you ask the bartender. Now, let’s talk food and drinks. As you might expect, there are a lot of items on the menu that are inspired by the show, with a separate menu for HIMYM cocktails. There are 14 cocktails in total, which were named for iconic moments in the series.
We have personally tried a few and we give them two thumbs up. Our favorite must be “The Pineapple Incident”, referencing the episode where Ted got really drunk and mysteriously woke up next to a pineapple. We can attest to the realism of the episode having had a few of these bad boys.
Visiting the McGee’s
The McGee’s Pub is located in the busy Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York. The full address is 240 West 55th Street (between Broadway and 8th Ave), New York, NY, 10002. You can reach the bar by using the subway or by getting a cab (just make sure Robin isn’t around to steal it).
It’s always a good day to visit it, but we recommend going there on Monday; that’s when they broadcast episodes of HIMYM and you can meet many die-hard fans (perhaps even a cast member). You should probably make a reservation beforehand.
Another way to visit the McGee’s Pub is by going on the NYC TV & Movie Tour, whose last stop is the famous bar.
What is your idea of paradise? Does it include you chilling on the beach while having a cold cocktail? Then this is the article for you! We are going to discuss not only the hottest beach bars in the US, but also the ones that have unique settings or menus, that would never let you forget them.
Seacrets, Ocean City, MD
Nope, that’s not a typo, but an out-of-the-box bar in Ocean City, Maryland. Seacrets is a beach bar where half of the tables are on the white sands surrounded by palm trees, while the other half are in the water, so you can dip your toes while you’re enjoying your drink or any of the classic appetizers that are unique to Maryland.
Not only that but the bar has its own distillery, Seacrets Distilling Company, so you can order one of their original spirits, which would be great if you want to try something new. Honestly, everything about this bar is just great.
Address: 117 49th St, Ocean City, MD 21842
Old Tony’s, Redondo Beach, CA
If you want to go to a traditional California beach bar that has existed even longer than the Beach Boys have, then go ahead and visit Old Tony’s in Redondo Beach. The bar is truly a staple of the Golden State and it has been serving customers since 1952.
Old Tony’s is situated on a pier and it offers a 360-degree view of the ocean, while you’re munching on some of the best seafood you’ll ever try. Old Tony’s is a must-go place for every beach bar enjoyer.
Address: 210 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
The Rusty Nail, Cape May, NJ
The Rusty Nail is honestly something out of a beach fairytale. You wouldn’t imagine a beach bar so calm and child-friendly like this one. It has “natural borders” consisting of trees surrounding the bar, so you get a very exclusive experience. Did we also mention the big firepit in the middle?
All in all, The Rusty Nail is an idyllic Jersey Shore bar suitable for all ages with its long menu of delicious coastal food and many non-alcoholic, but very inventive, beverages.
Address: 205 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204
Talon Beach Bar, Sitka, AK
While not many people think beach bars when they hear Alaska, this is all about to change when you read this paragraph. Talon Beach Bar in Sitka, Alaska is located on a private island (you need to take a boat there) that has one of the few sand beaches in the region.
The rest of the island is a luscious forest offering great hikes. Last, but not least, patrons of the Talon Beach Bar can expect to see protected animal species such as blue whales and bald eagles. It’s certainly one of the most unique beach bars you can ever visit.
Address: Luxury Resort Private Island, Sitka, AK 99835
Tom’s Burned Down Café, La Pointe, WI
No, your eyes don’t deceive you; the name of this bar is literally Tom’s Burned Down Café and the café was, again, literally burned to the ground. As the legend tells, our hero, Tom, saw a beer delivery truck the day his bar burned down, and took it as a sign to re-open immediately.
He found a trailer and then, by the looks of it, brought every little trinket he owns and turned his new business into a carefully curated garage sale. If there was a list of the most off-the-grid bars, Tom’s Burned Down Café would top it for sure. Despite its humble nature, the bar is a local hot-spot, so make sure you arrive early.
Address: 274 Chebomnicon Rd, La Pointe, WI 54850
Lava Lava Beach Club, Big Island, HI
There can be no beach bar list without mentioning the obvious leader of the trade – Hawaii. The weather is always nice, the ocean is warm (unlike most of the East and West Coast, unfortunately), and the gigantic cocktails are continuously flowing.
There are thus many beach bars to choose from if you go on a holiday to the Hawaiian Islands, but few of them are as lovely as Lava Lava Beach Club. First of all, it is directly on the beach.
There are no patios or what not, but simply big tables and comfortable armchairs. Second, it’s not in one of the tourist-y hotspots, so it offers the peace and quiet you might want after a long day of adventures.
Address: 69-1081 Ku’uali’i Pl, Waikoloa Village, HI
Flora-Bama Beach Bar, Pensacola, FL
As the name suggests, this quirky beach bar is on the border of Florida and Alabama. Catering to customers since 1964, it still retains its charm, along with its leading spot on lists of the best bars in the country. It often welcomes local musicians and the party is never-ending.
We must also mention the delicious food such as fish and oysters that draw in even more people there. Oh, and don’t forget the famous mullet (the fish, not the haircut) throwing competition happening every year!
Address: 17401 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
Hello and welcome, our dear readers. We are pleased to present you with our new blog that is set to explore the many unique and gorgeous bars in the United States.
Everyone likes going out for a drink now and then, so it’s natural to have at least a few bars on your list. We often forget though that it’s not just about getting a nice drink, but also about the environment; bars are a place to connect with your friends and meet others, so the environment and the community are important components.
With the advent of the Internet, we were all suddenly thrust into a whole new world of places and attractions around the globe and we no longer had to rely on word of mouth to find a hidden gem. One simple click now shows us the way to the most exquisite bars.
Since you chose to click on our website, it’s now our duty to show you what we think are the most unique and interesting bars in the United States. A country so big is bound to have a rich selection of amazing and innovative bars, so we doubt we would ever run out of cool new places to show you.
A Brief History of American Bars
It might sound a bit odd for us to claim that going to a bar is one of the most American things to do, but let us elaborate. Back in the day, during colonial times, people used to assemble in taverns where they shared ideas, some of which radical for their time.
Although cafes existed as well, they were usually reserved for the cream le crem of society, while the tavern was a place where “all were created equal”, as the Constitution would postulate a few decades later. An employer could be drinking ale with his employees and discuss everything from their personal life to politics.
Soon these taverns became breeding grounds for revolutionary activity, and they did indeed play a big part in the assembly of like-minded individuals who together fought off the biggest imperial power of the time. In fact, many of them exist to this day and some even continue to operate as taverns:
The Green Dragon Tavern, 11 Marshall St, Boston, MA 02108 – although the original tavern that Paul Revere would frequent was demolished, there is a new version of it that you should still visit.
Fraunces Tavern, 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004 – this tavern served as George Washington’s headquarters during the War of Independence and it’s remarkably well preserved.
Griswold Inn, 36 Main St, Essex, CT 06426 – considered to be one of the oldest still operating establishments, Griswold Inn shares a birthday with the United States itself.
Once the thirteen colonies became one unified and sovereign country, Americans turned westward. The settlers brought their favorite past-time with them, drinking with friends and strangers, and went on to create the iconic saloon. The saloon first exhibited the concept of the long bar and the attentive bartender who’d drown your sorrows.
If you’d like to experience the excitement of the Wild West, you have to visit these surviving saloons:
- Silver Dollar Saloon, 315 Harrison Ave, Leadville, CO 80461 – first opening in 1879, this saloon still serves cold drinks and many amazing stories from its heyday.
- The Buckhorn Saloon, 32 Main St, Pinos Altos, NM 88053 – made in the traditional New Mexican architectural style, The Buckhorn Saloon has been continuously open since the 1860’s.
- Pioneer Salon, 310 NV-161, Goodsprings, NV 89019 – the historical Nevadan saloon has a room dedicated to Clark Gable and his late wife Carol Lombard as he learnt of her tragic fate there.
By now you know how much Americans loved their taverns, saloons, and bars, yet the Prohibition put an end to these communal places. At least on paper. Speakeasies opened around the countries and some of them can be visited today (we have a separate article on them, give it a look).
Thank You
Thank you for your support of our new venture and we hope you have fun exploring the bars you read about here!
