This Florida gem is the state’s oldest bar

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – If you happen to’re planning a street journey this summer season and on the lookout for a fantastic place to seize a drink, there is no different bar in Florida like Amelia Island’s Palace Saloon, which is believed to be the oldest bar within the state.

Initially began as a haberdashery within the late 1800s earlier than opening as a watering gap in 1903, the Palace Saloon, in response to native lore, was additionally the final bar to shut in Florida on the eve of Prohibition. 

“The saloon nonetheless has the elegant options that made it well-known for over a century: inlaid mosaic flooring, embossed tin ceilings, hand-carved mahogany caryatids (undraped feminine fixtures). a 40-foot bar lit with gasoline lamps, and partitions painted with six commissioned murals,” the web site says.

HISTORY

In 1878, Louis G. Hirth purchased the Prescott constructing in 1903 and changed footwear with booze and named it the Palace Saloon, in response to the web site. The founding father of Anheuser-Busch reportedly helped design the bar earlier than its opening to the general public.

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“A real ‘gentleman’s institution,’ the bar even included complimentary towels hanging from the bar to wipe the froth from patron’s mustaches and 14-pound strong brass cuspidors (spittoons) for individuals who loved a great chew with their drink.” 

Round 1905, the saloon grew to become the primary onerous liquor bar to start serving Coca-Cola. 

In the course of the Prohibition period, it’s mentioned that the Palace Saloon was the final bar in Florida to shut with individuals from neighboring states ready in lengthy strains to get a final drink – and the bar went out with a bang. Hirth reportedly held one final hurrah for patrons, promoting booze till midnight and grossing $60,000 in a single evening. 

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To outlive in the course of the Prohibition years, the saloon started promoting Texaco gasoline, ice cream, particular wines, 3 % near-beer, and cigars. A fireplace in 1999 almost destroyed the long-standing institution, however the saloon was restored and nonetheless has the nostalgic attraction locals have recognized for over 100 years. 

THE PALACE SALOON TODAY

Nonetheless at its authentic location on Centre Avenue in Fernandina Seashore, the Palace Saloon remains to be a go-to scorching spot for locals and vacationers. Not solely does the bar serve quite a lot of cocktails – just like the world well-known Pirate’s Punch – it is a spot associates can collect for dwell music on most nights and billiards in an iconic, welcoming ambiance. You could even be greeted by Petey the Pirate on the door!

In accordance with its Fb web page, the bar celebrated its one hundred and twentieth anniversary final month and is planning an enormous get together in April to mark the unimaginable milestone.