America’s historic taverns are living monuments to the past. Whether you’re sipping a drink where George Washington once stood or visiting Edgar Allan Poe’s last stop, these bars tell stories of America’s political leaders, literary legends, and influential figures who helped shape the nation we know today. Pull up a seat at six of the oldest bars and taverns in the United States.
Red Fox Inn and Tavern – Middleburg, Virginia
The Red Fox Inn and Tavern stands as a historic landmark in the center of Middleburg, a tiny Virginia town with a population of less than 700 people. The tavern, founded in 1728, predates the town itself, which was established in 1787 by Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel John Leven Powell, who bought the land from George Washington’s cousin Joseph Chinn.
Nearly 300 years later, the inn’s on-site tavern remains a favorite watering hole — cozy and quaint, with exposed wood beams, a crackling fireplace, and colonial stone walls. The name is a nod to the strong tradition of fox hunting in the area. Originally serving as a gathering place for travelers and fox hunters — offering food, drink, and lodging — the tavern later became a social hub for the wealthy Virginia elite. Like many historical places, the inn is rumored to be haunted, this one by a woman in white who is said to roam the hallways.
The Old ’76 House – Tappan, New York
Located in a hamlet 30 miles north of New York City, the Old ’76 House dates back to 1668. Throughout the American Revolution, it served, at varying points, as the town’s public house, jail, tavern, and inn. The Old ’76 House is most famous for being the site where British spy John André was imprisoned in 1780 after he was captured for treason, before his execution a few blocks away. His ghost is said to still haunt the grounds. George Washington was a frequent patron of the bar, as his headquarters, the DeWint House, were nearby.
The modest brick building doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the inside is welcoming, warm, and full of entertainment. In addition to delicious traditional American fare, the Old ’76 House offers live music, wine dinners, and a popular Sunday brunch.
Jessop’s Tavern – New Castle, Delaware
The building that Jessop’s Tavern now occupies was built in 1674 as a barrel-making workshop owned by Abraham Jessop. The address at 114 Delaware Street in New Castle remains unchanged, though the building itself has evolved over the centuries, once serving as both residences and businesses, and more recently as restaurants and taverns.
It wasn’t until 1996, under the current owners, that the name was changed to Jessop’s Tavern, a tribute to the building’s original inhabitant. Jessop’s traditional American fare is inspired by Dutch, English, Belgian, and Swedish cuisines, reflecting the diverse influences present in the region over the centuries.
Bell in Hand – Boston, Massachusetts
One of the oldest continuously operating taverns in the U.S., the Bell in Hand opened its doors in 1795 and hasn’t closed since. Founded by Jimmy Wilson, Boston’s famous town crier, the bar owes much of its success to his status as a local celebrity. Whether good or bad, Bostonians heard the latest news of the time — from the Boston Tea Party to Independence Day — directly from Jimmy’s lips, with his bell in hand.
Wilson was said to have a strong affection for ale and a dislike for hard liquor, which is why the Bell in Hand has always been a true alehouse. Through the decades, the tavern became known for its warm and inviting atmosphere, attracting patrons from all walks of life, from influential politicians to the working class to local students. Located near the city’s famous Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, the bar fits right in with the landscape of Boston’s historic downtown district.
The Horse You Came In On Saloon – Baltimore, Maryland
The Horse You Came In On was founded in 1775, and over the centuries, the establishment has witnessed pivotal moments in American history, from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War to Prohibition. In fact, the Horse (as it’s known for short) claims to be the only bar in the country that operated before, during, and after Prohibition.
Perhaps its most famous claim to fame, however, is being the last place Edgar Allan Poe visited before his mysterious death in 1849. Poe was found delirious in the streets nearby the Horse and taken to the hospital, where he died shortly after. Located in a historic colonial building in Baltimore’s Fell’s Point, the Horse features a long wooden bar, high-top tables, and live music every night, offering a lively atmosphere amid one of the city’s most historic sites.
White Horse Tavern – Newport Rhode Island
America’s oldest bar (and restaurant) has been serving customers for more than three centuries — and it actually predates the country itself by about a hundred years. In 1673, the White Horse Tavern opened its doors in Newport. Despite the sober-minded reputation of early colonial settlers like the Puritans and Quakers, there still appeared to be plenty of thirsty patrons to support a local watering hole.
With a distinctive red clapboard exterior, the building itself has stood even longer, since 1652 — making it one of the oldest buildings in the U.S. today. (Like many of them, this one is also rumored to be haunted.) Save for a short break during Prohibition, the White Horse Tavern has been serving food and drinks ever since, longer than any other bar or restaurant in the country. So if you do visit, you’ll be imbibing in a sip of history.
Featured Stories
More from our network
Daily Passport is part of Optimism, which publishes content that uplifts, informs, and inspires.
