Bottoms Up: Unveiling The Oldest Bar In All Of North Dakota

We like to drink in North Dakota.

This is well documented, and we lead the nation or our near the top in categories like binge drinking, DUIs, and other dubious activities.

Not all drinking is bad, as long as you know your limits.  There's nothing wrong with having a beer or cocktails after a long day of work. I really enjoy having a beer while I BBQ.  That's just kind of my deal.

Getting together with your co-workers or friends for happy hour at your favorite watering hole is another common pastime for North Dakotans.

Which bar has been around the longest in North Dakota?

It sure has a history, going all the way back to the days of prohibition.  More on that in a moment. Before we get to North Dakota, let's run down the oldest bars in our neighboring states, in case you want to hit a watering hole on your next road trip.

According to Business Insider, Montana's Oldest Bar-Bale of Hay Saloon-Virginia City

Virginia City, Montana is located southwest of Bozeman.  This bar is located in a beautiful part of Montana, and this bar offers "live music" along with its cocktails.  The Bale of Hay Saloon first opened in 1863.

Minnesota's Oldest Bar-Neumann's-North St. Paul

Neumann's in North St. Paul, Minnesota was established in 1887.  The keyhole window used to confirm the identity of patrons is still in place today.

South Dakota's Oldest Bar-Buffalo Bodega-Deadwood

Known today as the Buffalo Bodega Gaming Complex.  It features a steakhouse, live music, and a plethora of slot machines.  This bar was established in 1877.

And finally, North Dakota's oldest bar-Peacock Alley-Bismarck

Located in what used to be the Patterson Hotel, which opened in 1911.  The bar started operating in 1933 on the first floor and is still there today. Right before the bar opened up at the end of prohibition, they were serving alcohol illegally.  If the walls could speak, this bar would have a lot to say.

Several former Presidents have thrown a few back at Peacock Alley, including Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson.