Saddle up, pardners!
We’re about to mosey on down to a slice of the Wild West that’s been serving up cold drinks and hot times since before Arizona was even a state.
Welcome to the Palace Restaurant & Saloon in Prescott, Arizona – a place where history isn’t just hanging on the walls, it’s practically oozing out of the floorboards.
This ain’t your average watering hole, folks.
The Palace is Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon, standing tall and proud since 1877.
That’s right, this joint was slinging drinks when Wyatt Earp was still practicing his quick draw in the mirror.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Great, another tourist trap trying to cash in on cowboy nostalgia.”
But hold your horses there, skeptical Sally.
This place is the real McCoy, a genuine artifact of the American West that’s managed to keep its spurs on through thick and thin.
As you approach the Palace, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped into a time warp.
The building’s facade, with its grand columns and ornate detailing, looks like it was plucked straight out of a John Wayne movie.
But unlike those Hollywood sets, this place has the patina of authenticity that only comes from nearly 150 years of continuous operation.
Push through those swinging doors (yes, they actually have swinging doors – be still my beating heart), and you’ll find yourself transported to a world of polished wood, gleaming brass, and enough American flags to make Betsy Ross blush.
The interior is a feast for the eyes, with every nook and cranny telling a story.
The ceiling is adorned with intricate tin tiles, a common feature in 19th-century saloons that served both as decoration and fire protection.
Smart thinking, considering how many cigars and oil lamps were probably lit in here back in the day.
The long, mahogany bar stretches out before you like a runway of liquid dreams.
It’s not the original from 1877 (that one, sadly, was lost to a fire in 1900), but it’s a faithful recreation that’s seen its fair share of elbows and spilled whiskey over the years.
Behind the bar, a massive mirror reflects the room, making the space feel even grander.
Legend has it that in the old days, these mirrors served a practical purpose – allowing patrons to keep an eye on the room behind them.
You know, just in case someone decided to start a good old-fashioned bar brawl.
Speaking of brawls, the Palace has seen its fair share of colorful characters over the years.
Doc Holliday, the dentist-turned-gunslinger, was known to frequent the establishment.
I can only imagine the dental advice he doled out after a few shots of whiskey.
“You’ve got a cavity? Just shoot it out!”
Virgil Earp, Wyatt’s older brother and the town marshal of Tombstone, was also a regular.
He probably used the place as an unofficial office, keeping one eye on his drink and the other on any troublemakers.
But it wasn’t just gunslingers and lawmen who darkened the Palace’s doors.
The saloon has played host to a veritable who’s who of the Old West.
Miners fresh from the hills, flush with gold dust and looking to blow off steam.
Cattle barons negotiating deals over glasses of sarsaparilla (okay, probably something stronger).
Even the occasional politician, no doubt practicing their glad-handing skills on the local populace.
Now, I know what you’re wondering – “That’s all well and good, but what about the food?”
Well, saddle up your taste buds, because the Palace doesn’t just rest on its historical laurels.
The menu is a delightful mix of Old West classics and modern culinary creativity.
Take the “Gunfighter Grill” section, for instance.
You’ve got your “Wyatt Earp New York Strip,” a hefty piece of beef that would make any cowboy tip his hat in respect.
Or how about the “Doc Holliday Prime Rib,” slow-roasted and served with enough au jus to drown your sorrows (or a small village).
But it’s not all red meat and bravado.
The Palace has kept up with the times, offering lighter fare like the “Cattle Baron Salad” – a mix of greens, veggies, and grilled chicken that’s probably healthier than anything the original patrons ever ate.
Unless you count whiskey as a vegetable, which I’m pretty sure they did back then.
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For those looking to really embrace the spirit of the Old West, the appetizer menu offers some intriguing options.
The “Palace Pulled Pork Sliders” are a nod to the kind of quick, hearty fare that might have been served to hungry cowboys back in the day.
And the “Grilled Prawn Prosciutto” – well, okay, that’s probably not historically accurate, but it sure sounds delicious.
Now, let’s talk about the drinks, because what’s a saloon without a little liquid courage?
The Palace boasts a full bar, with everything from craft cocktails to local beers on tap.
But if you really want to get into the spirit of things, you’ve got to try their signature “The Palace Sarsaparilla.”
It’s a grown-up version of the old-timey soda, spiked with a little something extra to put some hair on your chest.
Or, if you’re feeling particularly brave (or foolish), you can always ask for a shot of their house whiskey.
Just be prepared for a drink that might make you see double and speak in tongues.
As you sip your drink and soak in the atmosphere, you can’t help but notice the walls.
They’re covered in a treasure trove of historical photographs and memorabilia.
There’s Wyatt Earp, looking stern and mustachioed.
A group of miners, covered in dust and dreams of striking it rich.
Even a few wanted posters, reminding us that not everyone who walked through these doors was on the right side of the law.
It’s like a museum, but with better drinks and fewer “Do Not Touch” signs.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Palace is how it’s managed to survive and thrive for so long.
The saloon has weathered fires, economic downturns, and even Prohibition.
During the dry years, legend has it that the Palace operated as a speakeasy, serving up illicit hooch to thirsty locals who knew the secret knock.
I like to imagine the local sheriff looking the other way, perhaps in exchange for a nip or two himself.
Hey, even lawmen get thirsty.
But the Palace isn’t just a relic of the past.
It’s a living, breathing part of Prescott’s community.
On any given night, you might find locals and tourists rubbing elbows at the bar, swapping stories and creating new legends.
The saloon hosts live music several nights a week, with everything from country and western to blues and rock.
It’s a far cry from the tinkling piano of the old days, but I’d like to think those old cowboys would approve of the evolution.
They might even tap their boots along to a bit of Johnny Cash.
One of the most charming aspects of the Palace is its location on Whiskey Row, Prescott’s infamous strip of saloons and brothels from the old days.
While most of the other establishments have long since faded into history, the Palace stands as a proud reminder of the area’s rowdy past.
It’s like the last cowboy standing at the end of a long night of carousing.
And speaking of carousing, the Palace isn’t shy about embracing its wild history.
They offer guided tours that delve into the saloon’s colorful past, including tales of gunfights, gambling, and ghostly encounters.
Yes, you heard that right – the Palace is supposedly haunted.
Several staff members and patrons have reported strange occurrences over the years.
Glasses moving on their own, mysterious footsteps in empty rooms, and even the occasional spectral figure spotted in the mirror behind the bar.
Maybe it’s just the whiskey talking, or maybe some of those old-timers loved the Palace so much they decided to stick around for an eternal last call.
But don’t let talk of ghosts scare you off.
The Palace is first and foremost a place of warmth, hospitality, and good times.
The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready with a recommendation or a colorful anecdote about the saloon’s history.
They’re not just servers and bartenders – they’re custodians of a living piece of Arizona’s heritage.
And they take that responsibility seriously, even as they’re pouring you another round.
As you sit there, nursing your drink and soaking in the atmosphere, it’s hard not to feel a connection to all those who came before.
The miners and cowboys, the lawmen and outlaws, the dreamers and schemers who helped shape the American West.
They all passed through these doors, leaving their mark in ways both big and small.
And now, here you are, adding your own chapter to the Palace’s long and storied history.
So the next time you find yourself in Prescott, do yourself a favor and mosey on down to the Palace Restaurant & Saloon.
Order a drink, tip your hat to the ghosts of the Old West, and raise a toast to the enduring spirit of the American frontier.
Just remember – if you hear spurs jingling and there’s no one around, it might be time to ease up on the sarsaparilla.
For more information about the Palace Restaurant & Saloon, including their current menu and events, visit their Facebook page.
And when you’re ready to saddle up and ride out to this historic watering hole, use this map to guide your trail.
Where: 120 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303
After all, in the words of an old cowboy proverb, “The road to a good time is paved with strong drinks and even stronger stories.”
And at the Palace, you’ll find plenty of both.