If you’ve ever wanted to sip a beer in a place that feels straight out of an old Western movie, you’re gonna love this.
We’re talking swinging saloon doors, dollar bills on the ceiling, and stories from the Gold Rush days still echoing through the walls.
This bar has been around since the 1800s, and somehow, it still looks like it did back when cowboys, miners, and stagecoaches rolled through town.
It’s the oldest bar in California that’s still open today… and it’s packed with wild history, weird legends, and seriously cool vibes.
Oh, and it’s not just a dusty old building. This place is still rocking live music, good food, and plenty of strong drinks.
Want to know where to find it? Keep reading.
Where Is It?
The Iron Door Saloon is in Groveland, California, a tiny town in the Sierra Nevada foothills about 30 minutes from Yosemite National Park.
It’s about a 2-hour-and-45-minute drive east of San Francisco, or around 90 minutes from Modesto if you’re coming from the Central Valley.
You’ll find it right on Highway 120, which also happens to be one of the main routes into Yosemite.
So if you’re heading to the park, this is an easy and legendary stop to make along the way.
About
Walking into the Iron Door Saloon feels like stepping into an old Western movie…except there’s probably someone in a Yosemite t-shirt playing pool in the back.
This place is all grit, charm, and character.
It’s famous for being the oldest continuously operating bar in California, and it still looks like the Wild West inside.
The saloon is packed with unusual antiques, bullet holes in the ceiling (seriously), and dollar bills stuck to every surface with thumbtacks.
There are vintage photos and artifacts on the walls, and a bar that looks like it’s served more than a few outlaws over the years.
These days, it’s both a watering hole and a time machine.
The Iron Door is still a fully functioning bar and live music venue, with bands playing most weekends and a big local crowd that keeps the energy high.
There’s a pool table in the back, and the saloon had a second story added in 1937 that historically offered billiards and other games.
The food menu covers all the bar classics. Think burgers, fries, tacos, and cold beer.
During the day, it’s a fun pit stop for road trippers heading to Yosemite.
At night, especially in summer, it turns into a lively hangout with dancing, drinks, and a whole lot of character.
If you’re into dive bars with stories to tell, the Iron Door is definitely your kind of place.
History
The Iron Door Saloon didn’t start out as a saloon.
Back in the mid-19th century, it was a granite building known as the Granite Store.
It sold goods to miners during the California Gold Rush, when Groveland was a booming stop on the way to the Sierra goldfields.
In 1896, the building was turned into a saloon, originally called Jake’s Place, and the name “Iron Door” came later, after its signature heavy iron doors were installed.
Those doors weren’t just for show. They were added as fire protection, since the town had a habit of going up in flames during its rough-and-rowdy Gold Rush days.
The building has survived multiple fires, floods, and a whole lot of wild nights, but it’s still standing strong more than a century later.
Through Prohibition in the 1920s, the Iron Door reportedly kept things going quietly in the back, like a lot of bars in that era.
Over the decades, it’s served miners, loggers, cowboys, locals, and Yosemite-bound adventurers.
It’s seen stagecoaches roll past its doors and now watches RVs cruise by on Highway 120.
Some locals say the place is haunted. Others just say it’s got great whiskey and a whole lot of history.
Either way, the Iron Door Saloon is a living piece of California’s Gold Rush past that’s still alive, still open, and still pouring.
Know Before You Go
The Iron Door Saloon is open every day, usually starting around 11 AM and staying open late into the night, especially on weekends.
If you want to catch live music, plan for a Friday or Saturday night.
That’s when the bar really comes alive with local bands, dancing, and a packed crowd of both locals and road-trippers.
Weekdays are quieter, which is great if you want to take your time soaking in the Old West vibes, grab lunch, and snap some photos without the crowds.
Summer is the busiest season, thanks to Yosemite traffic rolling through, but spring and fall are awesome too.
To get there, just hop on Highway 120. If you’re coming from San Francisco, take I-580 to I-205, then follow CA-120 through Oakdale and up into the Sierra foothills.
The saloon is right in downtown Groveland, which has historic buildings, shops, and restaurants. You can’t miss it.
There’s free street parking near the saloon, and everything in town is walkable.
While you’re in the area, definitely check out Yosemite National Park — the Big Oak Flat Entrance is about 40 minutes away.
If you’re into hiking, head to Carlon Falls Trail (3.8 miles round trip) or explore Tuolumne Grove to see some giant sequoias up close.
For something super chill, stop by Pine Mountain Lake just ten minutes from town.
It’s roughly 202 acres and great for kayaking, fishing, or just hanging out on the beach.
And if you’re into history, Groveland’s got the Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum right next to Mary Laveroni Park. It’s small but packed with cool Gold Rush-era artifacts.
Bottom line? Whether you’re making a quick pit stop or spending the weekend in Groveland, the Iron Door Saloon is a must.
Grab a cold drink, soak up the stories, and enjoy one of California’s coolest and oldest bars.
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