If you like old bars with wild stories, this one’s going to be your jam.
There’s a saloon in Washington that’s been around since the 1800s, with creaky wooden floors and brick walls that have seen it all.
It’s got a running water spittoon (yes, that’s a real thing), a history tied to Prohibition, and even made regular appearances on a hit ’90s TV show.
Locals still hang out there, and so do hikers, bikers, and the occasional curious traveler who’s heard a rumor about a bar that just won’t quit.
Want to know where it is, what to see, and why it’s still one of the coolest spots?
Keep reading, because this place is a whole story waiting to happen.
Where Is It?
You’ll find The Brick Saloon in Roslyn’s historic downtown, a tiny mountain town in the Cascade foothills.
It’s about a 1-hour and 40-minute drive from Seattle and 40 minutes from Ellensburg, with road-trippers from Spokane needing around 3 hours.
About
The Brick Saloon is an iconic place that has been serving up cold drinks since 1889.
Walk through the swinging wooden doors and you’ll find a saloon that feels straight out of an old Western movie (because it kinda is).
We’re talking original brick walls, a long mahogany bar, and an underground tunnel that’s rumored to have been used during Prohibition.
There’s also a running water spittoon built into the base of the bar, which is one of the last of its kind in the country.
But what really makes The Brick Saloon stand out (besides being the oldest continuously operating bar in Washington) is its loyal local following and the cozy, nostalgic feeling you get when you visit.
While upstairs (21+ only) buzzes with live music, pool tables, and classic pub grub, the downstairs space is family-friendly and lets you check out an old jail cell.
All of that adds up to a welcoming and historic place, the kind where time seems to slow down, beers are cold, and everyone’s got a story.
History
The Brick Saloon first opened its doors in 1889, the same year Washington officially became a state.
Back then, Roslyn was a booming coal-mining town filled with workers from across Europe who came to dig deep into the hills of the Cle Elum Valley.
And where there were miners, there were saloons.
Like many frontier towns in the 1890s, Roslyn saw its share of fires, and the owners soon rebuilt The Brick in solid brick to make it more fire-resistant.
That renovation gave the saloon its name, and those same bricks are still standing strong today.
From there, it quickly became more than just a watering hole, serving as a gathering place and a spot for union meetings.
And when the show Northern Exposure rolled into town in the early ’90s, The Brick became a TV star almost overnight.
Its red-brick exterior and old-school beauty made it the perfect small-town bar for the show’s fictional town of Cicely, Alaska.
Since then, it’s become a must-stop for fans of the show, but it’s never lost its roots.
Now, it’s a living piece of frontier history, still pouring drinks and still sharing stories.
Know Before You Go
Hours and When to Go
The Brick Saloon is open every day:
- 11:30 AM–10 PM Monday–Thursday
- 11:30 AM–1 AM Friday
- 11 AM–1 AM Saturday
- 11 AM–10 PM Sunday
Weekends are great for live music and more energy, but weekday afternoons are better if you’d like a quieter visit.
And keep the seasons in mind, because Roslyn gets seriously snowy in the winter, so if you’re not a fan of icy roads, the sweet spot is late spring through early fall.
Summer is usually the busiest season, thanks to nearby hiking trails, festivals, and cabin crowds coming in from Seattle.
Food & Drinks
Expect classic pub fare with a bit of a PNW twist, including burgers, shrimp baskets, beer-battered cod, salads, and more.
The rotating tap list is solid too, featuring regional beers from Roslyn Brewing, Mac & Jack, Icicle, and other Northwest breweries.
Things to Do Nearby
Just a block away, you’ve got the Roslyn Museum, where you can learn more about the town’s coal mining past.
You can also explore the Coal Mines Trail, a flat and easy 5.5-mile path between Roslyn and Cle Elum that’s great for walking or biking.
For something a little different, look for the Roslyn Café mural from Northern Exposure, still painted on a building near the main drag.
And if you need some nature time, Cle Elum Lake is just 15 minutes up the road and is perfect for swimming, kayaking, or simply relaxing with the view.
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