The Genoa Bar in Northern Nevada is the state’s oldest saloon. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
When the Genoa Bar opened in 1853 my gender wasn’t allowed inside those walls.
Clearly, things have changed—at least when it comes to the clientele. The structure and the inside, well, they are a relic from the past.
On a recent stop at Nevada’s oldest watering hole we were served by a female bartender, so it’s not just the patrons who are different all these years later.
Ginger and Kae toast Merle (on the bar) at Genoa Bar in December.
I found myself rendezvousing there earlier this month with my friend, Ginger. She was passing off the cremains of Sue’s mom for me to deliver the rest of the way. We had a toast to Merle (Sue’s mom) as she sat between us on the bar.
Genoa Bar has a ton of history. I wonder if we made more that late afternoon with our third “person” at the bar.
This is what I wrote about the bar in 2012 for Lake Tahoe News:
A few years back the power went out on New Year’s Eve, snow was trucked down from Kingsbury Grade to ice the beer, the old oil lamp chandeliers illuminated the joint along with candles, and the town came together. Every Dec. 31 since then they’ve re-created the scene to turn back the clock a bit to the pre-electric era.
A buffalo chip from Harvey Gross’ place finally wound up in the trash after critters keep crawling from it and covering the liquor bottles.
Raquel Welch’s dust covered bra hangs in front of her picture. Bras used to hang everywhere. Now they are in a safe. The rule is if you take a look inside, you have to leave something behind. Because I didn’t know the rule until after (owner Willy) Webb told me to look inside he let me slide this one time.
The only signed photograph of the original Nevada Supreme Court justices is on a wall in this bar.
Plenty of famous people have had a drink in this saloon – Presidents Ulysses S Grant and Teddy Roosevelt, Carol Lombard, Clark Gable, Lauren Bacall, Red Skelton, Willie Nelson, John Denver, and Johnny Cash to name a few.
Genoa Bar’s rustic feel is intact years after it opened. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
This is one of those joints where I wish the walls could talk. I would not expect the stories to be PG-rated.
Genoa Bar really is more than just a place to get an adult beverage.
This bar is featured in the 1971 movie “Charley Varrick” where actor (the late) John Vernon took a phone call. Genoa and Kingsbury Grade played prominently in the film’s opening scenes. Walter Matthau starred.
I’ve sat at that exact same stool in that super fun bar! Dan and I have friends that live in that town. Mark, who lives just a mike or two away visits that bar several times a week to connect with friends.
A very special cheers to you all – passed (pun intended) and present.
The list forgot a ‘famous person’ to have sat at that bar! YOU! (Maybe not AS famous, but certainly as loved in your own right. :)
This is precious.
Love taking friends there who aren’t familiar with it’s history. Always fun!
My first visit to the Genoa Thirst Parlor was in the mid 80s driving from So Cal to crew with a hot balloon team passing through to get to Reno.
Fast-forward, I take friend and family often as I now live nearby.
It’s fun to point out Mormon Station is across the street.
Yes, most definitely agree, if the walls could talk they would bring forth entertaining stories to life.