Whiskey Lover’s Paradise
By Lauren Wong
If you’re a whiskey drinker, Prescott Whiskey Row is your dreamland. Even if you’re not all that into whiskey like me, this is a great strip of bars for bar hopping. All you have to do when you’re ready for a change of scenery is simply walk next door.
A Little History:
Whiskey Row came about in July of 1900 when a fire spread through Prescott and left an entire block destroyed. This time of regrowth happened to be during the gold rush culture when the area was full of settlers, cowboys, prospectors, bawdy girls, gamblers, and outlaws.
The town gave the people what they wanted. Bars, upon bars, upon bars. Apparently, at one point this block had a total of 40 saloons. Present day Whiskey Row features some of those famous saloons, along with art galleries, food shops, and more.
Some Notable Bars:
160 S Montezuma St.
This watering hole bar exhibits a collection of stuffed birds displayed among the walls. Get ready to dance the night away to their featured live music acts.
112 S Montezuma St.
In 1901 this building stood as a mercantile. It wasn’t until the end of the prohibition era that this place transitioned into the popular saloon it is today (one of Prescott’s “last true Honky Tonks”). Matt’s Longhorn Saloon is known for its country western acts from Buck Owens, Lee Hazlewood to Andy Griggs and Leland Martin. Bruce Springsteen even has a connection with the bar.
With its massive, 1200 square foot, oak dance floor, it’s been internationally recognized as a country music destination.
120 S Montezuma St.
Restored in the late 1900s, this historic bar still holds true to its history. The inside of the saloon still has the same interior look and feel as it did when it first opened after the fire. To this day it is still the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona.
Among Whiskey Row, this bar in particular was known for being fancy, serving as an election center for political races, cattle spreads, and mineral claims.
According to USA Today, the Palace Restaurant and Saloon is one of the top ten historic bars in America. If it’s a nice day, hitting this spot is a must, it has the one and only balcony along Whiskey Row.
114 N Montezuma St.
This location dates back to 1887 when Henry Brinkmeyer started baking bread in its basement. He rebuilt his bakery after the 1900 fire spread throughout the town leaving massive destruction in its wake. He went on to add two stories to the bakery housing the Old Brinkmeyer Hotel.
It wasn’t until 1974 that the location transformed into a bar. At first being named the Boiler Room, the name changed in 2014 when the Point Bar and Lounge was founded. The lounge is known for its laid back, speakeasy-style, and its vast whiskey collection. With over 150 whiskeys, they feature “hard to find bourbon, obscure herb liqueurs, gins, agave spirits, vodkas, rums, and much more.”
