Vintage Photos of Bar Scenes Throughout the Years
Grabbing a beer with friends has been a tradition for a lot longer than you may think.
Today, we know bars as the place to watch sports, grab a drink after work, and meet up with old friends. Maybe even fall in love. But you may be surprised to hear that bars have actually been around since the ancient Babylon era, with the concept showing up in Greece and Italy. The oldest pub in Europe, Sean’s Bar, as declared by the Guinness Book of World Records, is actually still open. Located in Ireland, the bar is actually older than the famous Athlone Castle.
Communal imbibing has had its own exciting, though shorter, history in the United States. Founded in 1673, the White House Tavern in Rhode Island boasts a rich history with food and drink. Popular bars in the 19th century were known as saloons, made popular in the American Old West. Thinking back to the early 1900s, prohibition banned the sale of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933, but even so, illegal bars operated, better known as speakeasys. As bars made their resurgence, many states started operating with their own restrictions.
All to say, bars have taken many shapes and forms as the world has turned. Whether it’s a tavern, saloon, pub, cocktail lounge or sports bar, one thing is certain—people are showing up to kick back and relax. And the bar industry is showing no signs of slowing down. According to IBISWorld, the revenue of the bars and nightclub industry was $25.1 billion in 2021. So sit back and enjoy these bar images, stretching back to the late 1800s. You may even find yourself inspired to mix a signature cocktail.
1890
Men sit in a canteen at Fort Keogh, Montana. The city is a former Army post. Some of the men at the canteen can be seen wearing military uniforms.
1900
Patrons enjoy a drink at a French bar in New York. New York is home to some of the country's oldest bars, including The Ear Inn (established in 1817).
Circa 1900
It's believed that bars in Paris have been around since the early 1600s. This portrait of men at a bar in Paris showcase the ornate style and architecture in France.
Early 1900s
A man in a fringed leather jacket and cowboy hat holds a revolver as he argues with a fellow gambler in a bar room dispute scene during the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska.
1913
Workmen play games and drink beer by candlelight at a pub during a strike by Leeds municipal workers.
1929
Numerous cafes and bars occupy the Montmartre in the Latin Quarter of Paris, France. This scene from the Cafe de la Rotonde captures a crowd of dancers.
1935
A group of young women in New York donated to the Hauptmann Defense Fund in an 86th Street beer garden. Hundreds of collections were taken throughout the Yorkville section, also known as "Little Germany."
1946
Men are toasting and drinking in a Chicago bar in the 1940s. Chicago's retro bar and lounge scene has been frequented by blues legends and notorious clientele, alike.
1948
Customers at the bar of one of the numerous pubs in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. The city in the United Kingdom is known for unique craft beer spots and cocktail bars.
Circa 1950s
During the Prohibition era, the soda fountain and ice cream parlors filled a void for patrons since bars were shut down. Once bars reopened, the appeal for these replacements diminished.
Circa 1950s
Men and women socialize at a classic bar, now referred to as the "retro style." Many of these bars are still around today as vintage, old time diners.
1960
A couple enjoys a beer at The Park Tavern in Penge, London. Due its strange shape, it was locally referred to as The Coffin. The pub closed in 2015.
1960
Customers relax with a few drinks at the Jolly Gardeners Pub on Union Street in London. The city boasts more than 3,500 pub options.
1962
Bartenders at a bar in Lagos, Nigeria. As one of Nigeria's major cities, Lagos is home to an action-packed range of bars, restaurants and clubs.
1970
Gospel Hour at Mr. Henry's Bar in Washington, D.C. Today, the Capitol Hill hotspot continues the musical traditions with jazz on Wednesdays, a showcase on Saturdays and more.
1972
Bar patrons enjoy a carafe of wine in Hungary. Today, ruin bars are a popular cornerstone in Budapest. The trend took off in the early 2000s when formerly abandoned buildings were refurbished as watering holes.
1976
A man and woman speak while seated at Joe Poe's Tavern in rural New Athens, Illinois. Taverns started losing popularity a bit in the late 1970s. (While bars can serve liquor, taverns can only serve beer, wine, cider and food.)
1977
A bartender taps a pint of beer at The Lamb, a pub in Bloomsbury, London. The traditional bar is still a popular spot that serves cask and craft beer, full-bodied wine, seasonal and nostalgic pub food.
1981
A big crowd gathers to watch a boxing match at House of Shields, a San Francisco bar. Bars became a popular spot to watch sports back in the 1930s.
1982
A woman poses with men at a bar in the Poletown neighborhood of Detroit. Named after Polish immigrants who lived in the area, a portion of Poletown became the General Motors plant.
Jennifer is a freelance writer/editor covering entertainment, lifestyle, travel and health. When she's not working, she's watching Broadway musicals and applying to be a game show contestant
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