Peerless Saloon, Alabama’s Oldest Bar

As i have mentioned before, I do not always do posts when I visit an oldest bar in a given state. Sometimes, the bar just does not interest me enough or provide enough content to make it happen. However, that was not the case for the Peerless Saloon. The tavern has operated in Anniston, Alabama, since 1899, making the Peerless Saloon – Alabama’s Oldest. I found the Peerless to be comfortable, full of history, and a great place to have a couple. But, the unique aspect that caught my eye was that its actually two bars in one. First, you enter and sit down at the “main” bar.

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The main bar is a solid place. It had many of things that I look for in an oldest bar. First, their was the long rectangular room, with brick walls, old wood bar and just enough light to give it that seedy feeling. The beer and particularly the whiskey are very reasonably priced. Additionally, the food menu is good down home Alabama cooking. Without a doubt, I could be a regular patron at this bar. But, frankly, I would not have written this post if my experience was only the main bar. Thankfully, the proprietors encourage you to explore the whole building. During this exploration, I discovered a whole separate bar and the real history of the place.

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The Peerless has another completely separate bar on the west side of their building. As there were only about 12 people in the main bar, this bar was not in use at the moment. But, this bar is where the history is. They call it the Alabama room. The mirror backed, mahogany bar is the feature look for the Alabama Room. This bar actually debuted at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Beyond that, the classic brass spittoons conveniently spaced on the mahogany bar is an excellent touch. Certainly, that is a little slice of Americana at its finest. But wait, my wandering continued. There’s more…

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In the early 1900s, the Alabama Room served as one of Alabama most known and successful brothels. And, in the spirit of history, the current owners maintain the brothel look and feel. There is a little side hallway at the end of the tavern area with several small rooms. Of course, the rooms provided some tasteful privacy for the ladies to ply their trade. Speaking of tasteful, there was some nice, faux leather, animal skin, wall paper adorning the hallway. Additionally, there was plenty of period art to set the appropriate mood for the anticipated business transaction. Once again, it does not get anymore Americana than this. As a student of history, I just had to love the Alabama Room of the Peerless Saloon.

So, that’s my quick post on the Peerless Saloon, Alabama’s Oldest Bar. Now, I am not going to suggest that you plan a vacation to Anniston, Alabama, to visit the Peerless. But, if you have no choice but to be in northeast Alabama, the Peerless Saloon is the place to be. Stop by, have a whiskey and beer, and feel the history of the Alabama Room. Have a wonderful day. PT

Thank you for reading “Peerless Saloon, Alabama’s Oldest Bar” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

If you liked that oldest bar, check this one out https://travelingwithpt.com/journey-to-deadwood/

If you have to be in Anniston, here is where the Peerless is https://www.thepeerlesssaloonandgrille.com/