Whisky Bars for History Buffs

An American history museum may be the ideal place to learn more about our heritage, but it’s generally frowned upon to sip a whisky as you roam the halls. Thankfully, you can stop into some of the country’s oldest bars and instantly become immersed in history—and better yet, imbibe as you learn. From bars that are even older than the country itself to those frequented by noteworthy historical figures to the birthplaces of iconic cocktails, these bars are captivating destinations whether you’re a history buff, a whisky enthusiast, or both.

The Carousel Bar & Lounge New Orleans

Located in the historic Hotel Monteleone, this 25-seat bar—which opened in 1949, replacing the former Swan Room—is a literal carousel, completing a full rotation every 15 minutes. Enjoy the ride as you sip your whisky or, better yet, a Vieux Carré ($21) right in the spot where it was created in the 1930s by hotel bartender Walter Bergeron. This iconic New Orleans cocktail features Sazerac rye, Pierre Ferrand 1840 cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters. The bar also has a history of attracting renowned writers, musicians, and artists; William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Eudora Welty were among its regulars, while musicians like Liberace and Dr. John often stopped by after performances.

Fraunces Tavern New York City

Established in 1762, this is New York’s oldest and most historic bar and restaurant, best known for being the spot where, on December 4, 1783, George Washington gathered a group of his officers at the end of the Revolutionary War to thank them for their service before returning home. There are five bars to choose from in the historic building, and whisky fans will want to head to the Dingle Whiskey Bar, which offers an extensive selection, including extra rare options like Midleton Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood ($98/2oz.), Orphan Barrel Muckety-Muck 25 year old ($64), and Weller Millennium ($600/1oz.; $1,200/2oz.). If you’re interested in learning more about the venue’s history, stop into the on-site Fraunces Tavern Museum.

Keens Steakhouse New York City

This famed steakhouse has been in operation since 1885 and is home to the largest collection of churchwarden pipes in the world—in its heyday, the Pipe Club had over 90,000 members including such famous names as Teddy Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, Albert Einstein, and J.P. Morgan, among others. You may come here for the signature mutton chop, but you stay for the whisky list, which includes nearly 250 single malts and over 150 whiskeys from the U.S. and beyond. Notable pours include options from Springbank ($28-$46/2 oz.), Kilkerran ($36-$375), and a Blackadder Raw Cask flight ($60/four 1-oz. pours). Keens also has a cocktail history connection: Paul Henkel, who served as manager in the early 1900s, was the nephew of celebrity bartender Harry Johnson, who published the highly influential “New and Improved Bartender’s Manual” in 1882.

Levi & Lilac’s Maumee, Ohio

This bar may have opened in 2018, but its building is as historic as it gets. Built by Levi Beebe in 1836, it’s the oldest commercial building in Lucas County and at one point was an inn where many prominent figures are said to have stayed, including future presidents Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Rutherford B. Hayes. Legend says the venue had underground tunnels that were part of the Underground Railroad and later were used for transporting alcohol during Prohibition, and also that the building is haunted by a ghost known as the Lilac Lady and that of Levi Beebe himself. Today at Levi & Lilac’s, you can choose from roughly 300 whiskies on the menu and every Wednesday a new bottle is put on the shelf, usually something allocated. The bar’s whisky-based cocktails are very popular, especially the Old Fashioned ($12) made with Buffalo Trace, simple syrup, muddled orange, and Angostura bitters, with the option to have it smoked.

Old Ebbitt Grill Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1856, this saloon and once-boarding house is said to have been frequented by many U.S. politicians, including Presidents William McKinley, Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren Harding. Today it’s one of the highest-grossing restaurants in the country and an excellent spot for a dram. The robust spirits program fluctuates depending on availability and can include anywhere from 75 to 90 whiskies at a time, with a focus on American. Thanks to the bar’s close relationship with distilleries, it offers many single barrels throughout the year from such producers as Wilderness Trail, Sagamore Spirit, Bardstown, Sazerac, Willett, and Rare Character.

The Old Talbott Tavern Bardstown

Built in 1779, this tavern has been deemed “the oldest western stagecoach stop in America,” as it served as a resting place and watering hole for many early American travelers. It’s also home to the oldest bourbon bar in the world and is steeped in bourbon history: William Heavenhill, who owned the property on which Heaven Hill Distillery is located, and William Samuels and Leslie Samuels, who were master distillers of Maker’s Mark, were frequent patrons of the tavern, and T.D. Beam, brother of Jim Beam, owned and ran the tavern from 1916 to 1926. This is a true destination for American whiskey fans, with 200 on offer, including “Allocations & Talbott Tavern Picks” ranging from $15/2 oz. for Mary Dowling Winter Wheat to $120 for Chicken Cock Cotton Club 20 year old rye and Old Rip Van Winkle 107 proof 10 year old.

The Rathskeller Duluth, Minnesota

This speakeasy-style bar opened in 2012 in the basement of Duluth’s original 1889 City Hall building (now The Oliver Inn). The space was once used as a holding cell for the municipal court above and also as a coal furnace room. Today the bar has many original architectural features, including brick masonry arches, Iron Range bluestone foundations, walls, and supports, and the original coal chute and furnace door. The bar offers 40-50 whiskies depending on availability, ranging from Americans, including some locally distilled options like Roknar Minnesota rye ($13/2 oz.), to offerings from Japan, Scotland, Canada, and Ireland. On Whiskey Wednesdays, guests can sample a rotating flight of four 1/2-ounce pours for $15.

The Red Fox Inn & Tavern Middleburg, Virginia

Established in 1728, this inn is steeped in American history. The space where the current Night Fox Pub stands was once the bunk room of the original inn, where it’s said that George Washington would have slept while surveying the area. In more recent history, the tavern has welcomed such VIPs as President John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator John Warner, Elizabeth Taylor, Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, Tom Cruise, and Robert Duvall. Nearly 60 whiskies are on offer here, with notable pours including Old Rip Van Winkle 10 year old ($58/2 oz.), Remus Babe Ruth Reserve ($72), and Van Winkle 12 year old ($70).

Round Robin Bar Washington, D.C.

Since 1847, this bar, located in the Willard InterContinental Hotel, has been a hot spot for the city’s political and social elite, and prominent literary figures Mark Twain and Walt Whitman. It’s also where, in 1850, Kentucky Senator Henry Clay introduced D.C. to the Mint Julep, a cocktail that remains the bar’s signature to this day, featuring Woodinville bourbon from a venue-exclusive barrel, plus mint and turbinado sugar ($26). The carefully curated whisky selection offers something for everyone, from recognizable labels to rare and independent bottlings. There are also four whisky flights, ranging from Woodinville bourbon ($26/three 1-oz. pours) to Ardbeg ($44).

The Whiskey Lounge at the Logan Inn New Hope, Pennsylvania

This bar has only been open since late 2021, but the building in which it’s housed was established in 1727 by New Hope founder John Wells as the Ferry Tavern, later to be renamed the Logan Inn in honor of Chief Logan of the Lenni Lenape tribe in 1828. It has a reputation for being haunted, with some people noting ghostly sightings of Revolutionary War soldiers who stayed at the inn, as well as former owners, employees, and guests, and even Aaron Burr, who reportedly frequented the place. In the Whiskey Lounge, enjoy a wide selection of American, scotch, Japanese, Canadian, and Irish whiskies, or try an upscale classic cocktail like the Logan Inn Manhattan ($18), comprising bourbon (barrel aged in-house), sweet vermouth, bitters, and Luxardo cherries.