Pioneer Saloon

Complement your Las Vegas adventure with a stop in the Old West. Found in the heart of Goodsprings Ghost Town, the Pioneer Saloon offers a century’s worth of colorful tales and delectable Food Network-featured food and drink.

Pioneer Saloon History

One of the oldest bars in Nevada (after Genoa Bar & Saloon), the Pioneer Saloon was built in 1913 by Clark County Commissioner George Fayle. In 1916, Fayle also built the 20-room Hotel Fayle, considered one of the state’s finest lodgings at that time. Both establishments served as the social epicenter for the young town, though sadly the hotel burned down in 1966.

During its peak years, Goodsprings boasted 800 residents and a thriving downtown packed with stores, restaurants, churches, a theater, and a half-dozen saloons. For early Las Vegas residents, Goodsprings was very much an entertainment destination.

Step into the Pioneer Saloon today and you might feel as if you’ve wandered onto a movie set. The ambience and the saloon’s tales seem like they’ve come right out of a Western.

A Fatal Card Game  

In 1915, the Pioneer was the setting of a deadly game of cards. According to the coroner’s report (which you’ll find at the saloon), an out-of-work miner named Paul Coski was shot and killed by Joe Armstrong after Coski was “caught gambling crooked.” Ask the bartender to show you the bullet holes.

Carole Lombard Plane Crash

The saloon is also known for its association with the Carole Lombard plane crash on January 16, 1942. Lombard, a famous actress—and wife of Clark Gable—was selling war bonds at the time. Lombard, her mother, and several military personnel died in a tragic crash on nearby Mount Potosi.

The search party started at Pioneer Saloon, and Gable spent several heart-wrenching days there. He sat at the bar and waited for the search party to come down with the terrible news. More than 70 years later, on the wall of an adjacent room to the bar, a piece of the plane, newspaper articles, and other memorabilia from the crash pay tribute to Lombard.

The Pioneer Saloon on the Silver Screen

Over the years, the Pioneer Saloon in Nevada has served as the backdrop for a number of movies and TV shows. Productions shot at this iconic location include “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous,” “The Mexican,” “Melvin and Howard,” Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures,” and more. Watch and see if you can spot the famous saloon.

Preserving the Legacy of the Pioneer Saloon

In 2007, the Pioneer Saloon entered the State Register of Historic Places. And it’s not just the building: The counter itself is one of the oldest in the state. The Pioneer’s mahogany bar was crafted in the early 1860s in Brunswick, Maine. It journeyed by sea from the East Coast, around Cape Horn (before the Panama Canal existed), to San Francisco. From there, it traveled via ox wagon to Rhyolite—another boomtown—and then, finally, to Goodsprings. Remember that story when you set your cold one down. The stamped tin walls are notable as well. Made by Sears and Roebuck, they’re thought to be some of the last (if not the very last) of their kind in the United States.

Visit Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings

Belly up to the oldest bar in southern Nevada and drink in history at this revered Sagebrush Saloon and top day trip destination. Many come for the Old West atmosphere and ghost town setting, but everyone stays for the delicious, diverse menu and wide drink selection. Their world famous ghost burger has even been featured on Food Network. 

Kids are welcome in the dining area, and well-behaved dogs are allowed in the outside seating area. The Pioneer also hosts live music, karaoke, and special events, so keep an eye on the saloon’s calendar.

While at the Pioneer Saloon, be sure to purchase a walking tour map of Goodsprings (along with an array of other irresistible goodies to commemorate your visit). From the bar, it’s a short walk to several historic structures, including the Goodsprings Schoolhouse. And for those seeking to visit the many ghost towns near Las Vegas, be sure to make Goodsprings a stop on your list.