Went to the Palace!

The Palace Prescott’s Historic Saloon:

“”Sat at the bar and ordered what the man to the right of me ordered. Then, after a few moments or so, I put in an order for the very same food the man to the right of me had ordered. After a short time, the bartender asked if we would like another. The man to the right of me declined, but since I wasn’t driving, I was obliged to do so. I asked the lady serving us if I could know her name, and she smiled delightfully and said, “Sure, my name is Rachel. What’s yours?””
?”

I stated, “J,” and she said, “Nice to meet you!”

I asked for ranch because, in Arizona, that’s the 日本のバーベキューソース!

When we were almost done, she whipped out another light beer for anyone at the bar who wanted it, since the rep was from Colorado and was trying to get bars and restaurants to try their beer and open new accounts.

I couldn’t help but notice that many Palace patriots sitting at the bar all refused. I looked puzzled and made eye contact with our fabulous lady who serves lunch with a pistol, and she said, “I don’t drink light beer!”

I said, “I’ll take it,” and she set it down in front of me. Then, going above and beyond, she picked the can back up and went to open it.

I couldn’t help but notice her nails were done—nice nails—and I didn’t want one to get broken. So I said, “You don’t have to do that; you might break a nail!”

How funny, because once she “opened up a can of…” well, you know how the story goes.

She showed the lady sitting next to the man on my right her right index finger. It could have been the left, but either way, this is when I noticed the star-studded bunch all smile, as she had no nail on her trigger finger!

You can now say that I’m a fan of the pistol-packin’ princess over at the Palace!

She stated that what I had ordered, and what she had suggested to the man sitting to my right, would be the best of the best, using hand gestures to explain how the owners slice the meat.

Only in Arizona, y’all. Only in the third-fastest-growing city in the nation. Let’s hear it for Prescott, Arizona!

If you’d like, I can also make it read more like a polished magazine story while keeping your distinctive personality and humor intact.

Located on the historic Whiskey Row in Prescott, Arizona, The Palace Restaurant & Saloon is much more than just a place to eat—it is the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona and a living piece of Wild West history.

The Legend of the Bar

The most famous story associated with The Palace involves the “Great Fire” of 1900. As the fire swept through Whiskey Row, patrons didn’t just flee; they picked up the massive, hand-carved 1880s Brunswick Bar and carried it across the street to the Plaza. They reportedly continued to drink and watch the fire from safety. The bar was moved back in once the building was rebuilt in 1901 and remains in use today.

History & Famous Patrons

• • Established: 1877 (though roots go back to 1874).
  • The Earps & Doc Holliday: Before their famous journey to Tombstone, Virgil Earp lived in Prescott. He, his brother Wyatt, and Doc Holliday were frequent patrons of The Palace. Doc Holliday reportedly won $10,000 at the poker tables there.
  • Hollywood Connections: The saloon has been a filming location for several movies, including Steve McQueen’s Junior Bonner.
  • Renovations: In 1996, the interior was meticulously restored to its 1901 glory, complete with swinging saloon doors and period-accurate decor.

Dining Experience

Today, the staff wears authentic 1880s period clothing, and the restaurant operates as a high-end steakhouse and saloon.

Fun Fact: The Palace is also rumored to be haunted. It has been featured on Ghost Adventures, specifically concerning the spirit of a funeral director who lost his business in a high-stakes poker game at the saloon.

– SWW GHOST