Iron Door Saloon

Gold Rush-era saloon claiming to be California's oldest, with original iron doors

The Iron Door Grill & Saloon claims the title of California's oldest continuously operating saloon, with roots going back to the Gold Rush of 1849. The building, attached to the Groveland Hotel at 18767 Main Street, retains its original 19th-century character: rough-hewn ceiling, memorabilia covering every surface, and the cast-iron doors that give it its name.

The bar serves local Sierra Nevada beers alongside cocktails and a full menu of American comfort food. It functions as the social hub for the town in the evenings, drawing both locals and Yosemite visitors. Even if you're not drinking, the building is worth a look — it's one of the better-preserved Gold Rush commercial structures on Highway 120.

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A story
The iron doors that give the saloon its name were installed in the 1850s as fireproofing — Gold Rush mining camps burned with alarming regularity, and a merchant who could protect his stock had a real competitive advantage. The original building survived the fires that destroyed most of the Sierra foothill towns. The saloon still operates as a bar and grill and has held a liquor license, under various names, since California statehood.