Florida: the oldest bars+
- chrissihuf
- Nov 6, 2025
- 4 min read
Oldest bar in Florida: The Palace Saloon (1903)
The Palace Saloon in Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island has been operating since 1903 in the historic Prescott building. Great unassuming bar! Just a two hour drive from Georgia’s oldest bar (The Pirates' House)
Oldest hotel in Florida: Lakeside Inn (1883)
The Lakeside Inn, opened its doors in 1883 and was then called the Alexander House. It is right in the heart of the Mount Dora historic district, overlooking Lake Dora. It is the oldest continuously-operated hotel in the State of Florida. This is an amazingly beautiful hotel and you feel like you’re in one of those Hallmark Christmas movies! Lakeside Inn is the last remaining Victorian Era hotel still standing here in Central Florida. After the completion of his presidency in 1929, President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace chose Lakeside Inn for a month-long vacation from the New England winter (January 11 – February 12, 1930). Lakeside Inn was also the film set for the 1981 John Schlesinger movie, Honky Tonk Freeway.
Mount Dora, Florida: Tremain’s Tavern (1883)
Tremain's Tavern is located inside the Lakeside Inn. The tavern is named after Ross and Georgia Tremain. They were among the very first settlers in Mount Dora. This is a very nice and old-fashioned bar and makes you feel like strolling around the property.
Key West, Florida: Green Parrot (1890)
I’ve been coming here since the 1980’s and this bar hasn’t changed an inch. This is a ‘dive bar’, a ‘local bar’, and a ‘must go to bar’… all for the atmosphere. You can actually walk right past it if you’re not looking for it on the southeast corner of Southard and Whitehead Streets, diagonally across from the Monroe County Courthouse.
Key West, Florida: Capt. Tony's Saloon (1933)
Oh my! Yes, growing up in Miami, Fl., I’ve been coming to the keys my whole life, and I’ve been coming here since the 1980’s also! Pictures above are then (with Captain Tony) and now. This place is loaded with so much interesting history.. read on!
When it was first constructed in 1851, 428 Greene Street was it was an ice house that doubled as the city morgue. In the 1890s, it housed a wireless telegraph station. In 1933, a local bought the business and created Sloppy Joe’s Bar. This is where Ernest Hemingway spent most of his evenings between 1933 and 1937. In 1938, when the building’s landlord raised the rent one dollar per week, the owner and his customers picked up the entire bar and moved everything in the middle of the night to Sloppy Joe’s current location at 201 Duval Street. Russell continued operation there until his passing in 1941. The bar at 428 Greene then went through several iterations until 1958, when Captain Tony Tarracino, a local charter boat captain, purchased the bar and renamed it Captain Tony’s Saloon. As Captain Tony’s, the bar is where Jimmy Buffett got his start in Key West.
Ybor City/Tampa, Florida: Columbia Restaurant (1903)
This restaurant made the list because it’s not only old but it’s REALLY GOOD! I haven’t been to the original Tampa location, but have been to the Saint Augustine one… I can’t imagine it being any different.
The restaurant was established in 1903 as the Columbia Saloon, but then quickly turned into the Columbia Restaurant.
Miami Beach, Florida: Joes stone crab (1918)
This was a fun find. I had no idea the history or longevity of this amazing restaurant!
Joe Weiss opened a small lunch counter on Miami Beach, in 1913, which was only a fish sandwich place. He had to be shown what a stone crab was, the value, and how to cook them.
Big Pine Key, Florida: No Name Pub (1936)
No Name Pub goes back to 1931 when it was a general store and bait and tackle shop. In 1936, the owners added a small room which became a restaurant and the No Name Pub was born! Their motto still stands, “A nice place if you can find it.”… with GPS, you can now find it!
Miami-Coral Gables, Florida: the 2nd oldest bar in Miami - The Bar (1946)
Growing up in Miami, Florida you’d think I would know about this bar…but I didn’t until I came here as a tourist! The Bar was established in 1946, but was known as Hofbrau. It is right off of the Miracle Mile.
If you like an old local bar with cheap(er) drinks, then this is your place! Great music and artifacts adorn this place. It’s a bar we will now frequent when visiting Miami!
Key Largo, Florida: Caribbean Club (1963) (oldest bar in Key Largo
Well, this is the oldest bar in Key Largo! I finally came here in 2025! NOTE: This is a CASH ONLY establishment. This is where the famous movie, ‘Key Largo” was filmed (maybe I should watch it).
Cocoa Beach, Florida: the oldest bar in Cocoa Beach - Johnathan's Pub (1970)
Johnathan's Pub in Cocoa Beach was established in 1970. This is your typical old dive bar, but don’t let that turn you away! Try their fresh squeezed orange juice ‘Screwdriver’… you’ve never had anything so good! The food, drink, and staff are all amazing.
Comments