…of the west’s longest running saloon

• Who: Shooting Star Saloon

• What: Has stayed continuously open longer than any other saloon west of the Mississippi (and might be Utah’s oldest business, too)

• Where: Huntsville, Utah

• When: Established in 1879

• Why: Ignoring the Prohibition

The Shooting Star Saloon is filled with history, stories and good burgers.

Yes, you heard right. The west’s longest running saloon is in Utah. No batwing doors or high-noon shootouts, though. In fact, what they offer is pretty straightforward: burgers, hot dogs, booze.

How did Utah of all places get this particular distinction? Because this little drinking hole nestled in the mountains just said no – to Prohibition, that is.

The building has been there since the 1850s, but became a saloon in 1879. The local story is that the husband and wife who owned the bar during Prohibition decided to chance operation instead of going broke. Since “word traveled faster than people,” there was plenty of warning when authorities were coming, so the business could close before they arrived. That said, the stories also say there were times when the husband did the jail time while the wife kept things running.  

Of course, in a building this old, there are decades of stories to go around. There’s the legend of Buck – the world’s largest St. Bernard while he was alive, according to Guinness World Records. You can still see his actual stuffed head on the wall. There’s the rumor that, during the 2001 Olympics and resulting visitors to Ogden Valley, Jack Nicholson was turned away because he showed up right after closing time. Anyone who has ever run a grill can attest to not wanting to fire it back up once it’s already cleaned – no matter who comes a-knocking. There’s the origin of the bar’s current name – thanks to a local named Whiskey Joe who, after getting kicked out, took his gun and shot at the star on the old sign, which was called Holkin’s Bar at the time.

The walls can’t actually talk, but they are covered with historical relics and kitschy items. The ceiling is papered with dollars. The restroom has decades of graffiti. There’re business cards, Olympics memorabilia, promo beer items, photos and all sorts of one-offs which, once again, probably have their own story to tell.

If you want to visit the little-saloon-that-could turned historic dive bar, bring your coins for the jukebox and pool table and cash for the bill – no cards accepted (although there is a convenient ATM if you forget). Most folks give their attention to the signature Star Burger – two patties, Knackwurst sausage, and grilled onions. There are a couple other burger / hot dog variations you can try (and even some bacon), but the Shooting Star is a focused success. So focused, in fact, don’t expect fries – it’s chips only.