Historic Taverns of the American Revolution | Spirits of ’76
25 Historic Taverns To Visit For America 250
There’s nothing quite like dining in one of the historic taverns where the Founders once dined. (And I’ll admit it’s become an obsession of mine as America’s 250th birthday approaches).
Sitting at a table where George Washington or Benjamin Franklin once dined makes history feel personal in a way no monument, museum, or battlefield can.
This list is my guide to historic taverns that have served as gathering places since before our country was born 250 years ago. If you want to experience history the way our Founders did, start with these Revolutionary taverns.
Note: Unlike other lists of historic taverns that stood during the Revolutionary War, I only include ones that are still being used as taverns today. A couple on this list were built as houses and then became taverns, but I wanted my list to be taverns that have a deep roots in history and where you can dine and drink a toast to America’s 250th birthday.
This post covers verified historic taverns from the American Revolution that are still standing today. Locations are grouped by state and include notes on historical significance, present-day use, and whether each site still operates as a tavern or inn.
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Top Historic Taverns To Put On Your Bucket List
During the American Revolution, taverns weren’t just background settings—they were places where history was actively made.
Over shared meals and raised glasses, soldiers rested, intelligence changed hands, and Founding Fathers debated the future of a nation.
Today, many of these taverns are still standing—and still serving food—offering a rare chance to quite literally dine where history unfolded.
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Virginia
1. Hanover Tavern
📍 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd, Hanover, VA 23069
🌐 https://www.hanovertavern.org
Built around 1733, Hanover Tavern stood at the center of political, legal, and social life in colonial Hanover County. Located across from the courthouse, it was a gathering place for lawyers, legislators, and ordinary citizens—many of them radical by British standards.
The tavern is closely tied to Patrick Henry’s family and reflects the grassroots debates that fueled Virginia’s revolutionary spirit.
Today: A restored historic tavern operating as a cultural and theatrical venue with exhibits interpreting its colonial past.
My Two Cents: Awesome food and atmosphere, with a museum to help understand history. (Great crabcake sandwiches).
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2. Red Fox Inn & Tavern
📍 2 E Washington St, Middleburg, VA 20117
🌐 https://www.redfox.com
Built from local fieldstone in 1728, Joseph Chinn’s tavern rose at the halfway point between Alexandria and the frontier town of Winchester along what is now the John Mosby Highway.
Called Chinn’s Ordinary, it became a well-known stopping place for colonial travelers—and in 1748, hosted an eager young surveyor by the name of George Washington.
Today: A refined historic inn and tavern that preserves its colonial bones while offering modern hospitality in Virginia’s Hunt Country.
My Two Cents: Middleburg is a unique Virginia community that everyone should visit. A stop at the Red Fox Tavern for a bite to eat is a must.
3. Gadsby’s Tavern
📍 138 N Royal St, Alexandria, VA 22314
🌐 https://www.gadsbystavernmuseum.us
One of the most famous historic taverns of the Revolutionary era, Gadsby’s hosted George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, among others.
It served as a setting for political banquets, diplomatic gatherings, and inaugural celebrations, embodying the role of taverns as unofficial extensions of government.
Today: A museum complex and period-style restaurant preserving elite 18th-century tavern culture.
My Two Cents: This is an iconic landmark that should be on your bucket list when you visit historic Alexandria or Washington’s Mount Vernon.
4. Smithfield Inn
📍 112 Main St, Smithfield, VA 23430
🌐 https://www.smithfieldinn.com
Converted from a house to a tavern in 1752, the Smithfield Inn has welcomed merchants, planters, and regional leaders since well before the founding of the United States.
Boasting of their most famous guest, George Washington, the tavern has a 250-year tradition of southern hospitality and charm that draws visitors to the “Old Inn on Main Street” in Smithfield.
Today: A working inn and restaurant that retains much of its original colonial character.
My Two Cents: This one is on my bucket list to visit this year.
5. 1710 Tavern
📍 11710 Tidewater Trail, Tappahannock, VA
🌐 https://www.1710tavern.com
Construction began on this tavern in 1710, with additions throughout the 18th century, making this one of the earliest surviving tavern structures in Virginia. Located along the Rappahannock River, it served travelers, merchants, and local leaders in a region deeply tied to colonial trade and communication.
Today: A restaurant operating within the original building, with preserved floors, fireplaces, windows, and exposed beams. The history is well documented on their website.
MARYLAND
6. Reynolds Tavern
📍 7 Church Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
🌐 http://www.reynoldstavern.org
Built between 1737 and 1747, Reynolds Tavern became an informal extension of government during the Revolutionary period.
When Annapolis briefly served as the capital of the United States (1783–1784), legislators, military officers, and diplomats gathered here after official sessions to negotiate, socialize, and exchange intelligence.
Today: Operates as both a tavern and inn with historically inspired dining.
7. Middleton Tavern
📍 2 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401
🌐 https://www.middletontavern.com
Founded in 1750, Middleton Tavern is one of the most well-documented Founding Father taverns in America. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams all dined here, and Washington reportedly celebrated the end of the war within its walls.
It stands as a rare place where debate, diplomacy, and celebration intersected during the birth of the nation.
Today: A lively waterfront tavern that blends deep historical significance with modern Annapolis energy.
8. The Horse You Came In On Saloon
📍 1626 Thames St, Baltimore, MD 21231
🌐 https://www.thehorsebaltimore.com
Established in 1775, “The Horse” calls itself the oldest continually running saloon in America.
It is commonly held that this historic tavern is also the last place Edgar Allan Poe was seen before his delirium and mysterious sudden death.
Today: A no-frills saloon that is tied to the historic waterfront.
My Two Cents: I highly recommend the crabcakes at this historic tavern. If you happen to have a drink here, be careful walking on the cobblestone streets, especially if you’re wearing flip-flops. (Yes, speaking from personal experience).
PENNSYLVANIA
9. Dobbin House Tavern
📍 89 Steinwehr Ave, Gettysburg, PA 17325
🌐 https://www.dobbinhouse.com
Built in 1776, the Dobbin House predates Gettysburg’s Civil War fame and reflects the town’s earlier importance as a crossroads for trade and travel.
Built by the Rev. Alexander Dobbin, the structure was used as a house and school for his many children until the 1970s when it was turned into a restaurant and tavern. It is now one of the most beloved historic taverns in Gettysburg.
Today: A colonial-style tavern and restaurant with period dining rooms and a small museum.
My Two Cents: The Dobbin House wasn’t a tavern during the Revolutionary War, but I had to include it because it was built in 1776 in my hometown and it is very much worth visiting for both its history and its food.
10. The Tavern At Sun Inn
📍 564 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
🌐 https://suninnbethlehem.org/tavern/
The Sun Inn hosted George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison during the Revolutionary period, often while Washington coordinated troop movements through Pennsylvania.
This tavern’s guest ledger reads like a who’s who out of our history books.
Today: Preserved as a historic site with a museum, small bar and restaurant-style dining.
My Two Cents: Located in historic Bethlehem makes this historic tavern worth a visit. The Sun Inn’s museum gives you a wonderful glimpse into colonial life and they have a beautiful courtyard for outdoor seating.
11. King George II Inn
📍 102 Radcliffe St, Bristol, PA 19007
🌐 https://www.kinggeorgeinn.com
Founded in 1681, the King George II Inn is truly one of America’s oldest and most historic taverns.
Despite its royal name, it welcomed George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, illustrating how political identity evolved rapidly during the war. Its riverside location made it a natural meeting place for travelers and military figures alike.
Today: A working restaurant and bar in a historic Delaware River town.
12. General Warren Inn
📍 9 Old Lancaster Rd, Malvern, PA 19355
🌐 https://www.generalwarren.com
Established in 1745, the inn served Continental Army officers following the Battle of Paoli in 1777.
In 1746, the spot was renamed “The Sign of Admiral Warren” to honor war hero Sir Peter Warren.
Today: A historic inn and fine-dining restaurant close to Philadelphia if you’re visiting the historic landmarks there.
13. William Penn Inn
📍 1017 Dekalb Pike, Gwynedd, PA 19436
🌐 https://www.williampenninn.com
Founded in 1714, the William Penn Inn served travelers along one of Pennsylvania’s earliest roads, connecting rural communities with Philadelphia.
Today: A long-running inn and restaurant complex.
14. Jean Bonnet Tavern
📍 6048 Lincoln Highway, Bedford, Pa.
🌐 https://www.jeanbonnettavern.com/
The Jean Bonnet Tavern dates to sometime around 1762, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. George Washington and his troops passed the tavern, as did countless settlers in wooden wagons heading to the western territories.
This tavern also played a role in the Whiskey Rebellion.
Today: Still a gathering place for friends with a wide variety of food and drink.
DELAWARE
15. Jessop’s Tavern
📍 114 Delaware St., New Castle, Del.
🌐 https://jessops-tavern.com/
Jessop’s Tavern is housed in a building that dates back to 1674. A cooper named Abraham Jessop lived here and worked at his barrel-making business in 1724.
Though not a tavern at the time of the Revolution, the tavern is worth a visit for its colonial ambiance.
Today: Serves colonial-era dishes in a period atmosphere.
My Two Cents: I loved my visit to New Castle, and this tavern was one of the highlights.
NEW YORK
16. The Tavern At The Beekman Arms
📍 6387 Mill St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
🌐 https://www.beekmandelamaterinn.com
Founded in 1766, the Beekman Arms served as a Continental Army headquarters during the war.
George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and the Marquis de Lafayette all passed through its doors as control of the Hudson River became a strategic priority. Few inns can claim such direct military involvement.
Today: A historic hotel and dining destination in the Hudson Valley.
My Two Cents: Loved the cozy bar and I stayed in the inn upstairs. It’s amazing to climb the same stairs that George Washington once climbed.
17. Old ’76 House
📍 110 Main St, Tappan, NY 10983
🌐 https://www.76house.com
The Old ’76 House is a restaurant and tavern inside a building that dates back to 1668. It is the oldest operating tavern in New York, and is said to be the oldest restaurant in the entire country!
This tavern has three distinct touchstones to American history. On July 4, 1774—two full years before the Declaration of Independence—the Dutch town fathers gathered inside its timbered walls to draft and sign the Orangetown Resolutions.
Then, as when the tavern served as the place of confinement for Major John André, the British spy who plotted with the arch traitor Benedict Arnold.
Thirdly, George Washington to the ’76 House for a critical conference with Sir Guy Carleton. After three days of negotiation at the nearby Dewint House, the commanders adjourned to the tavern.
Today: A refined restaurant where Revolutionary intrigue lingers quietly.
My Two Cents: This is one of my favorite historic taverns related to the Revolutionary War. The history (and the food) are unbeatable! It’s like enjoying a meal in a museum.
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18. Fraunces Tavern
📍 54 Pearl St, New York, NY 10004
🌐 https://frauncestavernmuseum.org
Built in 1719 and opened as a tavern in 1761, Fraunces Tavern was a meeting place for the Sons of Liberty and a hub of revolutionary activity in New York City.
In 1783, George Washington delivered his emotional farewell to his officers here, marking the end of the war. Few sites capture the personal cost of leadership so vividly.
Today: A tavern and museum devoted to Revolutionary history.
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19. Bird and Bottle Inn
📍 1123 Old Albany Post Rd, Garrison, NY 10524
🌐 https://www.thebirdandbottleinn.com
Situated along the Old Albany Post Road, the inn housed George Washington’s Continental
troops thanks to its strategic location—between the Fishkill Military Supply Depot, the
Garrison Redoubts, and West Point.
Today: An intimate inn and fine-dining restaurant.
NEW ENGLAND
20. Griswold Inn
📍 36 Main St, Essex, CT 06426
🌐 https://www.griswoldinn.com
Founded in 1776, the Griswold Inn is one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country.
British prisoners were held nearby, and sailors carried war news directly into the taproom.
Today: A working inn and tavern located in the historic seaport village of Essex, Connecticut.
21. Warren Tavern
📍 2 Pleasant St, Charlestown, MA 02129
🌐 https://www.warrentavern.com
Opened in 1780, Warren Tavern welcomed George Washington and Paul Revere during inspections of nearby fortifications after the Battle of Bunker Hill. It served as a place where military leadership mixed with ordinary citizens.
Today: A casual tavern that proudly honors its Revolutionary past.
22. Wayside Inn
📍 72 Wayside Inn Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776
🌐 https://www.wayside.org
Operating continuously since 1716, the Wayside Inn stood along the Boston Post Road, a critical communication artery during the Revolution.
Today: A historic inn, restaurant, and museum complex surrounded by preserved land.
23. White Horse Tavern
📍 26 Marlborough St, Newport, RI 02840
🌐 https://www.whitehorsenewport.com
Founded in 1675, the White Horse Tavern served legislators, merchants, and naval officers and later quartered British troops during the occupation of Newport.
Today: Widely regarded as the oldest operating restaurant in the United States.
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SOUTHERN COLONIES
24. The Pirate’s House
📍 20 E Broad St, Savannah, GA 31401
🌐 https://www.thepirateshouse.com
Dating to 1753, this tavern served sailors and merchants in one of the South’s most important ports. Savannah’s maritime economy tied the colonies to global trade networks that shaped the Revolutionary struggle.
Today: A lively historic restaurant rich in local lore.
25. Tavern at Rainbow Row
📍 79 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401
🌐 https://www.charlestonspirits.com
Not exactly a tavern, but serving Charleston since 1686, this is the oldest liquor store in the country. It’s located in Charleston’s historic port district, and, as you can see, has the look of a place that’s seen some history.
Today: Continues to operate as a corner liquor store.
My Two Cents: Located right next to the Exchange and Provost Dungeon, it’s worth a stop just for the history.
Wrap-Up Of Historic Taverns To Visit For America 250
As you can see, America’s story wasn’t only written in grand halls and battlefields—it was argued, toasted, and shaped across worn tavern tables.
We’re incredibly lucky these historic taverns still stand—quiet survivors of centuries of change and living touchstones to the nation’s beginnings.
This landmark year is the perfect moment to pull up a chair, soak in the atmosphere, and experience the past in a way that feels personal, tangible, and alive.
Whether you’re raising a glass in a centuries-old taproom or planning a road trip through the past, these stops invite you to celebrate the nation the way earlier Americans did—together, over good food, good drink, and good conversation.
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