Do you want the short answer?
Or the interesting one?
The short answer is that we’re adding some new stuff to the place and wanted to tell you about it.
The other reason? Well, every old tavern has its stories. And ours is no exception. It’s equal parts colorful, legendary, and in some cases, kinda dubious. Stuff not everybody knows. Even if you’ve been knocking around here for awhile.
Because Barringer’s Tavern is almost 150 years old, there’s a ton of derelict history in just about every room of this place – each with its own backstory. Not only is that amazingly cool, but it also helps tell the story about why we’re still standing, all these generations later.
Like what?
Well, for instance, did you know that:
- We have a storied connection to Dillinger.
- And by that we mean we weren’t waiting until ’33 to serve booze (from a side window, unmarked envelopes).
- So, we sold candy and ice cream (as a cover) during prohibition.
- And, a former owner roasted and served pickled pigs feet – a neighborhood favorite – here.
- She also made with turtle soup from neighborhood turtles kids brought her — which she kept in the bin outside the kitchen.
- And, ‘Shotgun’ Willie was rumored to have liked it fine.
I mean, some of this stuff just doesn’t seem to fit. But it’s all true. Or mostly so. Or rumored. Or at the very least, backed up by newspapers, yellowed photos and letters we found in the walls as we tore stuff up to renovate.
Which – brings us back to why we are writing a blog a week or so. To fill you in on the old and the new. The plan is to give you something to chew on besides our awesome sandwiches, while you’re here – or to get you to come here for a band or something else brewing here.
Ready? Let’s go!
by Rob Odendahl