In 1835 one bar received Indiana's first liquor license, and you can still grab a drink at that bar today!

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Hoosier History

Lately, we've been on a little trip through Hoosier history.  From learning about Indiana's oldest store to the oldest high school to the oldest city (which is older than the United States!) we've learned quite a bit.  So let's belly up to the bar and dive into some interesting history about Hoosier hops (get it, like beer hops?).

Indiana's First Liquor License

The Indy Star says that the first liquor license in Indiana was given to a hotel bar in Lafayette called The Galt House Tavern in 1835.  While the bar has changed names a couple of times, it became known as the Knickerbocker Saloon in 1874, and that's what it's still known as today.

According to Saving Places, the Knickerbocker Saloon has played host to many notable patrons, including a former United States President and the founder of Purdue University.

The Knickerbocker was named after a player piano produced by an eponymous manufacturer. The piano itself, the first of its kind in the area, was a big draw. The saloon is located right down the road from Purdue University, and famous patrons include university founder John Purdue, President Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain, Al Capone, and even Purdue’s own Neil Armstrong.

 

Indiana's First Bar Battle

It's important to note that there is a bit of conflict (friendly competition?) over which bar is truly Indiana's oldest.  The bar that claims the title of the oldest bar in Indiana, is the Knickerbocker Saloon in Lafayette, and the Knickerbocker Saloon does hold Indiana's first liquor license.

However, the Knickerbocker Saloon did close for some time after a fire.  The title for the oldest continuously operating bar in Indiana goes to the Slippery Noodle Inn, in Indianapolis.  If you want to read about some wild bar history, you can check out the Slippery Noodle's history, here.

Indiana Business Journal dives into the rivalry between the Knickerbocker Saloon and the Slippery Noodle Inn by saying:

The claim [that the Slippery Noodle Inn is the oldest bar in Indiana] led to a rivalry with the Knickerbocker Saloon in Lafayette. In 1835, the Knickerbocker acquired the state’s first liquor license. Because the Knickerbocker, 113 N. Fifth St., was rebuilt after a fire in the 1960s and the business became a clock shop during a brief stint in the 1970s, the Noodle promotes its “continuously operated” credentials.

Regardless of which bar is older, I think we can all agree that these are some historic bars, and both are worth a visit the next time you're in the Indianapolis or Lafayette area.