At the almost-oldest bar in Nevada, charm and history make up for the near miss.
Odeon Saloon in Dayton has the kind of blustery, loud-mouthed, Wild West atmosphere you’d expect from a joint that once boasted regulars the likes of Mark Twain. After it was established in 1863, it ranked in the top tier of entertainment experiences in the Great Basin, which wasn’t saying much. Birthed in uncertain times, the bar sprang up when statehood remained elusive, the outcome of the War Between the States was anyone’s guess, and speculation about Abraham Lincoln’s second presidential term dominated parlor talk.
The name “Odeon” comes from an ancient Greco-Roman term referring to a building for musical performances. No doubt the moniker alluded to the sensual pleasures lacking in mid-19th century Dayton, such as dancing, music, poetry, and singing. George Lally and Joanna Fife, co-owners of the saloon, have gone to great lengths to celebrate the joint’s colorful past and lively present through elevated-yet-casual décor, thriving community events, and imaginative libations. All exist in what could be The Silver State’s oldest bar, except for some pesky interruptions in its operation.
The property sat vacant for more than a decade before Lally discovered it while traveling around Nevada with his mother. He reopened the saloon in January 2023, and Fife came on board a year later.
According to Fife, another potential buyer “wanted to gut it for a bed and breakfast, so George jumped in, saving the property,” she says, and in doing so he retained its purpose and character. “The original bar from 1863 remains intact and only lightly restored … and the upstairs houses the oldest theater hall in Nevada, complete with the original stage.”
And Odeon Saloon still proudly displays a photograph of former patron Mark Twain at play in the billiards room.
Eat, Drink, and Soak Up History
Signature cocktails include the Mark Twain, an elevated version of the author’s standby beverage — a Scotch with freshly squeezed lemon juice, syrup, and Angostura bitters. For something a little perkier, consider a drink inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s cherry-print dress in the naughty paddle ball scene in The Misfits, filmed on location in 1960. The cherry dress features (locally owned) El Sativo tequila, freshly squeezed lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, agave syrup, and Luxardo cherry juice.
Paying homage to celebrated madame Julia Bulette, the Bulette cocktail features Empress indigo gin evocative of deep purple dresses, with freshly squeezed lemon juice and agave elderflower liqueur. Shaken, the drink builds a heady white foam echoing the finest lace of the era.
But the highlight of a visit to Odeon Saloon remains Conforte’s reprieve — a tongue-in-cheek concoction honoring the region’s most infamous entrepreneur. Joe Conforte, the one-time owner of the notorious Mustang Ranch, split when his brothel career went downhill and IRS scrutiny mounted, fleeing to Brazil. Based on his new home’s national drink, the caipirinha, Odeon’s version contains cachaça, fresh lime juice, and agave syrup mixed and served over ice.
Besides delicious drinks, Odeon Saloon serves up authentic fare, including Cornish pasties, which honor the British miners who made this neck of the woods their home during the glory days of the Comstock Lode. Good luck finding a more fascinating place to eat, drink, and devour some of Nevada’s richest history.
Odeon Saloon
65 Pike St., Dayton
775-241-2316 · Odeonsaloon.com
