If you are taking Route 120 into Yosemite, stopping at the historic Iron Door Saloon in Groveland is practically a mandatory tradition. It claims to be the oldest continuously operating saloon in California (dating back to the 1852 Gold Rush era), and stepping inside feels like walking straight into a time machine. Wanderlog The ambiance here is unmatched and packed with character--complete with swinging saloon doors, rustic stone walls, old taxidermy, and thousands of real dollar bills stuck to the ceiling. It has a lively, historic, and welcoming mountain-town energy that instantly makes you smile. Airial.Travel Beyond the incredible history, the food is genuinely good, classic American pub fare. We ordered a round of burgers, wings, and cold beers, and everything was delicious, filling, and hit the spot perfectly before hitting the trails. Service was super friendly and handled the bustling crowd with ease. Skip the fast food and pull over here instead--it's an unforgettable roadside gem! read more

a minute ago New So sad, didn't even get to experience this saloon. After asking for quarters to play pool, Bartender wouldn't even look at me. Waited 8 minutes standing at the bar, then we all walked out. 7 of us just wanted to have drinks and play pool. read more

Awful. We arrived with a party of seven and were told the wait would be about 20 minutes. After that time passed, we checked in multiple times and kept getting vague updates. Finally, after waiting over an hour, I asked again and was told our table still wasn't available because the family there was "enjoying dessert" and that we should "make a reservation next time." What made it worse was the attitude. The restaurant has multiple signs from the owner telling customers not to be "an a** ****". Pot calling the kettle black. There are plenty of better places to grab dinner. I'd def stop by for a beer though. read more

Went on the hike to Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy reservoir and was looking for a place to eat afterwards. This cute rustic oldest continually operated saloon in California is in Groveland, not too far away from the trail, about an hour. The ambience inside is rustic, low lighting with small lamps at each table. There is a separate room with a pool table and an exquisite antique bar. We were greeted promptly and told to sit anywhere. Service was friendly throughout and other than having to ask for a water refill the waiter was fairly attentive. My husband got a hamburger, which apparently they are known for, and a Caesar salad. He said his hamburger was great, and the Caesar salad was very good. I ordered fish tacos. They were not bad, but I think I would recommend a burger or a salad for anyone coming here. My husband also ordered the chocolate cake. For the price I didn't feel like it was worth it, but he thoroughly enjoyed it . An interesting note, there is money all over the ceiling here, and our waiter said it's an old bar thing. People stick a tack in a bill and throw it at the ceiling to see if it will stick haha. Look up the history on this saloon! It's a must stop if you are in the area! read more

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After our hike at the Hetchy Hetchy Reservoir, the four of us were starving since we hadn't really had lunch. We stumbled upon a saloon in downtown Groveland. While it had the vibe of a dive bar, we were relieved to see families with children inside. The saloon had a unique charm, with dollar bills covering the ceiling and deer heads mounted on the walls. It was a bit dark, but I didn't mind. My partner ordered a beet salad. It was good, made with the same ingredients I'd had at another restaurant, though I preferred my version--perhaps because of the dressing. My daughter and I split a cheeseburger and fries, planning to save room for ice cream later. The burger and fries were cooked perfectly--thankfully, since my daughter refuses to eat burgers if there's even a hint of pink in the meat. My partner's daughter had a different burger, but I can't recall which one since I didn't take a photo. Overall, our meal was satisfying, the service was quick and attentive, and I'm glad we decided to try this place! read more

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Great stop on the way to Yosemite Park. Good beers. Great atmosphere in the oldest continuously running saloon in California. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

Horrible customer service. We came in planning to order food, but the bartender was so rude in the way he spoke to us that we decided to leave instead. Customer service starts with how you treat people, and the bartender's approach was unprofessional and unwelcoming. I would strongly recommend providing additional customer service training, especially on how to communicate with guests respectfully and kindly. A friendly attitude and respectful approach can make all the difference in a customer's experience. read more

Girls trip to Yosemite and we stayed in Groveland. A couple of the girls have been here before so they suggested coming here. Since it's the oldest operating saloon. After looking at the reviews I was a little skeptical if I'm being honest. When I travel I always like to eat at the best restaurants. So glad I went with the flow and didn't fight coming here for lunch. Kimberly was amazing. Although they were busy she sat us fairly quickly. She was very attentive and friendly. We sat on the bar side. They have karaoke on Thursdays. While looking through the menu we read about the history of the place. Everything we ordered was delicious. The wings were extra crispy how I like them 10/10. I'm not a huge fan of pretzels so I never order this as an appetizer. One of the girls ordered one and offered me a piece. Wow, the pretzel had a crunchy crust and the inside was so soft 10/10. It melted in my mouth. That honey mustard was delicious. I ordered the Work Burger lettuce wrapped, which I was informed they don't necessarily do. They just put extra lettuce on it which I was fine with. The burger was a 10/10 and if I ever come back I'd order it again. Also their beet and goat cheese salad was a 10/10. I also tried their homemade chips with bbq sauce. I love chips and these were homemade 10/10. read more

Iron Door Saloon - We all had a great experience with service & food. - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

We tried this restaurant while stay at Mountain Pike. I had western burger. It was delicious. One thing to mention they add excessive amount of sauce. Friends tried different version s works burger. Katie hopefully I am spelling her name correctly, she was very sweet and friendly. Patiently took everyone's order. Ambiance is cool and very unique. Parking available at the behind the building. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Inside the restaurant - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

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This is the oldest saloon still in operations and of course we had to take a tour! Just wow.... So much fun! The menu is large and we did not get a chance to try the food. We will be back! Street parking. Karaoke on Thursday nights. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

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The food was absolutely amazing!!waiters were so nice! Decoration was very nice! Family of 4 ate great!! They even included kids as well! Like trying to find the little doll they hide around!! 10/10 experience! read more

Awesome place to hang out and make new acquaintances. Had a great time the other day at the bar. Got to know the very knowledgeable bartender and enjoyed discussing our love for wine ! I had the wings. They were delicious and finished them quickly! Ambiance is a cool rustic mining town vibe and enjoyed the atmosphere. I had the hazy beer on tap by Around the Horn and it was delightfully refreshing. So I had another beer too! Overall a great time out and will be sure to visit again soon when I am in the area! read more

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Sorry but this review is from 2023, but still was a great time and good food and beer! Cool old school ambience of old town times. Service was good and yummy tacos! Would recommend! read more

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Great vegan options, ambiance and service!!! We had the beyond burger on homemade sourdough bread with avocado and buffalo sauce. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Iron door saloon - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

I'm giving this place four stars for the overall experience, rustic ambiance and friendly service. Understand you're visiting the oldest saloon in California in a small town so please tame expectations. You're gonna get small town friendly service but the cocktails and food are not gonna be of the same caliber as the bigger cities. The old-fashioned was meh, so I'd recommend sticking to beer. Didn't try any of their specialty drinks as they didn't fit the saloon vibes...too run of the mill touristy types. Now thinking of it, so was the old-fashioned. It was watered down and not boozy as it should be. Fish and chips: not bad, but nothing special. The beet salad was however pretty good as was the zappole. Parking: either street or there's some behind the saloon. Availability will depend on when you come. Bonus: they have Wi-Fi. Check your napkin holder. Recommendation: remove the disco ball and lean into your history of having great bourbon and whiskey cocktails in addition to the tourist favorite.. read more

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Wonderfully historic saloon with good food and friendly staff. We stopped in for lunch while camping in the area. Jalapeño poppers, Maui Wawa burger and a Cali burger were all delish. Rustic charm with a lot of historical photos on the walls. Don't miss the gorgeous bar back! read more

Iron Door Saloon - Lunch menu - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

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Really good food and good cocktail menu. The decor is interesting and service is good. Had a great burger with their house potato chips and just about cleaned my plate. The jalapeño watermelon margaritas are a spicy jolly rancher and delicious. There aren't a lot of options in Groveland but I would go here anyway. Highly recommend. read more

My husband and I were in the area, we were very hungry and the food was amazing. We definitely enjoyed the ambience and had a great time. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

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Such an incredibly historic place in this tiny little town of Groveland. We only ended up here because this town essentially shuts down in the late fall/winter. We happened to be here staying at the hotel next door on a Tuesday which, I guess has been scrubbed from the calendar this time of year as everyplace else in town was closed. Luckily the Iron Door was open and happenin' with a decent crowd and some great food and drinks to go along with serious helping of history. The Iron Door has the claim to fame of being the oldest saloon in CA dating back to 1852. I mean 1952 was a long time ago but 1852! Damn! Well they've got the usual pub grub but it's actually quite good, with burgers cooked exactly as ordered ( mid rare) and all the usual sandwiches and salads. . They've also got a serviceable selection of dinner entrees, a decent beer selection and some mighty good drinks from the bar. But even if you don't partake in any of it, just go in and walk through and bathe in the history. You'll be glad you did. read more

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I group of friends and I stopped by the iron door on our way to a white water rafting trip. However we didn't feel quite welcomed, the "host" looked like she was really annoyed to see us. Once we sat down and actually had a chance to order, we we felt like we were rushed to eat and not given a chance to enjoy the food The food itself was okay, nothing to brag about. Your typical bar style food. However the prices were a bit ridiculous but, that comes with the location I guess. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Dollar thrown on ceiling - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

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I wish I could give this place no stars. We came really excited to dine as a family and by the end of our meal, to put it mildly, we felt very uncomfortable. Our waitress, Sami B (got the name from the receipt but she's the girl with glasses and curly hair), sat us down and spoke rudely to most of the people in our party. We understand if staff may be overwhelmed so took that with consideration and care. But the environment/energy changed once she started snapping at our kids (note: the kids were excited they found miner - a game that the bar has for kids). We immediately felt uncomfortable. On top of that, she overcharged us by putting extra items on our receipt, sat us on 2 tables and charged the 20% gratuity to both tables (group of 4 and group of 6 - their policy is that they charge a table of 6+ gratuity. We asked to be seated together after food had been given and she shared that it was for another party - that lo and behold, the waiting room was empty & no one came). For horrible service, food, and the extra side of unpleasantry, I wouldn't recommend this place. I had high hopes for people to be human, especially in this climate but alas, we didn't have that experience. Here's the kicker - there is a family restroom that the saloon doesn't let families use - particularly our group. I'd recommend to check out other places in Groveland. For factual ratings - Food: 3/5 (do not come here if you're a vegetarian - save your $30. The rest of the food was mediocre) Staff: 0/5 I wish I would've interacted with others but this rating is solely based on the waitress. Vibe: 4/5 The saloon does a good job having unique and conversational pieces. Cleanliness: 3/5 It felt sticky at times but the tables were cleaned between customers. To the team who is reading this - please know, there are families that genuinely want to enjoy your dining place but with today's experience, it seems like there may be some education or training required. I hope you heard us and felt our uncomfortable experience through this review - and want to do better. For the future customers that swing through your door, excited to try your menu. read more

My family and I were staying in Groveland for 2 nights for our stay on the west side of Yosemite. The Iron Door Saloon was right across the street from our hotel the Charlotte Inn. Prior to going to Yosemite I mentioned it to one of my co-workers of my trip and where I was staying for a few nights and he said I have to check out the Iron Door Saloon. One of the nights after a day of hiking and eating some dinner the kids went back to the room and me and my lady went to check it out just had to knowing the history of the place and being the oldest saloon in CA still going. We didn't get any food but had some drinks of course. Ambiance was great definitely can feel and see the history of this place. Cool bar with plenty of nostalgia on the walls and ceiling watch if you go make sure to look up. They had a live band playing the night we went. It was a mix of locals and tourists which is cool but definitely a local spot as it's really the only happening place I Groveland which adds to it. Staff was courteous and attentive. Would and will definitely stop in again whenever we make the journey up to Yosemite. read more

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Still a great pit stop to or from Yosemite! We waited 15 mins for a table the Monday of Memorial Day weekend. Ambiance is western and old school. Food service is slow because they are understaffed but all the employees are super sweet. I got the chicken burger with chipotle sauce & ranch with side of onion rings. My partner got parmesan crusted grilled cheese with turkey & avocado. Yummy too. Highly recommend read more

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The Iron Door Saloon has become our go-to spot after a day of hiking in the Yosemite Valley area, and this Tuesday was no exception. We rolled in around 3:45 PM and were seated right away--thankfully it wasn't too busy. It's clear they've been making some updates! The women's bathroom has been remodeled--definitely a cleaner and more modern vibe now, though there are still a few loose ends (like the faucet) that could use tightening up. We also noticed some new tables in the dining area, which added a nice refresh to the rustic interior. Service was a little slow to start--our server took a while to come over initially--but once she got to us, she was kind, patient, and got everything right. I ordered a side salad with marinated onions (instead of raw) and no croutons for a gluten-free option, plus truffle fries with grilled chicken. My friend got a side salad and chicken strips. Nothing gourmet, but just what we needed to refuel after a long hike--simple, tasty, and satisfying. The real charm of Iron Door is the character of the place--it's quirky, full of history, and has that old-school saloon atmosphere that keeps us coming back. Great for a casual bite and cold drink after exploring Yosemite. Will definitely return after our next outdoor adventure! read more

Iron Door Saloon - Side salad w/ marinated onions & ranch dressing - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

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Great historic bar to stop at if you are going to or from Yosemite through Groveland. Really cool piece of history

We weren't really sure what we would be expecting at a "historic" establishment - the oldest saloon in California. And absolutely, the place screams history. But we weren't sure because we had kids in our party. The interior is historic alright, but also really worn down. We were a bit confused as to how to enjoy the atmosphere - whether soak ourselves in 1852 or cut it slack for being quirky in 2025. The ceiling was a bit gross with spitballs of bills stuck to it like a disease. I'm sure there's some significance here but it was ghastly to say the least. And yes, it is a saloon but they could absolutely use a bit more lighting during the day. Again, at 2pm, it isn't a nightclub nor a karaoke saloon. Other than this, the entire place is again like a museum with artifacts from all over time hanging from walls and ceilings. Surprisingly, the food was quite good. The battered fries were near perfection. We were genuinely blown away on the quality of effort that was put into preparation - especially given the cuisine being American comfort food. The bacon burger was juicy and flavorful. The cobb salad was well made except they could've used a bit more fresher avocados and eggs. Other than that, it held well together. Iron Door Saloon has so much potential. All they need to do is "clean it up" a bit and be more museum and lean on history than a run-down, random collection of artifacts. The food backs it up. But everything else comes up short. The service was friendly but super slow. And I don't think it was our table only. And there weren't many in restaurant. If you are passing by Groveland, and want a bit of history, then this is it. But I wouldn't recommend it more than once a few years. read more

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What could improve? 1. Customer service training for the staff who has curly hair. So fucking rude after following up for our group order. All other staff were 100% fine, except for her. 2. Over priced meals - come on, yall in a small town tryna charge more. Be fair with the tourists. 3. Food - Teriyaki or Teriyucky? read more

REALLY great atmosphere. Staff is really nice. It was pretty obvs that I'm new to the area and they accommodated well! They do not play about ID! The signs tell all! Great burgers. And I usually go in for some mozzarella sticks. There is a pool table that only takes quarters. I think it's about $4 or $6 to play a round? History of the saloon is great too. read more

Came here on a Friday morning around 10 am. There's limited parking on the street and some parking in lots behind/between businesses. We were greeted and seated immediately by the friendly people working. It was very cool to read the history of the establishment on the back of the menu, this place has been around for a while! I didn't get to see the bar portion of the place, but the breakfast area had a lot of old historical photos and pictures of what I assume to be Yosemite. I decided to get the chicken fried steak with 2 sunny side up eggs, hashbrowns, and a pancake (which I substituted from bread/toast). My boyfriend got a spicy Bloody Mary, a full order of the biscuits and gravy with 2 sunny side up eggs, and a full order of sausage. The Bloody Mary spice surprised my boyfriend but I didn't think it was too spicy, definitely spicier than your typical Bloody Mary but he specifically asked for it to be spicy. The chicken fried steak was delicious, my favorite part of the meal but a tad small. The hashbrowns were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and the eggs were cooked perfectly. I put a lot of extra black pepper because of how creamy the gravy was. I also added some tobasco. The side order of sausage was good too, good sausage. The pancake was fluffy and buttery. The food was exactly what I expected and a little more. It was delicious and very hearty but more pricey than what I'm used to. Definitely worth it if you want to eat breakfast in town as there aren't that many options. Ambiance is chill and servers are welcoming! Would recommend for breakfast. read more

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"California's oldest saloon" While I was visiting my friend up in Groveland, we went to have breakfast here one day. She's been there a couple of times, and she liked it. The place definitely has an old western type of vibe. I got the waffles and hashbrowns while she got a omelet, I think... The food was pretty good. I liked the waffles as there were soft and crunchy. Our server was pretty friendly and attentive. What I didn't like was a table of this older couple who was making comments about my friend's daughter being annoying. She's two years old, and that's just how kids are. Lol... We walked in the bar area to check it out, and it was really fascinating looking in there. All the dollar bills hanging, and they have the heart love sign that I have at home as well! Haha not a fan of the animal heads on the walls because that just makes me sad. :( It was definitely nice to try if you're in the area. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

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I came here for a bachelorette trip. We had a great time and the chef and the owner were super friendly and welcoming. They have dollars stuck up on the ceiling and we asked the waitress about it and she welcomed us trying to get our dollars onto the ceiling! Even the owner came to help give us advice. Food was good and came out quickly. I ordered the chicken bourbon sandwich, and I was happy that the chicken was moist and flavorful. Overall, a really cool place to check out. At 9pm, they have live music- but we were too tired to stay. I'd come back again next time I'm in the area! read more

The food was yummy! However, a rat wondered out into the restaurant dining area after we finished eating our food last Wednesday and when we told the employee. He said, well we're in the mountains. Seeing the rat in the dining area turned my stomach. And his response felt like it was not common for a rat to be in the restaurant because of it's location. Unfortunately, I will never eat there again. read more

A very interesting place. The star is the ambience. It is an old time saloon - operating since the 1800's, animal heads on the wall, old equipment hanging from the ceiling. The food is mostly burgers of different styles. I had pork ribs and they were tasty and about a full rack. The sweet potato fries were above average. My wife had the honey bourbon bowl and enjoyed it. The service was friendly and efficient. As it filled, the service lagged a little as you would expect. Overall, a good experience with good food. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Decor - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

Thank you Kenny for your fab beer-tending and chat! Customer service is king. What a cool place in Groveland. Yes it's the oldest bar in CA. Good vibes. They do have food but I missed and the kitchen closed. Ran down the street for take out. Kenny pours a great Lagunitas. They do have a local brew on tap too. Plenty of tables and good size bar to hang out. Check it out. Next time get here in time to eat. read more

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I went there a few weeks ago. I have been there before a few times. Iron Door Saloon restaurant is a historic restaurant in an old historic building. Decor is interesting, you could see in photo. They have those "hunting" animal head mounted on the wall. 1) Food is good 2) Employees/waiters/waitresses are super friendly 3) Atmosphere is pretty relaxing. read more

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The iron door is steeped with history. It's so cool to just sit in the main bar area and check everything out. But--- you can also enjoy some good food and good drinks. I really liked the fish and chips. My husband got the a special treat as they had Pho the night we went and it was GREAT! It's a definite must experience in Groveland read more

This place is like stepping back in time. The Iron Door is California's oldest saloon that was built in 1852. It's definitely populated by the locals who live in the area and they all seem to really enjoy the spot. They have an incredible (modern) jukebox with thousands of songs to choose from, so that's fun for the kids- and the adults! We were having a great time conversing with our bartender, Kenny, who was accommodating, friendly and funny. The food, however, was really incredible. We ordered the fish and chips and we didn't get a chance to take a picture of it for our review because we devoured it. Their jalapeño poppers were so fresh and spicy, and it really hit the spot after a long day of hiking in Yosemite. The drinks were also fabulous and well balanced, so they definitely knew what they're doing in terms of cocktails. We had such a great time there on the first night, we went back for a second night in a row! Good times. read more

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For a place in a tiny town that has virtually no competition and that bills itself as the "Oldest Saloon in California", Iron Door did not have to try very hard. At least, I was not expecting much. But I was surprised. The burgers were exceptional - our party of four each got one, with varying amount of toppings, from the minimalist (me, with only lettuce, tomato and onions) to the excessive (my partner, who got the works). All of us were happy. And the fries and beer were first rate as well. The atmosphere was a bit dark and cavernous, and we had to wait a while to get a table, but overall, a great experience. While we were waiting for our table we had ample time to peruse the menu. Since the price points were on the high side, we found nothing to tempt us away from the burgers, and I think sticking with them was the right decision. But who knows, I may have been pleasantly surprised by the other dishes too. Since I was just passing through on the way from Yosemite, I won't have another opportunity to find out. read more

I this place! Who doesn't love a good old saloon. This is the Oldest running saloon in California! The Lemon drops are delicious and beer is ICE cold. The food is good. I had the Veggie melt with sweet potato fries. Look forward to visiting anytime I am in Groveland. read more

Iron Door Saloon - Bars Near Me - Groveland, California

VERY DISAPPOINTED First we drove an hour and a half to enjoy the experience of the Iron Door Saloon. We arrived at the Iron Door at about 11:15 for lunch. We were told by an employee that they would not be open until 12:00noon. Note. Website reflects open at 11:00. We were a group of 4. We were seated at noon. We ordered 3 cocktails and an ice tea. So far so good. Next 2 Honey bbq chicken sandwiches, cheeseburger and chicken tenders with garlic fries. Asked for 2 separate bills but they don't allow that. After receiving our food we did not see our server/waitress until the bill came. At that point she was told there was no Honey bbq sauce on the chicken sandwiches. Well she said yes there was but it a clear sauce. WHAT! We didn't say anything but that was a ridiculous statement. There were no garlic fries either. I will say the one order of cocktails were very good but she never came back for us to order another nor any refills for the ice tea. Very disappointed and will not be recommending this restaurant read more