The little saloon that could. Operating in Utah for 130 years.
Starting business in 1879, the Shooting Star is the oldest surviving saloon in Utah, which makes it a glowing beacon of hope in a state known for its obtuse liquor laws. What makes the Shooting Star even more unique is that it is located deep within rural Utah and not in the sinners haven of Salt Lake City, or worse yet, Park City.
Part of the saloon’s longevity probably comes from it being built out of brick, but on the business end, it serves a mean $3.00 burger, draft beer for $1.25 and is packed with personality.
Welcome to Utah. Any questions?
There must be over $1,000 worth of dollar bills stapled to the ceiling. I'm sure there's a history to this, but it also just seems to fit right in with the decor.
A rotating illustration behind the bar which depicts the phenomena known as "beer goggles."
The wall of wisdom.
The measure of any self-respecting bar is what kind of dead animals they have on their wall, and in that regard, the Shooting Star is off the charts.
From the men's room - it's almost like not being in Utah.
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I’ve crawled out of that hole a few times… definitely a Utah classic!
Speaking of alchohol, whats with the skier-lemming trail to PBR? Even a card-carrying Mormon such as myself knows better suds. But maybe thats the sad irony of Utah – when practicing on the sly (beer not wives) you go right for meat and blow-off the potatoes.
The Shooting Star Saloon rules. I’ve contemplated committing suicide via Shooting Star Burger (two cheese burgers with a split open hot dog between the patties). That deer butt boars mouth is the thing of nightmares too.
Nice report. Next time I’m in the area, I’ll stop in for a burger and brew. You’ll have to drink the beer for me, though.
Nice report on the ongoing fight against homogenization Andrew. Good to see a few holdouts in the world. Not a saloon, but Mom’s Cafe in Salina is another great holdout.
But can you get a glass of whiskey there? All the character in the world can’t make up for no whiskey in a bar like that…
A twisted place for sure!
Poor dog must have drank somebody’s beer!
Good Times, had 2 shooting star burgers one early evening a few years back after a day in the powder mountains. Threw down a couple cold ones, hit the spot.
Place is a classic.
Hi Montana – I didn’t notice if they served whiskey at the Shooting Star, but I kind of doubt it as hard liquor bumps the establishment up into a different category (bar vs. restaurant?). Plus, liquor in Utah is a measured shot with a limit of 1.5 oz per drink, which makes it a bad deal. Visitors are always shocked when they order something like a Martini and get a glass with only a trace of liquid in it.
OMR – I think the allure of PBR is that it is cheap, weak and tastes okay, so you can swill a bunch of them without going broke or getting wasted. Utah has some excellent microbrews, but at 2-3 times the price of PBR and the same alcohol content, and being harder to find, PBR usually wins out.
That places looks classic! The story I love is when my buddy asked for a whiskey coke at some bar in Utah. The younger barmaid turned to the bartender and asked, “Do we have ‘the whiskey’?” She had no clue what whiskey was. Wow.
One of my personal favorite Utah drinking stories involved a friend who discovered Long Island Ice Teas in Utah, which are 90% soda and one 1 ounce shot of liquor. On a trip to Elko, Nevada, after skiing a great couloir, we went into a burly cowboy bar where he ordered a Long Island Ice Tea, which was 90% cheap hard liquor and 10% soda, which just about made his eyeballs spin around backwards in his head. We refused to help him finish it and I think most of it got discretely poured out somewhere.
One of my dislikes of Utah’s establishments is the mandatory “must become a member” in order to enter. Is this still true? (haven’t gotten done there in a while.)
pbr helps a utahan stay hydrated, yo.
if you’re a veghead, just tell ‘em to hold the meat on the burger at the shooting star. you’ll get a dirty look but won’t have to explain yourself.
Private clubs are history in Utah come July 1st, 2009.
http://www.powdermag.com/features/news/utah-to-abolish-private-club-law/
I was lucky enough to live in Odgen Valley and was a regular at the Star and Powder Mountain, damn I miss it !!! Thanks for the cool article.
Everybody should spend a day deep in powder followed by a beer(s) and a Star Burger. It does not get any better than that !
Hey, Wonderful family history. I have a really big favor… I run Red Rock Brewery in Salt Lake City, and we would love to obtain a recipie for Fisher Beer. Do you have any knowledge of a written one or possibly know someone who might help?
Bob
hi!
my husband, Eddie, is Margaret Fisher Atwood’s son…how are you related?
rachel
Hi Rachel – yes, although I’m not exactly sure how. My mother is Duse Fisher.
Hi Andrew
We wanted to brew some beer this summer do you have any idea or old recipes on how to make the old fisher beer. It would pretty cool to brew an old recipe. But can’t seem to find it anywhere.
Thanks
Don
Hi Don – I wish I knew some of the recipes, but alas do not. If you ever find one, I’d love to see it.
Hi Andrew,
I will let you know if we ever find it. Very hard to find.
We have looked in old beer recipe books but it has never showed up anywhere.
Do you think any of your family members may have it or any suggestions who may know..
thanks again
I’m going to Utah first week of August. I’m definitely going to make the short trip to try a burger and beer!!!!
Can’t wait!!!