Opened in 1903 in a former haberdashery, the Palace Saloon is Florida's oldest working bar. On the flip of the twentieth century, Fernandina's docks have been a few of the busiest within the south, welcoming sailors from far and large. However of the handfuls of bars that dotted the city's busy harbor district, solely the Palace earned the excellence of being deemed the “Shipcaptain's Bar.”
In line with native lore, the Palace was additionally the final bar in Florida to shut on the eve of Prohibition, with the proprietor, Louis G. Hirth, promoting booze ‘til midnight and grossing a cool $60,000 in a single day. Throughout Prohibition, the saloon offered Texaco gasoline, ice cream, and three % near-beer to remain afloat; it got here again swinging when the twenty first Modification was handed, repealing the ban.
All the time a real “gentleman's institution,” the Palace saved complimentary towels hanging from its bar so males may wipe foam from their mustaches, and a 14-pound brass spitting jar for its many tobacco-chewing clients. The saloon welcomed extra refined guests as effectively, with members of the Carnegie and Rockefeller households amongst its common patrons.
When a fireplace broke out contained in the Palace in 1999, locals apprehensive that the enduring saloon can be misplaced eternally, however with enthusiastic new possession, it was absolutely restored. At the moment, the Palace retains lots of its unique particulars, from inlaid mosaic flooring to embossed tin ceilings. Its 40-foot bar is lit with colourful fuel lamps, whereas the home windows are lined with wealthy purple, gold-trimmed curtains.
Hand-carved mahogany caryatids (undraped feminine figures) watch coyly over the area, whereas a show stand close to the doorway showcases historic memorabilia from Fernandina. And lest you neglect its seafaring historical past, a life-size pirate stands guard on the entrance, welcoming guests to the vigorous treasure trove.
Guests can also be greeted (unknowingly) by one other old-timer of the Palace: its resident ghost, Uncle Charlie. Legend has it that Charlie, a bartender on the saloon, lived in an house proper above it and handed away there in 1960. Charlie nonetheless haunts his longtime hang-out, pouring beer for patrons and taking part in pranks on the employees. One worker recollects cleansing up alone after shut and discovering two glasses of whiskey ready on the bar for her—maybe a celebratory toast from the pleasant ghost.
