The Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House

The drive to get here by itself is a treat. You can feel the air get cooler and the landscape become more thick with trees. Then you arrive to a scene that to the average mind will appear just as it must have a hundred and some years ago when there was surely at least one gunfight outside of the saloon.

The place just reeks of history and as you sit inside, looking above at the box seats, you might feel like this was as much a brothel as an opera house. And then you might lament that brothels no longer exist. And then you might make that comment to someone who reacts rather uncomfortably.

So then you head back to the bar area which has a few good craft beers, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Mendocino Brewing are the ones I recall and you are tempted to shoot some moonshine if only they had it.

You sit down for a private dinner while a band plays classic songs and receive a healthy looking slab of prime rib with some inviting mashed potatoes on the side. You're sure plenty of cowboys and miners and other rough-edged characters had this same meal in their day.

It all comes off as a big history lesson. Or like reading a book about the Old West. But this is the 3-D movie and it's dope.

Food's perfect, drinks are plentiful. Don't ask me about price, cuz this cowboy didn't pay.

Overall, an awesome site.

Dare I say that a bordello was baby friendly?  Cause this former house of ill repute totally was awesome and a fun night out during our weekend trip to Silver City.  We called to make reservations and I let them know we were two and a baby, they saved us a table in a little niche that had curtains (that in former days must have hid more than a gleeful baby playing with a spoon).  The food was very hearty and my husband even got to have quail which was exciting for him!  I had the pork soup and chicken and both were well seasoned and left me stuffed.  There was live music near the bar, but we were so far away that it wasn't overbearing or uncomfortable for our little guy.  I think anyone who is going to Silver City or the Gila Cliff Dwellings probably will stop here anyways, but I just wanted to let everyone know that this place really added a special touch to our trip!  The pictures on the walls are pretty interesting, too.

This is a truly unique and cool place. From the outside, it looks totally untouched from the 1800s. The sign, the surroundings and the overall vibe. It is actually over 100 years old too for real.

If a horse and carriage stopped and dropped customers off, you wouldn't be surprised. It just looks like a movie set from a period piece.

Once inside, it's cozy, inviting and the food is very good. The menu is pretty big. Attentive servers, good bar drinks, open mic and all around good vibe and fun.