Remember that trip we took to Yosemite in 2011 and stayed at that beautiful hotel and had so much fun?? Yeah, neither do I, and I have the Iron Door to thank.
Hubby and I purchased a Living Social deal that took us to Groveland for two nights. We stayed at the lovely, historic and conveniently-located-next-to-a-bar Groveland Hotel, but we didn't spend much time there. After two days of trekking through Yosemite we closed each night at the Iron Door. Such a great time.
Thursday night karaoke was legit. I got to try my hand at a few songs, but the local competition was no joke. The bartender, Chris, is about as sweet as they come. He couldn't have been more kind to my husband and I, going so far as to invite us to meet his wife and kids (also absolute sweethearts). We also have the Iron Door to thank for introducing us to our fave band of 2011, the Paul Chesne Band. (Seriously, Google 'em. Do it now. I'll wait.............)
After two nights of saloon frivolity, our hotel stay was finally over. We, however, were not ready to leave. With some local help, we found a moderately-priced room down the road and made a last-minute reservation, then showed back up for PCB Round 2 and heavy-handed cocktails.
Places like Groveland get their fair share of tourists, and we were guilty as charged. But everyone we encountered was genuinely friendly, and by our third night it felt like we were walking (ok, stumbling) into our very own Cheers.
Thanks, Chris and Iron Door, for a wonderful time...what we remember of it anyway.... ;) Hope to make it back up there soon!
My crew always has a great time at "The Door!"
Kudos to and for... Chris & Brent, The Penetrators Band, Pajama Night, The cheeseburgers and fries, Chris' wife makes the best homemade desserts. I had the berry pie (They opened their ice cream shop next door so I could get a scoop of vanilla), Delicious Pina Coladas in the summer with a dark rum topper, sticking dollar bills to the ceiling contests, The coolest "Where in the hell is Groveland?" T-shirts, the bar raising money for local children and groups, the yummy White Russians and pot stickers, watching Chris scale the bar like Spider Man or listening to his rockin' voice when he sings, friendly locals and all of the crazy photos we've taken there.
I only wish Chris had a car service to pick us up and drive us home :-)
PEACE OUT!
I had never been here before, but after a solid recommendation from the guy on the street giving massages (I will make conversation with anyone), it didn't take a lot of convincing to talk me into a burger at the Iron Door Saloon.
The boyfriend and I both fueled up on cheeseburgers and fries, which were quite good. Simple, nothing fancy, cooked to order, meaty, cheesy, goodness with a side a fries. It was exactly what we needed to sustain ourselves while exploring nearby Rainbow Pools.
This bar is AWESOME! Â My girlfriend and I had just done a pretty decent two day backpacking trip at Hetch Hetchy, and we stopped here for a burger and a beer. Â The waiter was awesome, Â the beer and the burger were both delicious, and the atmosphere in the bar was killer. Â It's truly a small, mining town feel, which I LOVE. Â It's not fancy, and I don't think they cater to tourists - it seemed like a lot of locals when I was there. Â Not that there aren't tourists there all the time, but it just didn't seem like they felt they need to bend over backwards for tourists, and I'm good with that. Â I will definitely go back, and would even make a special weekend trip out there to experience the town.
Review Source:Definitely my regular spot on Thursday nights. I work summers at a sleepaway camp nearby, and their karaoke night is the greatest thing ever. In the world. It's all camp staff and locals, augmented by an always-colorful crew from the Green Tortoise bus passing through. (Ever wanted to meet slews of Australian and European tourists?)
The drinks are cheap, strong, and tasty, and the bartender is exceptionally nice. (Heart you Chris!) Most of all, the karaoke is totally fun, and a lot of interesting people get up to sing. My personal favorite is Groveland classic Mike Edwards, who always sings the same couple of songs with phenomenal flair. And the drunk kids from the Green Tortoise bus.
It's rather quiet during the parts of the week that aren't Thursday night - I've been there a couple of times for their shockingly cheap happy hour. But go for the karaoke night, and it'll be an experience unlike anything you've ever seen!
Good prices on drinks, especially at Happy Hour. Â Good local colorful folks. Â Pool room. Â Lots of local decor items. Â Food is GOOD, like a bar should be. Â The homemade potato chips and BBQ dip were unbelieveably tasty and at $3 I could eat them for B, L & D.
Stella on tap.
Iron Door Saloon is a good reason to stop in Groveland. Â Just make sure your hotel is nearby.
I've been to the Iron Door many times over the years on my way back from Yosemite. Â I've stayed away in recent years because the service always seemed to be bad, although I thought the food was usually quite good. Â This past weekend we decided to give it another shot.
We arrived around lunchtime on a Sunday & the place was deserted. Â Granted the weather was crappy so not many people were driving through town. Â There are usually at least a few other folks eating or drinking when we've been here but this time it was just us & 3 guys at the bar. Â Because of the lack of customers we did get good service tho...a big plus!
Since we were in a bar, Hubby & I both ordered a Grizzly Brown Ale (I couldn't very well order a coke in a saloon).  For lunch I ordered the Reuben & hubby had the burger with cheese & bacon.  When the burger arrived, it was almost comical.  It looked like a slightly larger version of a McDonalds burger (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ojIi9AvZM3m6Unoi0uvHUQ?select=sT2GcNWnRQIb6vHO4Rd3og">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>).  Did we order the child's burger instead?  My Reuben was OK but it was also a bit small.  The sweet potato fries were good & came in a cute little tin cup.
I love the olde timey look & feel to this place. Â It definitely has character & can get quite lively at night (as heard while zooming through town on my way to Yosemite on Friday nights). Â I'd stop in for a beer sometime if I'm in town but I doubt I'd come back for the food. Â
Don't forget to check out the ceiling...hundreds of dollar bills have been tacked on over the years (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ojIi9AvZM3m6Unoi0uvHUQ?select=MJF3jmmh_UTA5iTalW0J7w">http://www.yelp.com/biz_…</a>).  Last time we were here we contributed a dollar, but it took us quite a few tries to get it to stick!
I've been here a couple times on the way out of Yosemite. Our waitress was pleasant, but the food is not very good. Burger was ok, not great for a $12 burger and the fries were weak at best. Â The worst item was by far the "motherload" Â nachos. A dish of velveta, ground beef, jalapenos, guac, and I'm not sure what, with a cold dish of chips on the side. Â
Nachos are easy to make well for any kitchen, and these were ridiculous. Â Use real cheese. The "cheese product" used is disgusting. The presentation is just a short cut for the kitchen and looks very unappetizing. Nachos should have chips under real melted cheese.
I have never not had fun at the Door. Â Karaoke thursdays are when I usually make my appearance, and the place is packed with locals, green tortoise folks, and staff from different summer camps around the area. Â If you are into singing, this is not the kind of place you will have to wait over an hour to sing your song...the DJ mixes it up so everybody gets a turn. If your not big on singing, the dance floor is usually poppin off too. Â I have also been here on Saturday nights when theres live music and had an incredible time.
Whether or not this place is actually the oldest saloon in California, they do not fail to make it feel that way. Â Every time I walk into the dimly lit bar/dining area with deer and bear heads on the wall I feel like I've stepped into a time machine back to the 1920's. Â Also, food is hella good...probably the best in the area. Â If you're on your way to Yosemite, or just passing by, you need to stop in here.
I
LOVE
THIS
PLACE.
Iron Door Saloon, built prior to 1852, claims to be California's oldest saloon, and it's got a whole bunch of personality. Â In this dark and brooding dive-ish bar you'll find taxidermy animals and interesting old photographs on the walls, various gold digging tools displayed, crumpled dollar bills tacked to the ceiling, and many more sights to behold.
On Saturday night we enjoyed the small but yummy bison burger, phenomenal sweet potato fries with cinnamon-sugar and maple syrup, and 3 rounds of drinks. Â My boyfriend liked his Grizzly beer ($6), which is what came to the table when he asked for the darkest beer on tap, and my White Russians ($5.75) were good but contained too much cream.
Also enjoyed the live bluesy band and the entertainment that ensued when some patrons from San Diego and Pittsburgh (not us) warmed up enough to "get on the floor," as Jennifer Lopez would say.
Service? Â The bartender brought us menus with a smile after we seated ourselves, our server Joe couldn't have been a cooler guy if he tried, and on our way out another employee opened the door and thanked us for coming. Â In other words, service was wonderful.
Iron Door is advertised as being very family-friendly, believe it or not. Â Per the website:
"Bettike Barsotti and her husband Peter bought the Iron Door Saloon in 1985 and were chagrined that that couldn't bring their 4 children into the saloon as, at the time anyone under the age of 21 years were not allowed on the premises. Â [...] Â Right away the Barsotti's were on a mission to open up the Iron Door to people of all ages and to build their dream of transforming the Iron Door Saloon into a place that families, as well as visitors from around the world and people from all walks of life, would feel welcome."
We had a blast. Â Iron Door Saloon, you will be missed!
Not a Thursday night goes by that I don't wish I were at "The Door." Â Sadly, it is a bit of a commute from my home in San Francisco. Â But the summers that I worked in Yosemite, you would be hard pressed not to find me here on a Thursday night (along with that guy that sings a Groveland version of "Piano Man" and a slew of Australians). Â I love that Chris always recognizes me even after a 9-month off season hiatus and Tim (Tim?) knows that I only sing pop songs, or songs from Disney movies and got a pop karaoke CD with me in mind.
When I used to drink, I swore by the Long Island Iced Tea- it will mess you up in the best way possible. Â Now, I appreciate the Diet Coke, and my friends who have been messed up by the aforementioned Long Island Iced Teas.
Iron Door Saloon, I love you and I'll be wishing I were with you on Thursday night,
This is the mountains, people!! Â Geesh! Â Things don't run the way they do in the city time. Â Relaaaaaax............. Â You're supposed to be on vacation. Â Stop in simply to "smell the roses" for a spell. Â This place is pure nostalgia. Â I teach fourth grade California history and I'm telling you, the interior is museum worthy for those taking the time to look around. Â From its Gold Rush memorabilia and photos to its granite and schist construction, this place is a time capsule!! Â
I can't make a trip to Pine Mountain Lake without one night at the saloon. Â I look forward to the great conversations that can be had with random locals and tourists up at the bar. Â Everyone is ALWAYS so friendly and willing to pass the time with new friends over a cold glass of something or other. Â
The entertainment is always fun, too! Â Live bands on Fridays and Saturdays, Karaoke on other nights, Liar's Dice available from the friendly bar staff, and a great pool room ;) Â All the amenities and ambiance are provided for you. Â So use them to your advantage and have FUN!! Â When in Rome, right??!
I won't be stopping here again. Â It just wasn't good enough to warrant a second visit.
We stopped by on the way to Yosemite (seems like everyone who wasn't a local was on their way to Yosemite) since we were in the mood for garlic fries and it seemed to be the place for garlic fries.
I've never had such soggy garlic fries. There was a lot of garlic (yay!) but the fries were rather limp (boo!)
The fried green beans were okay. Â The burgers were okay, but no one in my group felt the need to finish off our food or take it with us.
So, mediocre food. Â Would've gotten two stars, except for the horrible waitstaff.
The waitresses (didn't see any male employees, but I'm sure there must be) always seemed to dismiss my group. Â We had to flag down two different ladies before we could get the extra silverware we needed. Â Anytime we needed more water - same story. Â When my burger arrived without the sauce it was supposed to come with, it took me a couple of tries of explaining to the waitresses before I got it. Â It didn't seem like anyone else was getting decent service, either. Â At any point, you could look up and see a patron trying to flag down one of the waitresses.
This place had a lot of huge groups with children, so if you're looking for someplace where your kids need to burn off excess energy and scream their heads off after being in the van for so long, you may want to stop here.
The throwing a dollar onto the ceiling thing... Â While cool in concept, in execution, it's a bit dangerous. Â I watched a lot of people try and the "darts" just falling back to the tables.
I really cannot recommend this place. Â Save your money and eat elsewhere.
One of the most terrible dining experiences I've ever had. Â I was hoping for another great small town experience. Â My friend and I took a road trip and have experienced awesome pizzerias in templeton and unique bakeries in bishop but this "saloon" was just plain bad. Â
First off, they're extremely understaffed but that's ok. Â I don't mind waiting a bit so I can take in the atmosphere. Â After 10 minutes of waiting, the runner brought over the utensils. Â Sorry, I meant to say "threw" our utensils on the table and resumed to go flirt with a customer at the bar. Â I don't like to just walk out and like to give restaurants a chance with food. Â My friend ordered their "mountain burger" which seems to be barely larger than a McDonald's cheeseburger ($10). Â I ordered the garlic soup. Â Big mistake. Â It was heavy and it burned my chest going down. Â And this is from a guy who's able to just eat garlic raw. Â It was just really bad. Â I still tipped 15% only because the waitress was still polite friendly. Â Otherwise the review would be a one star. Â
Places like these would deter me back to fast food.
A great stop on the way to Yosemite.
What first caught my attention to this is that it is a wonderful old building set in the center of town. You do walk though the Iron Doors to enter the place and they have a restaurant and a saloon in the same building. Every time that I travel though I stop in. The main reason I keep coming back is because they have sweat Potato French Fries. The burgers are fresh, and sometimes they even have buffalo. Great beer on tap I always like the Grizzly Brown.
I have never been here late into the evening but I am sure that it is great bar. Hanging with the locals and some travelers is always fun.
It is also known as one of the oldest bars in California.
The one random trip we took to our friend's cabin near here inevitably led us to this place. And what a place it was. It's exactly what you'd think a saloon to be and more crazy than you'd think it would be on a Saturday night in the summer. Everyone was there, 20 somethings to 50 somethings and it was a mighty fine time nonetheless.
There's a reason why this place has been open that long.
Daves Review:
Little did I know that the place I'd be driven past as a young kid would be one of my favorite places to visit when I'm on the road.
They don't have the largest selection of boozes, but they have enough to get the job done.
I've been here as a kid and now as a 30 year old (boy does time fly!) and I can't say that I've ever had a real complaint about the place. Â I had a great time here for a New Year's Eve party with a bunch of my family, have been here multiple times for the live bands that play, and for the average visit just to get my personal favorite, Buffalo Burger with Sweet Potato fries!
Make sure to bring a buck so you can attempt to add your name to the list of invitees for the annual party!
And to "Humberto S." and his racism comments, I'm fairly certain that either the owner or the manager is Asian (I forget his name), so I doubt the "whites only" attitude is coming from the staff.
Iron Door Saloon is the oldest saloon in California, since 1852. That's what's written at the front. I know of at least 5 other places claiming the same all in the Bay Area. For example, "Tadich Grill" in San Francisco is open since 1849. Ok, 'nough said.
This place reminded me of the bar in the movie "From Dusk Till Dawn." Mismatched paraphernalia from late 1800s to early 1900s plus some more recent taxidermy specimens. Creepy rustling dollar bills glued to the ceiling add to the overall Tarantinian ambiance, if you know what I mean.
We stopped here on our way to Yosemite for lunch. Service was friendly and food was a touristy mix of 1/3 pound burgers for a touristy price of around $10/dish and a mediocre taste. At 1 p.m., there already were people at the bar having beer and other quenching beverages under the menacing rustling of dollar bills up above.
I hear happy hours are a killer with $2.50 American draft beer and well drinks. Live music probably helps as well.
Still not impressed.
Oldest bar in California. Check.
Live metal band playing. Check.
Stiff drinks. Check.
A very "Groveland" type of crowd. Check.
Dancing. Check.
What more could you ask for? This place has all you need for a mountain town saloon. We had such a fun time here, and if I stay in Groveland again, I'll come back here.
Go on Karaoke Night during the high season and you won't be disappointed. It's worth the drive from the valley, but don't even THINK about not "designating" a driver.
Not because Ryan will be out there looking for you in his bad ass Ranger SUV, but because the deer WON'T"T be looking for you, nor will the bears at the Merced turnoff (I still don't know why they are ALWAYS in the road right there!)
Stopped by here Sunday night on our way home from Yosemite. Supposedly this is the "oldest bar in California that is still open". It's a neat place and pretty big. Lots of seating and an area for Karaoke. They also have a ceiling full of dollar bills pinned to the top. I heard that with the help of quarters and a pin that these dollar bills are thrown to the ceiling and stay. Not exactly sure how they do it....but it looks cool!
We arrived later in the evening and they were done serving food but we had a few drinks. Service is friendly and the place is clean. They also have two pool tables in the back area (but only one set of balls).
Might stop by here again when passing through Groveland in the future.
Four of us went for lunch on a Saturday. Â It was nearly packed, but we were seated quickly. Â
We had burgers, garlic-potato fries, sweet potato fries, a salad and all were great. Â I was very surprised at how delicious the burgers and fries were.
The place is unique and fun with the decor, as mentioned in the other reviews. Â Parking area is not obvious. Â We parked across the street.
Thanks Lrod for finding the place! Â I totally thought I reviewed it. Â
Iron Door Saloon will be a stop I make BEFORE I head into Yosemite from now on. Â Why? Â Because they have a garlic soup. Â Well if you like garlic like I do, the reason is obvious. Â But if you want to keep the mosquitoes away, then you might want to have some before you start your camping trip. Â Nothing like a good bowl of garlic soup and a natural mosquito deterent in one!
The buffalo wings are worth an honorable mention as well.
How could I forget to review the Iron Door Saloon?!
After chatting with Flor about Yosemite, the light bulb went off.
This is the place to hit up after your half dome conquest. This saloon has been there over 100 yrs. Inside, you will see dollar bills dangling from the cieling (ask how to get yours up there) and all kinds of Gold Rush memorabilia.
I had a burger with fries and a yummy margarita to celebrate on the way out of Yosemite. The food here is great. Way better than what you will find in Curry village.
There is a pool table and the bar is poppin at all hours!
On the way to Yosemite we stopped here for lunch, on my dad's insistence. We'd eaten here on our trip last year, too, and as he told the waitress, "I traveled 750 miles to have lunch here!"
Wide selection of burgers and sandwiches, along with the broadest choice of milkshake flavors I've ever encountered (15 or so). The taxidermy and local historical photos on the walls give a very rustic feel, though it's clearly set up to be an entertainment hub in the evenings. A stage implies live bands, and the disco ball, jukebox, and coin-op pool tables round out the fun. (Plus, check out all the $1 bills stuck to the ceiling!) The only real down-side is a troublesome number of flies that manage to get inside; a couple fly-strips near the doors could probably help a lot. In addition to seating in the bar area--which is open to minors with parents--there is also a small restaurant area.
They have an excellent happy hour, which is a great time to try any (or all) of the 10 beers they have on tap. Monday - Friday, 4-7pm. Domestic beers and most well drinks are only $2! I've paid more than that for WATER at a bar in San Francisco!
TIP: Park behind the restaurant and be careful pulling out--visibility up and down the road is poor. Also, the stairs down to the back door are unusually tall, so be careful.
There is a new term to describe drunken revelry:
"Being hit by the Iron Door"
I spent some time at the Iron Door with some friends on a layover day between river trips. Â We ate in the restaurant, which was so-so and a bit over priced, but at least they "spray for flies." After our dining experience we meandered to our true destination, the saloon. Â The experience began with sober, cautious observation about what a strange species mankind is. Â There are quite a cast of characters frequenting this joint; the one toothed locals and the out-of-town Yosemite visitors provide a unique corral of activity to laugh at. Â I must say that the service in the saloon is amazingly fast, hence the sobriety we carried into the iron door shortly left us and we found ourselves dancing amidst our fellow drunkards unaware that we had joined the strange silly creatures that we had been observing. Â
Good times, but when the iron door slams in your face, those good times, they are costly.
The oldest Saloon in California - they now allow women!
 My Pal Dave an d I jump in the car once a year and drive to Yosemite to hike the Yosemite Falls Trail. The Iron Door is a standard stop on the way home. We have a beer and then go across the street to Cochina's for some mexican. The car always smells GREAT by the time we reach 680.
 The Iron Door is a classic place. incredible atmpsohere and great drinks. Real people work there, and they don't have any dorky "cowboy cups" or a gift shop. Just good food and drink.
 It's worth the stop, even if you just peek in to see it. It's a pretty cool place.
---------------S
Come for the experience and passable food - certainly not for service. Â We'd heard service was fair-to-middling, and it was exactly that. Â Every single item came out cold. Â The food is fine - actually, the sweet potato fries are the best any of us have had anywhere - but don't bring high expectations.
On the other hand, the dollar-pinning tradition is fun, and you'll find plenty of live entertainment.
Iron Door, I love you.
Yosemite prices tend to be about on par with the Bay Area, but I don't think things are expensive here, and for that, I am grateful - especially since I spend my springs/summers with you.
Yes, I'm one of your seasonal stinky river folk who yearn to annihilate the counselors of Tawonga during our Thursday night karaoke rowdiness.
Thank you for existing and keeping my sanity. And I'm sure the other guides echo my sentiment.
And thanks for the strong drinks even when you're busy as hell when the Green Tortoise shows up and the entire place is packed to the gills.
For those of you who don't appreciate the Iron Door, you just don't understand how much of a treasure this place is. The bartenders totally rock my world from April through August, and I will keep passing my tips from the river to you guys, happily.
See you soon. Especially if it's karaoke night and we have a big tip in our pockets.
No love for the Iron Door Saloon! Come'on, this is the oldest continually operated establishment in California-- isn't that something? OK yes, the wait staff is occasionally incompetent and somtimes the kitchen is closed when you want to eat.
But really, this place is the go-to of Groveland and always has live music and a unique atmosphere. Pool, jukebox, and a bar; don't eat in the dining room, but soak up the atmosphere of the saloon area.
And don't forget to bring a dollar bill and a quarter to attempt the tradition of sticking it upon the ceiling-- you'll see!
If you're having lunch at the Iron Door, go for something with ranch dressing. Â The Iron Door serves a MOST EXCELLENT ranch dressing. Â
Otherwise the atmosphere is cold, dark and sticky, the food average and the wait staff collectively almost has the ability to take your order. Â
The soda fountain is closed for the winter and that means no milkshakes for the saloon either. Â I missed some connection in that logic. Â My family has this crazy habit of eating ice cream any old time of the year...and all we need is some milk, ice cream and a blender to make a milkshake. Â But...Okay
I've seen the dollar bills on the ceiling trick before...and maybe that says a little something about me...but I wasn't wowed. Â Hopefully the Iron Door is better after sunset. Â And with copious amounts of alcohol, of course.
I need more of an Iron Door experience. Â Walking in for all of five minutes is not enough. Â Sure I saw the bathroom. Â Sure the bartender looked at us and told us they were no longer serving food when we asked. Â Sure we saw folks dancing to the excellent "small town bar" music on the jukebox. Â Sure people were even throwing their dollar bills at the ceiling.
But five minutes just wasn't enough. Â I won't be satisfied until I've been hit on by an older, drunken local; gotten my own spin around the dancefloor - hopefully to something by Bruce Springsteen because it feels like it fits; and played pool in the back room.
Iron Door - this is not over yet.
This Five Star review is pure nostalgia.
I was working at a summer camp just outside of Yosemite the year I turned 21 - that was, oh... let's not say  half my life ago, but I'll be honest and say it's starting to get close to that.
Some of the locals who were working the camp with me decided to take me out for my first (legal) drink. The took me here.
Don't remember the night very well , because I might have drunk too much, or maybe it was too long ago (here's why I (kinda) told you my age). I do think I ordered a Zombie, though. Some who know me now might find that quite ironic.
This used to be a regular stop for my pals and I on the way to Yosemite or the East Side of the Sierra. Bands on weekends, beer, and food, all at a nice, historic, wooden bar complete with swinging iron doors. We even memorized the following doggerel by Black Bart from the walls of the saloon:
"I've labored long and hard for bread,
For honor and for riches
But on my corns too long you've tread,
You fine-haired sons-of-bitches."
That was then, this is now. Since the good old days, we've seen the prices rise, and the service and quality decline. We've moved on, and I haven't set foot in the Iron Door for years. Â Our new haunt, which I cannot find on Yelp, is the Evergreen Lodge, just outside of the Yosemite gate. Now there's a place that deserves five Yelp stars if there ever was one.
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