Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon

Nevada’s oldest hotel also hosts one of its most authentic bars.

Just south of Virginia City (like a little over 1 mile south), tiny Gold Hill packs a big historical punch. While there is no shortage of saloons on The Comstock, make sure to put the Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon on your libation dance card. Although one historical marker says the property dates to 1859, local historians agree it was fully open as the Riesen House by 1861, which dates back to the Civil War era. Either way, that’s long enough in the past to make this Comstock building the oldest hotel in Nevada.

Sagebrush Saloons

Entering the bar is a bit like walking into a large mine. Its walls are made of granite and old railroad pillars, and an uneven brick floor leads to a bar that seats around a dozen patrons with a couple tables rounding out the space. The ceiling holds hundreds of dollar bills tacked up by previous patrons, most with some clever(ish) notes left behind for pseudo-posterity. The wellstocked bar has one TV above it as if some sense of modern times needed to be injected into the sublimely rustic atmosphere.

A tasty meal is available at the Crown Point Restaurant a few steps away, but the saloon also has its own small menu with appetizers and pub fare such as burgers, tacos, and pizzas. Outside, a small patio with tables is the perfect place to watch the sun go down.

The Gold Hill bar is where The Comstock miners whiled away the hours more than 150 years ago, swapping tales of their days in the mines and laughing at the latest quaint from “The Territorial Enterprise.” You’re invited to step back in time for your own Sagebrush Saloon adventure.

The Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon is the perfect getaway. The only full-service property in the entire Comstock National Historic District is your one-stop shop for an awesome bar, delicious restaurant, and comfy (maybe haunted?) overnight stay.

Uncommon Overnighters

It’s no secret that Nevada offers worldrenowned hospitality at lavish resort-casinos and cozy roadside hotels. But elsewhere in the Silver State, our perks are also our quirks. If, instead, you’re looking for a vacation that’s irresistibly different, Nevada’s array of unique retreats and unusual accommodations have got you covered.