Long Branch Saloon Concept

[HighStepper]

Great VID! I will take credit for its introduction to this site. lmao

You are a long-time fan of Lindsey Stirling. You met her before I did, lol.

[TestMan]

Saloon girls are fun

[HighStepper]

Microsoft AI says:
Certainly! Saloons in the Old West were a central part of American Western culture, from small camps to established towns. Contrary to their depiction in Western movies, life at a saloon was not always filled with fights and cheating at cards. Let's delve into the fascinating history of these iconic establishments:

Origins and Evolution:
The word "saloon" originated as an alternative form of "salon," meaning a large hall in a public place for entertainment. In the United States, it evolved into its present meaning by 1841.
Saloons served a diverse clientele, including fur trappers, cowboys, soldiers, lumberjacks, businessmen, lawmen, outlaws, miners, and gamblers.
By 1880, the growth of saloons was in full swing. For instance, in Leavenworth, Kansas, there were approximately 150 saloons and four wholesale liquor houses.
Some saloons in the Old West were little more than casinos, brothels, and opium dens.
Brewery Associations:
Saloons in the U.S. began to have a close association with breweries in the early 1880s.
Breweries adopted the British "tied-house" system, where they owned saloons outright. Some breweries even built elaborate saloons to attract customers and advertise their beers.
Social Hubs:
Saloons were not just places for drinking and gambling; they also served as social hubs.
People gathered there to share news, discuss business, and connect with others.
Politicians frequented local saloons due to their adaptable social nature.
The Free Lunch Tradition:
Saloons enticed customers with a tradition known as the "free lunch."
Patrons received a meal at no cost with the purchase of at least one drink.
These free lunches were often worth more than the price of a single drink, and the saloon-keepers relied on customers buying more than one drink.
Prohibition and Decline:
Beginning in 1893, the Anti-Saloon League protested against American saloons.
The league lobbied at all levels of government for legislation to prohibit the manufacture or import of spirits, beer, and wine.
Nationwide prohibition was locked into the Constitution with the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1920, but it was later repealed in 1933.
In summary, saloons were vibrant, multifaceted establishments that played a significant role in shaping the culture and social fabric of the Old West.