| Bell in Hand Tavern | |
|---|---|
 Pictured in 2023 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Street address | 45 Union Street |
| City | Boston |
| Coordinates | 42°21′42″N 71°03′26″W / 42.3617°N 71.0571°W |
Bell in Hand Tavern is a bar located in Boston. It is one of the oldest bars in the United States of America.[1]
History
Tradition has it that the Bell in Hand was established in 1795 by Boston Town Crier, James "Jimmy" Wilson. Its name refers to the bell he used to carry around while doing his job.
Wilson spend his latter years managing the tavern. It quickly became a spot for discussing local news and gossip. Early patrons included political figures such as Daniel Webster. The tavern was originally located near Boston City Hall. It was relocated to Williams Court/Pi Alley, then to 81 Devonshire Street. It is presently located on Union Street.[2][1][3]
Bell in Hand Tavern is believed to be the oldest continuously operating bar in the United States; however, the bar stopped operating during the Prohibition.[2]
References
- 1 2 "10 of the Oldest Bars in America - Virtual Historic Pub Crawl". TheCoolist. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- 1 2 Guide, Boston Discovery. "Historic Boston Bars and Taverns - Boston Discovery Guide". www.boston-discovery-guide.com. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ↑ "The Bell In Hand Tavern". Clio. Retrieved 26 March 2022.