This wild off-grid Arizona bar is closing soon, and it's 5 miles down a dirt road
This wild off-grid Arizona bar is closing soon, and it's 5 miles down a dirt road
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The Desert Bar: How this remote Arizona watering hole became a destination
Ken Coughlin, the owner of The Desert Bar near Parker, talks about the bar's start and how it has grown in the last 40 years.
Mark Henle, The Republic
The Desert Bar, snuggled in a remote corner of western Arizona, isn't your average watering hole.
It's solar-powered, it's off-grid, and it's miles down a dirt road in a canyon. And like a true desert mirage, it won't be around much longer.
The outdoor bar, also known as the Nellie E Saloon, closes every summer due to the heat. The bar said in an April 6 Facebook post that the last day to visit until fall will be Sunday, April 27. The comment in the post didn't give an opening date, but it's usually early October. The Desert Bar reopened for this season on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
So, if you've been meaning to sip a cold one while surrounded by cacti, old mining relics, and live tunes, better hit that dusty trail soon.
Here's how to visit the Desert Bar in Parker.
What bar is in the middle of the desert in AZ?
The Desert Bar is 5 miles down a rugged dirt road in the mountains north of Parker, Arizona.
How to get to the Desert Bar in Parker?
Parker is about 155 miles northwest of Phoenix. From Parker, head north on State Route 95 for about 5 miles, then turn right onto Cienega Springs Road. This unpaved road stretches for another 5 miles to the Desert Bar.
Can you drive a car to the Desert Bar?
Cienega Springs Road to Desert Bar is unpaved and in reasonably good condition, with some dips and washboard sections. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, although the road is usually passable for carefully driven cars. (Think twice if yours is very low slung.)
Desert Bar (Nellie E Saloon)
When: Noon-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, closed on weekdays. Its last day until fall is Sunday, April 27, 2025.
Where: Off State Route 95 and Cienega Springs Road in Parker.
Cash only: The Desert Bar doesn't accept credit or debit cards.
Details: facebook.com.
Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.
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