In an area dating back to 1864, there’s a new sheriff in town.
Or actually, a new bar along famous Whiskey Row in Prescott, AZ. It’s Fire & Sword, which is not a saloon like so many other joints here but a speakeasy inside the Hotel St. Michael.
Fire & Sword is in a place that has quite a bit of local history. The Hotel St. Michael is on the site of the old Burke hotel, Prescott’s “only fireproof hotel,” which burned in “The Great Fire” of 1900 that destroyed much of Whiskey Row. Legend has it that loyal bar patrons hauled out whiskey and poker tables to the town square during the fire. Fire & Sword contains the original brick walls with vintage copper ceilings. An underground tunnel once connected the neighboring courthouse to the bar during Prohibition. It is inspired by the Archangel Michael, protector and namesake of Hotel St. Michael, who is depicted wielding a flaming sword in traditional lore, guarding against future calamities.
“We’re thrilled to reopen Fire & Sword speakeasy, an experience that authentically honors the town’s Whiskey Row and prohibition history,” shares Regina Kilmer, General Manager of Hotel St. Michael. “This speakeasy is not only a nod to the resilience and spirit of our community but is also a celebration of timeless hospitality. We’ve preserved the historic character of the space while introducing a modern, vibrant atmosphere that invites guests to create new memories in an unforgettable setting.”
Drinks include names that fit the area and its history, including the Royal Flush Martini and The Honest Opinion. The bar also serves local craft beers and wines.
Prescott’s Whiskey Row once had some 40 saloons – the number is far less today – and was a haven for Western gunslingers. Wyatt Earp, his brother Virgil and Doc Holliday of the Gunfight at the OK Corral fame tossed back drinks at The Palace Restaurant and Saloon, which still operates today and is the oldest business in Arizona dating back to 1877.
You can even watch gunslingers duel in the streets during the town’s Annual Shootout every July.
Fire & Sword has live music on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and is located at 100 S Montezuma St.
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