After talking with Kat Deeds, the general manager at the Mint Bar, there are a few fun things to share with you all that you may not know about the historic icon! Did you know that the brands burned into the wood beams were created by a man named Tuffy who was paid in whiskey to create the designs? The oldest photo hanging in the bar is from 1908 and is located above the elk on the wall. Speaking of photos, the photographs on the wall will never change, they are grandfathered into the purchase agreement of the bar. Kat loves the stories of the bar, the people, and the memories. She loves to chat with visitors about the history of the bar when asked and she enjoys sharing her knowledge. Neat fact: The famous neon has been lit since the 50s and has been voted one of the top neon signs in the country!
Kat said, “Come to The Mint because the bar is as much a museum as a bar and a big part of our town’s history.” She suggests coming to The Mint Bar twice during your visit – once during the day so you can see everything and once at night to see the change in the atmosphere. “I love the bar for what it represents for itself and the history. I love that it brings people together.” Kat stated. “You see people meeting for the first time, so many love stories have started here. People come here to celebrate and to mourn. You get to meet people from all over the world! You never know who will walk in here.”