There's a Secret Bar in California's Redwood Forest — and the Only Way to Get There Is by Vintage Train
This is a rare instance where the journey is just as cool as the destination.
You can now toast to Mother Nature while sipping your favorite cocktail in the middle of one of Earth's most beautiful forests.
In 2022, the Glen Blair Bar opened its doors in the middle of a redwood grove in northern California’s Mendocino County. And the only way to get there is via a train ride through a fantastic landscape.
Will Patterson/Courtesy of Mendocino Railway
Guests looking to kick back at Glen Blair Bar, a spot previously only used for special events, can hop aboard the Skunk Train. It's a vintage train that’s been running since 1885, which goes from the Skunk Train Depot in Fort Bragg, California, right to the outdoor bar.
The train schedules several departures starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, taking guests on a lovely sunset ride through Pudding Creek, under the canopy of the majestic trees for a breathtaking 25-minute ride. At the end of the journey, guests are greeted with a magical scene of twinkling lights, live music, and plenty of fun and games.
Brian Klonoski/Courtesy of Mendocino Railway
Courtesy of Mendocino Railway
Beyond the wine, beer, and cocktails on offer, guests can also pre-purchase charcuterie plates for two — including a meat and cheese option or a salmon and cheese option — to have something to nosh on in between corn hole matches with their fellow bar-goers. There are even a limited number of train tickets available for pups to come and enjoy a night out, too. (Though Glen Blair Bar does ask that only “well-behaved” dogs be invited out for the fun.)
While the train and bar are planning to operate year-round thanks to its plentiful firepits and outdoor heaters, the team recommends visiting in the fall, when the weather is at its best and the foliage is out. Plus, it has two seasonal events: a cornhole tournament on Oct. 16 and a Halloween party on Oct. 28.
The train is reserved for adults of drinking age only, so only get a ticket if you’re 21 years old or older. Round-trip tickets cost $49.95 per person — there’s a discount for locals during special events. The last train departs at 10:30 p.m., giving everyone an equally stunning star-lit journey on the way back too. See more about the train and the bar, and book your ticket at skunktrain.com.
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