Ah. Fall is in the air. As our Lake Havasu weather begins to cool off (meaning temperatures in the 90s instead of 100+), it's a great time to explore the surrounding desert land. If your travels take you towards Parker, let me recommend a great pit stop in the middle of virtually nowhere: the Desert Bar. As of October 3rd, it is open for business.
The Desert Bar
Talk about an oasis in the desert! The Desert Bar sits on the site that once housed a copper mining camp. Unfortunately, any remnant of the old mining camp disappeared well before the bar came along. But, the owners of the bar pay tribute to it with recycled art and a design that evokes the feel of the old west. In fact, a charming rustic church facade occupies the grounds. displayed on its walls are the names of the people that donated money to help build it.
This bar runs strictly on solar power. Everything used or sold here must be trekked in. Therefore, it only stays open from noon to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only. The only exception to this rule is Thanksgiving weekend, which also happens to be the biggest weekend of the season. On that weekend, the bar is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. When New Year's Eve falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the bar stays open well into the night to ring in the new year. Unfortunately for this year (2020), it falls on a weekday. So, no dice for a New Year's Eve party in the desert. Live music plays every weekend from 1 pm to 5 pm.
Cash Only, Please
The bar serves beer and mixed drinks. On the menu, you'll find such gourmet fare are hot dogs, chili dogs, hamburgers (including a veggie option for our vegetarian friends), chips, and fries. Hold the cheese, though. You won't find a slice of American, Swiss, Provolone, or any other dairy selection on-site. Since the Desert Bar is so remote, credit card readers are a "no go". Therefore, you must make sure you bring some cash with you.
How to Get There
Plan on offroading for the day? Start off at the Gas Market & Boat/RV Storage located between MM 156 and 155 on Hwy 95. It's easy to spot. Just keep an eye out for the giant chicken roosting on the roof. Take the road going into the canyon. In approximately 0.3 mile, turn left at the information kiosk. Carefully travel up the hill for about 0.7 mile until you see a sign that says HS 245. Then, turn right. At the next fork in the road, you can either go up a steep hill (on the left) or around the bottom of the hill (on the right). About 1.3 miles after that, you will find a rocky wash. Just stay on the clearly established route to the south for about 3.3 miles. This takes you to a narrow rocky road. Be very careful here. In about four miles, you will see yet another information kiosk. From there, go left at the fork. If you see the sign marked "Gray Eagle Mine Trail", you're almost there. In fact, the saloon should be visible off in the distance. Stay on the winding trail through the wash. Go about 5.2 miles until you come to a T in the road. Take a right and follow the trail for about 5.3 more miles. Then, you should be right in the Desert Bar's parking lot.
Feeling a little less adventurous? Take SR95 towards Parker. Exit at Cienega Springs Road. Follow the road all the way to the end. I still highly suggest you bring something that can handle rough terrain and includes four-wheel or all-wheel drive. You're going to get a little dirty.
Visit any of my Lake Havasu real estate sites below for more information on the Havasu market:
Liz Sells Lake Havasu
Homes for Sale in Havasu
Havasu Area Homes
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Originally posted on my Lake Havasu real estate blog here: https://havasuareahomes.com/the-desert-bar-in-havasu-is-open-for-business/.
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