Palace Restaurant & Saloon is Arizona’s oldest frontier saloon and a working American steakhouse at 120 S Montezuma Street on Historic Whiskey Row in downtown Prescott, Arizona. Originally opened in September 1877 by D. C. Thorne and quickly frequented by Virgil and Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and competitive rodeo legend Junior Bonner (portrayed on location here by Steve McQueen in the 1971 Sam Peckinpah film Junior Bonner), the saloon survived the Great Whiskey Row Fire of July 14, 1900, when patrons carried its hand-carved 1880s Brunswick bar across Montezuma Street to the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. Rebuilt in brick and ornamental ironwork by July 1901 as the Hotel Burke and Palace Saloon, the landmark today draws history buffs and diners for prime steaks, burgers, an extensive whiskey library, and servers dressed in late-19th-century Victorian frontier attire.
What to Expect at Palace Restaurant & Saloon
Stepping through the swinging wooden doors on Montezuma Street places visitors directly inside the 1901 Neoclassical Revival dining room, featuring pressed-tin ceilings, swinging chandeliers, historic frontier murals, and the original 24-foot Brunswick cherrywood backbar shipped by rail and wagon from Brunswick-Balke-Collender in the 1880s. Waitstaff and bartenders wear period vests, bowties, and bustle skirts, adding to the frontier ambiance without turning the room into a theme park. Beyond the main saloon floor and wooden booths, the venue includes a covered rear courtyard patio and the Jersey Lilly Saloon upstairs.
The kitchen operates separate lunch and dinner menus centered on hand-cut steaks, prime rib, gourmet burgers, and hearty saloon starters. Appetizers include Stampede Steak Bites ($16.00) with grated Parmesan and tangy dipping sauce, Grilled Prawns Prosciutto ($20.00) wrapped in basil and Dijon vinaigrette, Wild West Wings ($18.00), Crispy Sprouts & Pancetta ($16.00), and beer-battered Jackalope Jumbo Onion Rings ($14.00). Main courses span ribeyes, New York strips, filet mignon, slow-roasted prime rib, baby back ribs, and half-pound saloon burgers, backed by one of Arizona’s largest curated whiskey, bourbon, and rye lists alongside local Arizona draft beers and classic cocktails.
- 1880s Hand-Carved Brunswick Bar: The original ornate cherrywood bar rescued by bucket-brigade patrons during the 1900 Whiskey Row fire, complete with brass foot rails and mirrored columns.
- Signature Saloon Appetizers & Steaks: Crowd-pleasing starters such as Stampede Steak Bites ($16) and Grilled Prawns Prosciutto ($20) followed by hand-cut ribeyes, prime rib, and hickory-smoked ribs.
- Victorian Frontier Costumed Service: Servers and bartenders dressed in authentic 1880s Western saloon attire who share stories of Doc Holliday, the Earp brothers, and the 1900 fire.
- Statewide Whiskey & Bourbon Selection: A deep spirits list featuring small-batch American bourbons, single-barrel ryes, Scotch whiskies, and house frontier cocktails served at the historic bar.
- Covered Courtyard Patio & Special Events: A relaxed back patio for mild high-country afternoons, plus periodic Murder Mystery dinner theater nights and Frontier Days celebrations.
Palace Restaurant & Saloon at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 S Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86303 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Historic Whiskey Row / Downtown Prescott |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Thu: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Fri–Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Sun: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | $$ (Appetizers $14–$20; Burgers & Sandwiches $16–$22; Steaks & Mains $26–$48) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1 to 2 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Granite Street Parking Garage (135 S Granite St, 1 block west) & metered street parking along Montezuma and Goodwin Streets |
| Official Website & Phone | thepalacerestaurantandsaloon.com | +1 928-541-1996 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Because the Palace is the centerpiece of Whiskey Row, Friday and Saturday evenings—as well as World’s Oldest Rodeo week over the Fourth of July and Courthouse Lighting in December—fill up days in advance. Online table reservations can be booked directly through the official Palace Restaurant & Saloon website, though walk-in seating is always kept open at the historic bar and for weekday lunches between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Free and low-cost multi-level parking is located one block west at the Granite Street Parking Garage (135 S Granite St), which connects to Montezuma Street via a pedestrian walkway. The main street-level entrance off Montezuma Street is step-free and wheelchair accessible, with wide central aisles between the dining booths and accessible restrooms on the ground floor.
Directly across the street sits the tree-shaded Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, anchored by Solon Borglum’s 1907 Rough Rider Equestrian Monument. Within a five-minute walk, travelers can tour the Sharlot Hall Museum (415 W Gurley St), which preserves the 1864 Territorial Governor’s Mansion, or browse Western art galleries and boutiques lining Gurley, Cortez, and Goodwin Streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours and best times to visit Palace Restaurant & Saloon?
The Palace Restaurant & Saloon is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For the shortest wait and best daylight view of the carved 1880s Brunswick backbar, arrive for weekday lunch at 11:00 AM or mid-afternoon between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM.
How much does dining cost and are reservations required?
Starters range from $14 to $20 (such as $16 Stampede Steak Bites and $14 Jackalope Jumbo Onion Rings), lunch burgers and sandwiches average $16 to $22, and dinner steaks and prime rib run $26 to $48. Walk-ins are welcome daily, but advance online reservations are strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday dinners and holiday weekends.
How much time should I budget for a visit to the Palace?
Plan to spend 60 to 90 minutes for lunch or a casual drink and appetizer at the historic Brunswick bar, or 1.5 to 2 hours for a full multi-course steak dinner. Give yourself an extra 15 minutes to inspect the historic frontier photographs, bullet-scarred woodwork, and memorabilia displayed along the walls.
Is the Palace Restaurant & Saloon family-friendly and wheelchair accessible?
Yes, unlike 21-and-over bars on Whiskey Row, the Palace operates as a full-service restaurant where families and children are welcome in the main dining room and rear courtyard patio during lunch and dinner hours. The Montezuma Street entrance, main saloon dining floor, and restrooms are step-free and wheelchair accessible.
When planning your Prescott travel guide or comparing verified attractions and restaurants in Prescott, pair this stop with standout local spots including Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, Raven Cafe, BiGA., and Whiskey Row Penthouse (nearby).
