Bucket of Blood Saloon

In the old time, welcoming, small time, historical Virginia City experience, go have a drink at the Bucket of Blood.
We were there during the day on a Wednesday in January (low season). It was a great spot to drink a local beer, investigate the historical pictures, cool lamp structures and silver pieces about the bar. The have one Tiffany lamp to be found and lots of pickle castors that are beautiful and interesting. We talked to the bar tender about the history and stories of town and such.
Bar is tall ceilinged, bright with natural light and smoke free (although 50 years ago, I am sure none of this could be said for any establishment in the area. LOL!). I am sure in the bust summer months, this place can be music filled, packed with tourists and would have a different feel.
They have no food or a least in January they do not. So go for a drink and then move on for a meal.

Everything about this place is AWESOME. Love the Wild West– and this place IS the Wild West. Their drinks are great & cheap! Bartenders are awesome. And that view is AMAZING. I’ll always come back here for a drink whenever I am in the area.

Such s cool place with alot of history. The t shirts are $ 22 bucks for men’s size but they are so cool I wish I had another one.
I will visit again and pick up a few.

You can’t come all the way to Virginia City and not visit a famous saloon like Bucket of Blood. There is lot’s to look at and fun overpriced merchandise for tourists to buy!
We enjoyed a lemonade, a look out at the view, the people watching and taking in all of the relics while there!

Love this place. We make it a point to come every time we are in Virginia City. Great atmosphere, friendly people. Great drinks and free popcorn! Sit by the scenic window if you can!

The bartender was real friendly and loved the Bloody Marys. The décor is old western with a lot of people dressed up in old west garb for the tourists. They had a good live band there when we were there.

Cold drinks! Friendly staff! Fun atmosphere! Good music! What more could a person want!!!

This is one of the BEST saloons on the planet, especially during Street Vibes in September (just check out the pictures to see what’s up).
Friendly staff.
Spectacular band.
Cold beers, although they did run out of Blue Moon, which in my opinion, should NEVER happen. I’m sure they’ll be better prepared for next year.
Good times in the Comstock!!!

Among all the tourist trap saloons in Virginia City, this is my favorite. I don’t know why. Is it because whenever I’m here there seems to be a drunk band on stage? Is it because striking up a conversation with a total stranger here ends up with hysterical laughter or a side-​eyed «WTF HELP ME» look to your companions? Is it because once my friend from Ireland and I dared each other to put in $ 20 each into slot machines to see who would win money? (He won $ 1 back, I won $ 45; but I was sneaky and let him put his money first, then I played the same machine and won. I bought him a whiskey to shut him up).
Don’t forget to step outside to the parking lot and take a pic of the Bucket of Blood logo painted on the side of the building. It’s great!

When you come to Virginia City, heck when you come to Tahoe or Reno you need to get up to the Bucket of Blood Saloon! It’s a unique place providing a window to the past of this historic city. It dates from 1875 – 76 and is said to be the oldest in Virginia City.
It’s a regular full service bar but since I don’t drink I had a delicious soda, haha! However people were saying they are known for their Bloody Mary’s and a full bar. They do not have draft beer so my buddy had a «Bucket of Blood IPA » which is brewed in Nevada. He said it was good.
We were there on the Labor Day weekend and the town was pretty busy. While there a band was setting up but we couldn’t stay to listen. There is also a dance floor.
The town has a lot of local people dressed in western costume that walk up and down the boardwalk streets and into the businesses. We were talking with a «sheriff » but don’t worry they carry blanks, not live ammo! The people in costume were enjoying themselves as much as they tourists. Don’t be shy ask to take a picture with them. In addition to just chatting they are a wealth of historical information on Virginia City.
There’s always free popcorn, they do sell T-​shirts and a lot of other Bucket of Blood souvenirs.
Be sure to go to the back of the bar and look out the large window. You can see a lot of history just by looking. A lot of the old mines are visible from the window.
While it is a bar kids are allowed when it’s not crazy busy. However I would not recommend bringing them when it’s super crowded or during any one of the numerous events at Virginia City. It’s too crazy. However when my buddy and I were there a dad had two little ones in two and they sat with the piano player and everyone had a good time. He left right after buying some souvenir t-​shirts.
It’s a fun place so be sure to check it out on your next Reno/​Tahoe visit!

Just stopped in here today to use the facilities. We came up to show my nieces the old western town of Virginia City.
In an attempt to save the «old west» environment, the bars are big and dark and old. Some have «museum areas,» and gift shops. They had a lot of tables, but apparently no table service. Although others bars had no table service either.
Once again, I’ve been here over 20 years ago when I was taken as a tourist to see the town. I remember my mother sending us a picture way back in the 50s when she was brought up here when she was visiting. So it’s been around a long time.
I actually hope they stay around even longer, While it is very touristy, it’s kind of quaint. This was once a rough mining town, so don’t expect champagne and caviar.

Oh the bucket! This is a must every time I go to VC! The décor is eclectic and historical! The staff is always friendly! The entertainment is always the best in Virginia city! The view is INSANE! The bathrooms are clean (ish)! And they offer free popcorn! Jackpot! The only downside to this bar is that it’s to popular! On a busy afternoon, it could be hard to get a seat. But really, that just points out how good of a bar this place is!
I’ve been coming here as long as I can remember! My dad would always take me here to get sarsaparilla (kind of root beer… get it!) and popcorn, then we would get the table by the window and look out at the 7(I think 7, but could be a different number) mile view! So now every time I go, I have to do the same! I love it!
If there’s a band playing, get ready for a good time!!! The locals will be there in old style garb, ready to dance and have a great time! Yes, you might get asked to dance, yes you should go dance! It’s so much fun to get twirled around the dance floor! I promise, it’s not that hard to pick up the old style of dance!
If you are searching for a true VC experience, or just want to have a great time! This is the place you need to go! There is a reason it’s been around forever!!!

My friend and I stopped in here a few years back. While my hubby and I were visiting I thought we should stop in.
I love the atmosphere! The banjo and piano music really completes the scene.
I had a Bloody Mary — hubby had a beer– both good.
The patch I bought cost $ 8– but its nice.
Definitely worth a round of drinks while in VC.

Always a great time at the Bucket of Blood. Used to live in Minden, NV and would drive to Virginia City often. My parents would also take us kids to Virginia City growing up. Always a great place to spend the day…

Historic place with great tasting bloody marys!
This place is a landmark and a tourist attraction for sure. Right in the middle of Virginia City, I can easily see how this place has been so popular with tourist for many years. Not a big fan of the over priced T-​shirts ($ 30-​$ 40). I’m sure they sell a couple a week.
I’ll for sure be back for another round of bloody Marys for sure!

Definitely a must stop when in Virginia City, especially if you’re looking for a Blood Mary! We stopped in before the last Taste of the Comstock to enjoy a liquid breakfast. For an event starting soon, there weren’t too many people in there. The Blood Mary’s are great, one of the better ones I’ve had. I had when the mix is too watery, and this definitely isn’t.
We also stopped in after the event. There was a band playing and the crowd had definitely picked up. While bands are playing, there is a one drink minimum per set. This includes sodas as well as alcoholic drinks. It was a fun band to watch, but a little difficult to find a table for our group of 6 near the front of the room since there were so many other people.
Be sure to take sometime to look at the old artifacts around the entire bar — there’s a lot of cool stuff!

Interesting VC spot
You walk in off the wooden plank sidewalk into another time Just like an old western movie or the set of the show Bonanza. Heck even some of the patrons at the tables are dressed like it was 1864. And where else in the world does half the patrons have a loaded six shooter on their hip?
Belly up to the bar for a Great Bloody Mary or a beer. No fancy smancy drink concoction here. Good stuff drinks like the cowboys were meant to have at a decent price. And for those of us who are the designated driver back down that windy road, there’s a mighty fine sarsaparilla.
Check ahead to be sure there is a band playing and you won’t be disappointed. We spent an hour enjoying a local cowboy band belt out some great old favorites and some newer songs. These guys look like they just got done filming a John Wayne movie, but had a sound that you just had to stay and listen to for hours. I haven’t seen a steel guitar in years, add a few harmonicas and a mandolin– wow what a sound.
Next trip up to Virginia City save some time to check out the Bucket of Blood

My Carson City friend brought me here late afternoon on Christmas Eve, as the other stores and restaurants in Virginia City were closing for the holiday. The weather had gone from light rain to the dreaded «wintry mix», and we were grateful for the warmth and shelter provided by this historic saloon.
There were only a few people at the bar and three tables occupied — Christmas Eve is not the busiest time for this place! My friend pointed out the stage and the sign that said «Comstock Cowboys» — she’s been several times for dancing and music, but I was there at the wrong time for that.
Still, the bar was bright and cheery. Since said fried was driving us back to Carson City, she had a cup of tea, but I had something called a Nutty Irishman. I’m not sure what kind of alcohol was in it, but this coffee-​based drink was really good.
The only thing I didn’t like about this place was the number of slot machines scattered about. I suppose it’s inevitable in tourist-​town Nevada, but it sure took away from the ambiance.
Our visit was brief, but I was favorably impressed. I’d visit Bucket of Blood again, and I recommend it to you.

This place is awesome! When I go to Virginia City I feel like I’m in a different world. The Bucket Of Blood Saloon tops it off. There’s just something about that old fashioned country that calls for a Bloody Mary. You can’t go to the bucket of blood and NOT get a Bloody Mary. Holy cow… their bloodies are delicious! Perfect amount of spices, I loved the fact the they used coarse black pepper. They are topped off with a lemon and a green bean.
I highly recommend coming here. Only down fall was there were kids running around and there were signs that you couldn’t leave the bar with your drink. Darn kids! It would have been much more enjoyable if they weren’t running around bumping chairs.
Oh yeah. FREE POPCORN! Woohoo!

For many years I’ve visted the bucket of blood saloon and had a bloody mary every time I rolled through Virginia City. It was a quaint experience, watching people trot by in dusty hoops skirts.
Sadly the clothing is not the only antiquated thing about the bucket of blood. Last time I was in there, the bartender threw out a shirtless man– in costume for the Reno-​Tahoe Oddyssey relay– and called him a faggot. I will never patronize a business that employs people like this. I was aghast and truly disgusted.