Some buildings in old mining towns get turned into gift shops, and some just keep doing the same job they started doing more than a century ago. In the small mountain town of Roslyn, Washington, one corner spot has been serving guests since 1889, and it still has a few surprises that most modern places would never dare to keep.
There is a long trough under the bar with water running through it, a big wood stove for winter days, and a famous role in a 1990s TV show. Keep reading to learn the story, the quirks, the hours, and the smart tips that will help you plan a stop worth the detour.
A Corner Address in Old Coal Country
Roslyn sits tucked in the Cascade foothills of Kittitas County, a former coal town that never lost its old bones. Right in the middle of it stands The Brick Saloon, at 100 W Pennsylvania Ave, Roslyn, WA 98941, United States.
The building is exactly what the name promises. It is a brick pub on a quiet downtown corner, and it has been holding down that spot for well over a century.
Most people find it while crossing the state on Interstate 90. The town is only about ten minutes off the freeway, which makes it an easy pause between Seattle and the eastern side of Washington.
Calling it just a pub would be selling it short, though. The place is part restaurant, part music venue, and part working museum, all wrapped into one room that still uses fixtures from another era.
The menu sticks to classic pub fare, the drink list is long, and the history is everywhere you look. Even the bar itself has a story, but that one deserves its own section.
For now, just know the address, because the GPS will do the hard part. The rest of this guide covers what happens once the front door swings open.
Open for Business Since 1889
Grover Cleveland was finishing his first term when this saloon first opened its doors. That was 1889, the same year Washington became a state.
The Brick has been operating ever since, and many fans call it the oldest saloon in Washington. That is a big title for a building on a small-town corner, but it carries it well.
Back then, Roslyn was a busy coal mining community. Workers came from many countries to dig in the nearby mines, and the town grew quickly around them.
A place like this was where those workers gathered after long shifts. It was a meeting spot, a social hub, and a little slice of comfort in a tough line of work.
What makes the history so fun today is that it is not hidden behind glass. The walls, the floors, and the long bar are still in daily use.
Plenty of guests spend part of their visit just looking around. Old photos and vintage details give the room a story-filled feel that a new building simply cannot copy.
The year on the sign is not a marketing trick. It is the real starting point of a very long run.
Roslyn, the Town Around the Saloon
Small towns sometimes feel like a side note to the main attraction. Roslyn flips that idea, because the town itself is half the reason to come.
The streets are lined with older buildings, and the setting is rustic in the best way. Forested hills rise around the edges, giving the whole place a tucked-away mountain mood.
Road trippers tend to arrive expecting a quick stop. Many leave wishing they had planned more time to walk around and explore the area.
The saloon works as a natural anchor for that kind of wandering. Grab a table, have a meal, and then head out on foot to see the rest of downtown.
Roslyn is compact, so getting around is simple. A short stroll covers the main blocks, which is handy after a big lunch.
The town also has a pop culture claim to fame that brings fans from all over. That connection ties directly back to the brick building on the corner.
So before heading back to the freeway, it is worth giving the town an hour. The saloon is the star, but Roslyn makes a pretty good supporting cast.
A Starring Role on Northern Exposure
Fans of 1990s television may feel a jolt of recognition on arrival. Roslyn was the filming location for Northern Exposure, the quirky series set in a fictional Alaska town.
The Brick played a big part in that. The building was used for exterior shots on the show, so its front has appeared on countless TV screens.
For some travelers, this place has sat on a bucket list for years. Finally sitting down inside it feels like stepping onto a set that happens to be real.
Show fans often make a mini tour of the town. The saloon and the well-known mural down the street are the two most recognizable sites tied to the series.
Even people who never watched an episode can enjoy the connection. It adds a fun layer to a building that already has more than a century of stories.
A photo out front is pretty much required. Just be ready to wait a moment, since other fans tend to have the same idea.
History brings some people here, and Hollywood brings others. Either way, they all end up at the same tables.
The Famous Running Water Spittoon
Few bars in America can claim a feature like this one. Along the base of the long bar runs a spittoon trough, and water still flows through it.
It is the most talked-about detail in the whole building. Back in the mining days, it was a practical setup for a room full of tobacco-chewing workers.
Today it is a conversation starter. Guests lean over to look at it, snap photos, and ask staff how it works.
The bar itself is a step-up design, and many people describe it as beautiful. Paired with the trough, it gives the room a true Old West look without any staging.
The quirks do not stop there. The restrooms keep some old-timey features too, including trough-style fixtures that tend to surprise first-timers.
None of this feels like a theme park version of history. It is simply what the building has always had, kept in working order.
Plenty of places hang an old sign on the wall and call themselves historic. Here, the history literally runs under your feet, and that is hard to beat.
Wood Stove Season
Winter in the Cascade foothills can be long and snowy. That is exactly when the big wood stove inside the saloon takes center stage.
When the staff stokes the fire, the whole room takes on a mountain cabin mood. Regulars often say this is their favorite time of year to come in.
A stove like this fits the building perfectly. It feels like a link to the days when heating a room meant hauling in wood by hand.
Lunch or dinner during the colder months makes a strong case for itself. Ski trips and snowy drives over the pass pair nicely with a warm stop in town.
The stove is not just decoration either. It does real work on chilly days, and it gives the room a natural gathering point.
Groups tend to linger longer when the fire is going. There is something about a wood stove that makes people forget to check the time.
Summer visits have their own appeal, of course. Still, anyone choosing between seasons might want to circle a winter weekend on the calendar.
Live Music After Dark
Quiet afternoons are only half the picture. As evening rolls in, the saloon often turns into a small live music venue.
Live music is one of the things people mention most about the place. It fits naturally into a room that has hosted gatherings for well over a century.
Friday and Saturday nights are the late ones, with doors open until 1 AM. Those are the evenings when the room usually has the most energy.
The setup keeps things casual. You come for a meal, stay for a set, and maybe end up chatting with the table next to you.
Locals and travelers mix easily in this kind of setting. Music gives everyone something in common, even if they arrived from opposite ends of the state.
Schedules can change, so checking the official website before a trip is a smart move. That way, a planned night out does not turn into a surprise quiet evening.
For travelers staying overnight in the area, a music night adds a second reason to come back after dinner. Few small towns offer a stage with this much backstory.
A Menu That Keeps It Simple
Nobody needs a dictionary to read this menu. The kitchen sticks to classic American pub fare and keeps the list straightforward.
Portions are a big part of the appeal. Plates tend to arrive hot and generous, and plenty of people walk out without room for dessert.
Prices stay reasonable for a place with this much history. Appetizers run around $10, and entrees usually land between $16 and $20.
Guests often call the food a good value. That matters in a town that sees a lot of road trip traffic and hungry families.
Like any busy kitchen, it has its off days. Some meals come out a little uneven, and occasional order mix-ups happen during rushes.
Overall, though, the menu does its job well. It gives people solid, filling options that match the relaxed mood of the room.
There is also a weekly Tuesday special that draws a crowd. It is worth asking about if your trip lands early in the week.
Fancy plating is not the point here. Hearty meals in a historic room are, and on that front the kitchen delivers.
Mocktails Worth Ordering
Here is a twist few expect from an 1889 saloon. The drink menu includes several thoughtful mocktails for guests who want something special without the usual pub fare.
One standout is the Speelyi Beach Cooler. It mixes pineapple, lime, pandan, coconut cream, and sparkling coconut water.
Guests who skip traditional drinks, including expecting moms and designated drivers, often appreciate having real choices. A plain soda is fine, but a crafted option makes the visit feel more complete.
The broader drink list is famously long. Many people describe the variety as nearly endless, with plenty of interesting picks to browse.
That range means mixed groups are easy to please. Everyone at the table can find something that suits them.
Prices on drinks are also friendly for the area. It is one more way the place keeps things welcoming for travelers on a budget.
Old buildings can still learn new tricks, and this menu proves it. The mocktail list is a small detail, but it shows the saloon is paying attention to modern guests.
The People Behind the Counter
A building can only do so much on its own. The staff carry the rest, and at The Brick they tend to do it with a lot of hustle.
Many guests describe the team as fast, friendly, and efficient. Some say they were treated like regulars on their very first visit.
Celebrations get special care too. Families marking holidays like Father’s Day have felt like they were the only table in the room.
Busy nights still go smoothly more often than not. Servers keep a positive attitude even when the dining room fills up.
It is fair to mention that not every visit is perfect. During rushes, service can slow down, and a few guests have dealt with mixed-up orders or a stressed server.
Billing questions after a kitchen mistake have also caused some frustration. Speaking up early, before eating a dish you did not order, can help avoid that kind of mix-up.
Overall, the crew earns a lot of goodwill. Plenty of people happily leave a solid tip, saying the team works hard for it.
Who Will Love It Most
History buffs are an easy first pick. Few places let you sit inside a working 1889 saloon with its original quirks still in action.
TV fans come in a close second. Northern Exposure loyalists get to tick off one of the most recognizable spots from the series.
Road trippers on I-90 make up a big share of the crowd. The short detour fits nicely into a long drive and breaks up the miles.
Couples and small groups will find a cheerful, casual setting. The mood is friendly rather than fussy, so nobody needs to dress up.
Families stopping for lunch can make it work too, especially earlier in the day. Afternoons, like a quiet Tuesday, tend to be calmer than weekend evenings.
Anyone with mobility concerns should plan carefully, though. Because the building is so old, stairs and walkways are uneven in spots.
Music lovers will want to aim for a weekend night. That is when the late hours and live sets bring out a livelier crowd.
In short, the room has space for a wide mix of guests. It just helps to pick the right time for your style.
Hours, Costs, and Parking Tips
Good planning makes a short stop even better. The saloon is open seven days a week, which makes timing fairly easy.
Monday through Thursday, hours run from 11:30 AM to 10 PM. Friday also opens at 11:30 AM but stays open until 1 AM.
Saturday starts a bit earlier at 11 AM and runs until 1 AM. Sunday opens at 11 AM and closes at 10 PM.
Budget-wise, appetizers sit around $10. Entrees generally fall between $16 and $20, which is reasonable for generous portions.
Parking is on the street, and it is paid. That rule comes from the town, so having a payment method ready saves a little hassle.
From Interstate 90, the drive into Roslyn takes about ten minutes. The route is simple and well worth the small detour.
Weekends and evenings bring bigger crowds. Arriving earlier in the afternoon usually means a calmer room and quicker service.
For music schedules and any updates, the official website at bricksaloon.com is the best place to check. A quick look before leaving home can shape the whole plan.
Why the Detour Pays Off
More than a century of service is not something that happens by accident. The Brick has lasted because it keeps giving people a reason to walk through the door.
The spittoon trough, the wood stove, and the long bar tell a story no new building can match. The TV fame adds a fun bonus on top.
Meals are hearty and fairly priced, and the drink list offers something for almost everyone. The staff, on most days, keep things moving with real warmth.
It is not flawless. Busy nights can slow things down, and the old floors call for a little care.
Still, those small bumps feel minor next to the experience as a whole. Few places let travelers sit inside living history and grab lunch at the same time.
For anyone crossing Washington on I-90, the ten-minute detour into Roslyn is an easy call. Plan a little extra time to stroll the town afterward.
Some stops fade from memory by the next exit. This one tends to stick around, much like the saloon itself has since 1889.
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