Tobacco Road Bar History - From Bakery, Speakeasy to Miami City Landmark
The history of Miami's Tobacco Road Bar which was formerly located at 626 South Miami Avenue in the heart of the Brickell neighborhood.
On November 17, 2012, the Tobacco Road bar in Miami celebrated what was widely believed to be its one-hundred-year anniversary in business. The bar proudly touted that their liquor license dated to 1912 which made it South Florida’s oldest drinking establishment.
When the liquor license was allegedly issued, Miami was a little more than sixteen years of age. The city was founded in 1896. Given the claim, Miami would have been entering adolescence when its first liquor license was issued. By today’s legal drinking age, the city would have been too young to enjoy what the license provided.
While the tale of Tobacco Road’s liquor license may be urban legend, the establishment had a fascinating story. During its last years in business, locals referred to the place as “The Road”. This road provided plenty of wild turns throughout its history. The place continually reinvented itself as Miami evolved through the years. This is the story of Miami’s oldest saloon.
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