Big cities known for their nightlife, like Paris and Berlin, are home to numerous invite-only speakeasies and otherwise secret establishments. Northern California’s Mendocino County isn’t typically associated with those types of haunts, but nestled deep within an ancient redwood grove along the coast, that’s exactly what you’ll find — if you know how to get there.
Glen Blair Bar opened in October 2022 and welcomes guests throughout the year. But while the outdoor watering hole is fairly new, the method of transportation required to visit is much older. Interested patrons must hop aboard the historic Skunk Train, which offers a magnificent view of Mother Nature that’s remained largely unchanged since the railway began running in 1885.
Leaving from Fort Bragg Depot, the train schedules departures for the bar hourly from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m on select Friday and Saturday nights, with the ride lasting about 25 minutes. It winds along the Pudding Creek estuary and ends at a clearing where guests alight at “a magical scene of twinkling lights, live music, and plenty of fun and games,” according to Travel + Leisure.
Under a canopy of trees and a star-filled sky, bargoers can get comfy around firepits and purchase local wine and beer, cocktails, and charcuterie plates for two until the bar closes at 10:30. “Well-behaved” dogs are even welcome, per the website — with an additional doggie train fare of $10.95.
Originally called the Fort Bragg Railroad, the Skunk Train was used to carry lumber and transport loggers and their families to and from various camps along the route. It was eventually sold and renamed the California Western Railroad, earning its current nickname around 1925 when single-unit motorcars were introduced.
Powered by gasoline, the self-propelled cars also relied on potbellied stoves burning crude oil to keep passengers toasty, creating an odorous combination of fumes. “Old-timers living along the line said these motorcars were like skunks, ‘You could smell them before you could see them,’” the website states.
Prior to becoming a pub, Glen Blair Bar was used only as a space for weddings, parties, concerts, and movie nights, per Sonoma Magazine. The changeover to public alehouse was two years in the making. “Why have the venue if you’re not going to share it?” Skunk Train General Manager Stathi Pappas explained to the outlet.
Special events are sometimes held in addition to the weekly bar schedule, like the Mushroom Train, a fundraiser for MendoParks that takes place Nov. 2. Guests 21 and older will enjoy wine and whiskey, learn about and taste local mushrooms, and then cozy up to a campfire for s’mores.
@sanfranciscobucketlist NorCal bucket list alert!📍Take the Skunk Train in Fort Bragg for a beautiful tour through the redwoods and arrive at your destination, Glen Blair Bar where you can enjoy local beer, cocktails and more. sfbucketlist norcal bayareacalifornia (🎥: @eagertravele)
♬ original sound – SF Bucket List – SF Bucket List
For younger visitors, the train becomes a Pumpkin Express during autumn, departing from the city of Willits and ending at a pumpkin patch where families can choose their own gourd to take home. And from the end of November through the last week of December, the Skunk Train offers a Christmas experience, taking guests on a journey to see what it touts as “the world’s largest living Christmas tree,” and serving yummy seasonal treats along the way.
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