The North Dakota Restaurant With Speakeasy Roots That Date Back To The 1930s
By Tori Jane|Published December 20, 2021
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Tori Jane
Author
Tori Jane is a storm chaser, writer, photographer, and the village idiot - in that order. When she's not out and about dancing with the meanest storms on planet Earth for funsies she can be found wandering, shooting landscapes, writing, editing photos, and otherwise up to no good. Legend has it that she can also be occasionally spotted typing up short bios in the third person, but those rumors are unsubstantiated.
What’s more fun than a night out on the town? Well, what about a night in an old-school speakeasy, surrounded by several of your closest friends while you’re all served amazing drinks and delicious food? We think that sounds pretty awesome if you ask us, and we know just the place: hiding within Bismarck, North Dakota, is a place that’s not just the oldest restaurant in Bismarck – nope, it’s the oldest restaurant in North Dakota, and there’s definitely a reason for its old-world, long-time charm: it’s always had it. It’s never lost it – not even in more than 120 years. Check it out:
The Peacock Alley is, as we said, the oldest restaurant still operating in North Dakota.
It was established in 1933, heralding the end of prohibition - though the building it was established in had been standing long before that, and had been serving as a speakeasy of sorts where liquor was served illegally.
Nowadays, it's a wonderful place to grab a delicious meal and have some amazingly-crafted drinks.
Luckily for us, the era of prohibition is long past, and the mixologists working behind the bar at The Peacock Alley are more than happy to whip you up something that's just as beautiful as it is delicious.
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It's an amazing place that markets itself as the perfect place to gather with friends, and honestly, we agree.
Few places in Bismarck have the same atmosphere as this one does. Maybe it's the century-plus-old building, or perhaps it's the ever-echoing vibe that permeates the whole place, making it feel like the perfect spot to kick your feet up and relax.
Peacock Alley has been a Bismarck-area legend for its entire life; not only did it spend time as a speakeasy, but it was also said to be a house of "ill repute," featuring illegal gambling and, very possibly, ladies of the night.
To say it's a little lower-key nowadays is to imply that it's lost that excitement - that spark - and we definitely can't really say that.
Sure, you won't be finding a lot of ladies of the night here - nor are you likely to run into an underground gambling ring - but what you still can find here is that ability to cut loose and relax. This little hole-in-the-wall has been at least providing that service to folks for the better part of 125 years.
The food menu is can't-miss as well; it's some of Bismarck's very best bar food, including indulgences like brisket melts, French dip, soups, salads, and so much more.
For the full menu, as well as plenty more information to learn about this little hole-in-the-wall that just so happens to be the oldest one of its kind in the state, make sure to check out the official Peacock Alley website. Have you ever been to this old-school, one-of-a-kind restaurant in North Dakota? Tell us your favorite drinks in the comments!
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