Cold Brews And Warm Food In The Middle Of Nowhere
Story By: Cody Carney
Photos By: Brandon Bunch
Being an adventurer at heart, I have this innate habit of trying to explore different areas. When I see a mountain, I want to climb it. When I see traveling water, I want to follow it—just to see where it ends up. That said, I’m always trying to seek out unusual places. When a buddy of mine was telling me about a remote bar located in the Buckskin Mountains of Parker, Arizona, on land that was an old mining camp, I was intrigued. I just had to look into it, and man let me tell you, I’m glad that I did.
The Nellie E Saloon, or more famously known as The Desert Bar, is located less than ten miles from Parker, Arizona. From the pavement of AZ-95 to the bowels of this desert oasis, you can take 4.7 miles of mildly maintained dirt road known as Cienega Springs Rd. Though you will see small sedans taking the voyage, those drivers might wish they hadn’t. The road is just as unforgiving as one would expect any unpaved road to be. Various twists and turns follow the lay of the land. Sharp rocks are scattered throughout, with dips and bumps every few yards; Everything telling those who travel in a less capable vehicle they may want to look at their suspension. The road is, however, just as rewarding as it is formidable. With many drivers forced to travel at single-digit speeds, there is plenty of time to bask in the beauty of the surrounding area.
Several pull-off areas rest aside the road to allow passersby to not only stretch their legs but also explore mining caves that still sit around the region. If fortunate enough to find the caves, be sure to air on the side of caution and use discretion when entering, as they are not maintained. There are also a couple of spots that travelers may break off to get some riding in if they have a UTV or other vehicle, but for the real challenge, there is a backway to the Desert Bar that can be taken. Chris Ockershausen, the General Manager of The Desert Bar, encourages people to drop by for a hot meal and cold brews in hopes they also try to preserve the land as it has been since the bar’s opening 37 years ago.
In 1983, Entrepreneur Ken Coughlin gave his “bar in the desert” idea a try. Originally just a three-sided structure that now sits across from the outdoor restrooms, Ken ran his business for five years until the current saloon was constructed. From then on, Ken has added a little bit more with each attraction more unique than the next. An old fire truck that he used to haul water sits in front of the parking lot. Near the parking lot is also a church made of solid steel and stamped tin with the names of people who helped build it inscribed on plaques. Many structures lay around the property and each has a story to it which ties into the what’s led to the success of The Desert Bar. Even more, accommodations have been made throughout the years as well.
In the beginning, Ken would haul water in with nothing more than a 50-gallon tank in the bed of his truck. Today, water is taken from a well he drilled in 1997 that operates on solar power. The solar panels rest above the seating area to not only provide shade for visitors but also energy for the saloon and stage where live music is played. The Nellie E Saloon offers cold beer, wine, and mixed drinks. A snack bar downstairs offers a variety of foods like chicken and pork, where a second snack bar upstairs offers burgers and hot dogs. What should be noted most is the good nature of the bar and its staff.
Coughlin puts taking care of his customers as a priority. A commitment that goes further than just serving them. If any customer is unable to exhibit sobriety, he or she will not be served. Coughlin takes drinking in excess very seriously and is non-tolerant of it. It’s not just that it’s unsafe as it is. It doesn’t support the casual atmosphere either. The Desert Bar has a very easy-going, family-oriented feel. It’s an escape from modernization and a reconnecting with nature and human interaction. Like anyone true to an off-road lifestyle knows, the best experiences are going out to the middle of nowhere and just enjoying some lively conversation and gorgeous views. Don’t bother getting on your mobile device. You won’t find any signal out here. It’s part of the reason I now consider this rad bar in the middle of the desert one of my favorite destinations, and that’s just scraping the surface!
Across the road from the parking lot, you will see a house. This is home to none other than Ken Coughlin himself. It’s much different from the mobile home he started with, but the property is off-limits. The Desert Bar is open October through April, Saturdays and Sundays ONLY, from noon to 6 P.M. Arizona time, and closed during summer. Find more information on the history of The Desert Bar and why it was named Nellie E Saloon at thedesertbar.com. You’ll notice there isn’t a whole lot of information on the website. That’s because The Desert Bar has grown primarily by word of mouth and in hopes to keep the interactive-culture alive, Ken plans on keeping things that way. If you visit, be sure to bring your own cash, no ATMs or cards here… Keeping it simple and easy!
