What Cheer Saloon
Step into the What Cheer Saloon and continue your walk back in time. The name “What Cheer” comes from an Old English greeting. Opened in 1857, the Ale House was popular with miners and merchants who moved into the area during the Gold Rush Era.
The beautiful cherry wood back bar that is the centerpiece of the saloon has been in place since it’s arrival in 1857. Originally constructed in Boston, it was then transported by ship “around the horn” to California. It then faced an arduous trip by wagon from the Port of Stockton to the “diggin’s” in Columbia. Unfortunately, like the rest of the hotel, it also fell into disrepair, but was refurbished by the California State Parks Department and continues its place in history today.
Today, the What Cheer Saloon is the only full service bar in Columbia. We feature fine Cognacs, Armagnacs, and single malt Scotches, as well as several of the best Sierra Nevada foothill wines. There are always local beers on tap, along with numerous foreign and domestic bottled beers.
While in Columbia, be sure to stop in and ‘sit a spell’ in the What Cheer. When you do, ask for the house specialty, the “Columbia Gold”. The ingredients are a trade secret, but we can tell you that it is our most asked for specialty libation. If you are so inclined to have more than one, be sure to take the stage home.
The What Cheer Saloon also has a nightly casual dining menu.