by Marc Tiar
the paltenghi collections
Bar manager Dylan Evans entertains patrons with some fire breathing.
Drunk history
Photo/Eric Marks
filling the room, in my head I heard cliché player piano music as in every Western movie saloon. The friendly barkeep asked what we would like, but we paused to consider the cocktail options on advice from a friend. The varied ingredients—egg whites, fresh Besides being a beer aficionado, I also citrus, house-made syrups and more— have a love for the history of Reno and formed more of an apothecary’s pantry than Nevada in general. I don’t know what it a simple bar. But wait, which beer list do I is—more than just nostalgia or pride in my use, the chalkboard or this menu book? home and its heritage, I just find the tales Over my local coffee stout and my of the past that form the story of our state wife’s Pahranagat Punch, I impressed her compelling. Given that, in hindsight I’m a with my wealth of knowledge, nailing the little surprised that I took as long as I did to Nevada trivia questions she found nearby. visit the 1864 Tavern on California Avenue The longer I sat, the more I appreciated the for a drink. Maybe my subconscious was surroundings, every little detail just right. avoiding it, fearing the potential for a lame It was hard to tell what was authentic and attempt to cash in on the past. what was faux antique, a sign to me of An impromptu date night led my much thought and effort in the decor. The wife and me into 1864 on a most serenillusion took me away from dipitous evening—Lincoln’s 2017 Reno and delivered Birthday eve. For those me to the Comstock Lode. not in the know, it was our I wonder how this sells to a esteemed 16th President who 290 California Ave., 329-1864 young urban crowd—most of signed the papers making www.1864tavern.com whom I assume don’t share Nevada a state, granting my love of history—when him a special place in our it seems such a perfect fit for the Virginia history. The awnings over the windows City tourist. looked a particularly deep shade of Battle You could have knocked me over Born blue this night. with a feather then, when, as if on cue for Board games and popcorn were the my old Nevada reverie, a Union officer first things I noticed—nothing especially strolled into the bar. No hallucination, just Nevadan about those—then the list of draft a gathering of local reenactors for Lincoln beers in chalk above the bar. A selection Day in this appropriate venue. The timing of beers not particularly long or short, just of our visit couldn’t have been better. Old enough choices and variety to appease Abe gazed down approvingly from his most tastes, with a somewhat-better-thanportrait on the wall. average number of local or regional brews, 1864 Tavern escapes campiness with a home state advantage I can appreciate. I what seems to be a genuine love for the don’t think I’ve ever seen Ruby Mountain Silver State, the past, quality craft beer, and Amber on tap before. As I looked around, modern handcrafted cocktails. Further on my eyes took in more and more details— my list of appeal factors—nonsmoking, tab antique furniture arranged to form little opened, card returned and popcorn. I think I “parlors,” almost like individual train cars actually said, “This is my new favorite bar,” throughout the room, varied lanterns and I enjoyed it so much. Ω chandeliers. Despite the modern music
1864 Tavern
JANUARY 21 - JULY 16 Take an intimate look at Maynard Dixon’s life in the American West through more than sixty works drawn from the collections of brothers Bruce Paltenghi and Dr. Richard Paltenghi. Included are many never-before-seen drawings of mountain and desert landscapes, portraits, and figure studies.
MAJOR SPONSORS
The Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation Brian and Nancy Kennedy The Satre Family Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada Whittier Trust, Investment & Wealth Management
Maynard Dixon, Tortolita Range, 1944, oil on canvas board, 20 x 24 inches. Dr. Richard Paltenghi Collection
02.23.17
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