Boots And Saddles At The Clayton Club Saloon; Shot ‘A Jack And On To The Gavel With A Whiff Of BBQ Smoke

Open years before Custer met his end at the Greasy Grass. Pushed through Prohibition as a “teetotaling” cafe. Serving as Clayton’s home away from home for idle ranchers, road-tripping bikers, power-drinkers and divorcees for years before a bad coke bust brought down the owner and cemented its reputation as a brawling, yet still beloved country dive bar with a hitching post out back and the boots of long-dead imbibers pinned to the ceiling.

Ah, you just can’t buy atmosphere like that anymore.

Gint Federas Photo

Or maybe you can, we’ll see, as the venerable Clayton Club Saloon transitions from its past iteration to its next, backers and regulars throwing themselves a little send-off in Clayton Sunday to mark the day.

Gint Federas Photo

Unlike past gatherings the only blood flowing Sunday was a few raised Bloody Mary’s, the only smoking was meat on the grill as remaining friends and regulars gathered to tell old stories and discuss the future as the historic saloon is set to be auctioned off on April 3, 2026 on the steps of Clayton City Hall. The sale follows litigation and the appointment of a receiver to manage the 153-year-old landmark after the death of a co-owner. It is closing temporarily before a new owner takes over.

Generations of patrons arrived by Harley (sadly, no horses that we could see) and the party commenced bright and early, smoke from the barbecue rising along with the conversation levels as old stories (some even true) were told and re-told to appreciative new listeners.

If you have any of your own, add them in the comments section.

Otherwise, see you at the auction for a clue as to the saloon’s next phase of caretakership – we’re told someone has already put in a bid.

Gint Federas Photo