Be prepared for a drive, but the roads are well maintained. My best friend absolutely HAD to go to the "No Scum Allowed Saloon". I wasn't one to argue a good time. Only problem was that good time starts at 5pm, and only on certain days of the week. Middle of the desert, at the cross of nowhere and won't find your body for years, is this epic drinkery. Decked out with dollar bills lining the ceiling and occupied by some of the nicest locals we met on our trip. If you're in the area (which is impossible) or needing a great place to hang out on a weekend night, this is it. Of course it's the only option for many miles, but we were not disappointed. According to the owners, they have some great local talent that plays on certain evenings. They have an awesome little venue that looks like a blast when they have a band. We picked out a couple tshirts as souvenirs and one of the patrons purchased our drinks on his tab . I promised to return upon our next New Mexico trip. I'll be more than delighted to drive there again, especially for some music and to see what the crowd looks like. Overall, awesome venue. Loss of one star for the lack of additional party hours, expensive merchandise ($60) for two tshirts and wayyyyy out in there drive. Everything else was exactly like we expected and more. read more

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A little out of the way place. Dogs were thirsty and loved it! We loved the area and especially the people of New Mexico. read more

No Scum Allowed Saloon - No Scum II - Dance Clubs Near Me - White Oaks, New Mexico

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We went a cold rainy day and the place was pretty quiet. Karen had the wood stove going and gave us a local history lesson. If you're traveling by it's worth the stop... no draft beer (beer selection limited) good whiskey selection. read more

No Scum Allowed Saloon (NSAS) is a little slice of heaven tucked away just on the outskirts of the Lincoln National Forest and to be honest, I almost hate to review it. I'm torn because I love No Scum Allowed and don't want it to get overrun but I also want it to thrive and be around forever. Our side trip to NSAS was an unusual event because it was actually closed but the owner Karen opened up that day because a large group of hunters were staying in "town" and convinced her to open. Lucky us! We were immediately greeted by friendly faces and took our share of good hearted ribbing from those hunters and locals but it was all in fun. After we bought all the hunters a round, they came back a little later with dinner for everyone! At NSAS during the time of COVID, only the outdoors is open to the public except for the restrooms. But to be honest, why would you want to be inside when the outside is so inviting with horseshoes, cornhole, plenty of seating, a stage, a big slab for dancing or whatever, plenty of fun stuff to look at and scenery to die for. Karen is an amazing hostess/owner and makes you feel at home and she's working hard to keep the place going. The locals at NSAS are very friendly and we enjoyed some good conversation. The pièce de résistance was when the sun went down, an older man and woman sat down with guitar and fiddle and entertained us for quite a while. These two absolutely made the night. The songs were very old country and the woman's voice was mesmerizing. The old guy was great on the fiddle and banjo. Man what a night! We really hated to leave but the night came to an end and it's about 13 miles from White Oaks back to any kind of main highway. That's through the dark being careful of elk! This place is pretty special and if you have a chance to head out there, DO IT!! read more

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Stopped by on a Saturday afternoon. The bartender was kind and attentive, making sure everyone got drinks and was happy. Enjoyed chatting with the bikers who where there that day. Had a couple drinks and went back to my campsite. Highly recommend a stop at this saloon. Can't go wrong with great service and a cold beverage. read more

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Wish it could be open more often, but appreciate the times it is open, the special event/days, and the tremendous authenticity. Best line is still from our first visit, after two tourist couples ordered fancy cocktails: "I'm not making those drinks. Look behind me; this is a bar." (Lest that make her look hardened or rude, on the last visit, she let a decidedly lost couple camp overnight on the property.) Cheers, it ain't. Thank god. read more

This little saloon is a must see if you are going to white Oaks, NM. ( nearby Carrizozo) I stopped by during Covid times and they had tamales available for takeout. I got some and they were delicious! It's a cool and unique spot that you must check out if you're in the area!!! read more

This is a great Western bar. Karen the owner had a friend panning for gold and finding a flake when I was in a couple of years ago. This past moth I went there with a friend and she still has a great thing going. read more

2021 update: We drove out of our way to visit here again while in Ruidoso/ Lincoln area. I had to call since their website said closed everyday (I'm guessing outdated COVID info) to which the employee was rude on the other line stating that's wrong and they are open. When we arrived we walked with our dog on leash towards the door and the owner stuck her head out and yelled at us while wagging her finger "NO dogs allowed!" and then walked back inside. Not even on the patio? Okay. But we didn't deserve to get yelled at across the parking lot like that. Apparently that's how the owner always is. Rude. 2019 visit: We were excited to try this place after hearing about it from friends upon recommendation of visiting the town of White Oaks as a whole. The bar opened at 12 (or so it said), but the door wasn't unlocked until around 12:10 with a good sized group of us waiting outside. They didn't serve food so we returned later in the day. By the afternoon, a new bartender was working who either was a volunteer, new, or just had no idea what he was doing. Upon wanting to pay for my drink, I gave him a $10 bill which he responded, "what is this for?" After he was already ringing up my drink. He then put my bill by the cash register, run someone else up, and forgot about my change entirely. When I asked for my change he was again confused and I had to explain my drink was only $5. Sigh. Their merchandise was cute, but expensive. Small stickers were $5 and tshirts were $35-$40. I did not partake, but my friend spent over $55 on items. read more

Upon moving to Ruidoso, NM, my co-workers and I kept hearing about this mythic bar in the middle of nowhere. Wide-eyed, we would listen to tales of debauchery, waiting for the day we'd have our own to tell. Three of us finally made the trip, hardly knowing what to expect. We walked in, and immediately felt the hard stare of the locals sizing us up. Somewhat nervous, we made our way to the bar and chatted up Allison, the nicest bartender in all of New Mexico. Seriously. She's amazing. After about three minutes everyone in the bar was chatting us up. We were lucky and happened to go on Whiskey Bill's birthday. He and two other talented dudes performed Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard covers, as well as the infamous "White Oaks" song. The outside area is beautiful; the Jicarilla mountains make for a fantastic backdrop, and the bar's own eccentric decorations add to the atmosphere as well. There're quite a few of the signature Carrizozo donkeys sitting around, which makes me wonder... muahaha. The drive is worth it. It's about 15 minutes from Carrizozo, and 45 minutes from Ruidoso. On our way home we pulled over to watch the sunset and dance to some good old fashioned country music before the ride home. I can't wait to go back. read more

No Scum Allowed Saloon - jolly good time at No Scum! - Dance Clubs Near Me - White Oaks, New Mexico

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This gem of a bar was just what the Dr ordered. I had read about White Oaks history and was intrigued to drive to a ghost town. The drive from Ruidoso was a little over an hour. The scenery was gorgeous. White Oaks is very small but stopping at No Scum Allowed Saloon made it all worth it. Karen, the owner, gave us the history of the bar which was fascinating. She's the 1st woman to own the bar and is very much a friendly face. Drinks were good. They had all the typical booze one would want. All in all, I will certainly be back to this bar and highly recommend trying No Scum Allowed Saloon. read more

We picked up a pizza in Carrizozo and then headed to No Scum! This saloon is a bar and a history lesson combined! Karen is a delight and can tell you all about the area. White Oak was a mining town so lots of great stories!! Worth the drive out for sure!!! read more

Nicest people! Was camping nearby & took a ride out! The owners and patrons are all a friendly bunch! Was a home town bar and good atmosphere! read more

No Scum Allowed Saloon - a group of bikers - Dance Clubs Near Me - White Oaks, New Mexico

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A real trip! A dive-bar out in the middle of nowhere with great music!

We had a wonderful afternoon with Karen and the crew. Coldest beer in town, great conversations and if you love history - this is the place to be! Must visit if you are in the Ruidoso area, worth the drive. read more

Visited on March 23, 2018. My buddy and I are retired and do one guy trip a year. We were exploring the Ruidoso - Lincoln, New Mexico area, The mountains, White Sands Missile Base, White Sands National Monument, Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett and Smokey the Bear... We heard about the No Scum Allowed Saloon and went to see if we could get in... They let us in... We were the only "tourists" in the bar with about 10 other customers. Karen the bartender and owner, was extremely friendly and helpful - taking pictures and pointing out the sights. We met several of the town folk - the church pastor & his wife (he is also 1/3 of the two truck fire department), a retired Post Mistress and her friend and several others. Most friendly people we met on the trip. Most importantly the beer was very cold and had there been a hotel near-by we would have stayed much longer.... Look for the patches we gave Karen to put on the wall and get your picture taken with the Buffalo. This is a friendly dive bar, they don't have a kitchen - which was the only down side to this fine establishment. Be a friend and make a friend... read more

When I hung out here, Jim Penrod owned the place and called it the White Oaks Saloon, after retiring from electrical contracting in Michigan to be a gold miner in this gold mining ghost town where Billy the Kid hung out at the White Oaks Saloon when it was a whorehouse when the town was booming. In my time there, cowboys took breaks and left their horses at the hitching rails out front to drink a few beers before returning to riding fences. The current owner has tripled the prices, and he's marketing the place as a biker bar for tourists, but many locals are rebelling. read more

No Scum Allowed Saloon - Mustang - Dance Clubs Near Me - White Oaks, New Mexico

My husband and I went to New Mexico earlier this month, specifically to check out the No Scum Allowed Saloon. We were not disappointed. The bartender, Ginger was so very nice & knowledgeable about the area. Lars, a local guy, took our picture for us, and gave us travelling information on towns we were going to travel through. Everyone who we came in contact with, including the owner Marion, were so very nice. I'm sorry our friends backed out of the trip and missed this one of a kind place. The location, history, pictures, etc. make it a truly interesting place to visit. There was live music in the back and lots of friendly people. Thanks for making our visit such a memorable one. Greg & Brenda Bauer from Indianapolis, Indiana read more

No Scum Allowed Saloon - We love this bar! - Dance Clubs Near Me - White Oaks, New Mexico

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I went 12 miles out of my way to the No Scum to have a beer just because I liked the name. The place and people were great, stayed over night in the parking lot in my RV There is no other business in White Oaks, only the bar. Call ahead or check web site to see about bands that might be playing. It was cold when I was there, bet it would be even better when the weather was warm and you could use the large outside space. Under the management of the new owner and this guy's got the right idea of what a bar should be. read more

No Scum Allowed Saloon - Dance Clubs Near Me - White Oaks, New Mexico

Don't waste your time or money! Bartender is rude. People stare if you are from out of town! And again the bartender was so rude! Only one lady, and she had the worst attitude and horrible customer service! Hated it! It's colder than h*ll, and no one would talk to you! WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! NOT WORTH IT! If you are looking for some place to hangout with a bunch of friends during the day and have fun, DO NOT come here! read more

"Trish" must be a ghost town explorer and slightly confused about what site she was postring to because this is the No Scum Allowed Saloon site and not a ghost town info site. Its not possible to TRUELY explain the magic of this little place, but there are very good reasons this little saloon, in the middle of a ghost town, located in the the middle of "NO WHERE", is so well known and loved by people from all over New Mexico and Beyond. The fact that its a ghost town and linked with Billy the Kid may be the reason some people first go check it out, but those things are not the reason so many out of town travelers always make it a point to come BACK whenever they go through this part of NM!!! The events part of this site mentions that a paranormal investigation was done out there for a TV show, and there are also very good reasons for that, but not in a bad way that many people will automatically assume. You may or may not see a ghost out there, but it will be smiling if you do. Its far more likely that you will feel someone brush past you (irregardless of how many people are actually in there) but find nobody close by when you step aside to give them room to pass. You will realize what just happened, but it wont scare you. Instead, you will feel a kind of loving warmth as though you were a child getting a hug from Gramma. There may be spookier things that have happened that I am unaware of, but thats what happened to both my husband and myself, and it happened more than once. If there have been nasty personal encounters happening out there, I would bet my last dollar that it happens to the type person most smart people would not dare turn their backs on. I am on the high side of 50 yrs old and you could count the number of bars I have been in on your fingers, and the same is true of my husband. At least since we were married 27yrs ago, and counting. Shortly before moving to Carrizozo in March of 97 we were here visiting family and decided to go gather some pinon nuts in the Jicarillas, but failed to take anything extra to drink when we went. Needless to say, we wound up very thirsty and White Oaks was a LOT closer than Zozo so we headed that way first to get something to drink before going home. Not knowing anything about White Oaks or the saloon at the time, we drove into the rundown dead looking little town for the first time and were very grateful to find ANYTHING open where we could get a drink. With that being said, its also true that the bar looked like something you would see on an inner city skid row somewheres. If we had not been in desperate need of something to drink, there is NO WAY IN HELL we would have ever gone in the place at all!! I needed to use the restroom so the game plan was for my husband to get some soda's while I went to the bathroom and getting out of there ASAP!! But thats not what happened. For some reason, I was not surprised or put off in any way when I discovered I needed to fill a convienently placed bucket with water at the sink in order to flush the toilet. It somehow seemed perfectly natural and a little bit comical, but not offensive in anyway. I came out of the restroom smiling and suddenly in a good mood despite not yet having had anything to drink. Instead of being in the car waiting for me with the drinks, I found my husband sitting at the bar drinking a soda and comfortably chatting it up with the barmaid and another drink waiting for me right next to him. Without giving it a second thought, I sat down and we spent the next hour or so, in the saloon happily chatting and learning some history of the bar and the surrounding area. It was not until very recently that either myself or my husband realized that there was anything unusual about our actions on that day so many years ago, and we probably never would have questioned it if we had not felt the "not there" person brush past us. The building itself has had many improvements made since then, and the locals as well as the other people who find themselves drawn into, or BACK to, this little place in the middle of nowhere, are ALL very special, likable and very often musically talented people. Thats the best I can do as far as attempting to explain the magic of this little place, but as I said before, its just not possible to TRUELY understand it until you have personally walked through the front door and feel it for yourself. Last but not least, If people go in there, and do NOT feel what I am talking about within a very short period of time... Then they need to turn their butts around and leave because the name of this place speaks for itself !!!! read more