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    Silva's Saloon

    4.6 (15 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

    Silva's Saloon Photos

    SILVA'S SALOON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Juke Box
    Quiet
    Good for groups

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    W B.

    I love this bar, no frills and nothing but straight forward beers and shots type of saloon. Great history and scenery, cash only.

    Silva's Saloon was listed in Esquire Magazine as one of the top five bars in the United States.
    John S.

    This bar is the New Mexico "Cheers". My wife and I visited here for our third wedding anniversary. We arrived at 6:45 pm, and ordered two Coors Lights from Felix Silva, Jr., the són of the original owner. He decided to give us a tour of the bar, and I am happy he did. Felix Junior is 83 and still talkative and energetic. He told us Esquire Magazine picked the bar as one if the top five in the nation in the 80s. Lots of visitors from other countries visit the bar as it sits on Route 66. There are dollar bills with messages written on them littering the walls. He showed us a metal still in the corner that his father used to make moonshine during Prohibition. There were many bottles of liquor and cans of beer from the 1930s that he has preserved in wax behind the bar. He showed us countless celebrity photos on the walls (Danny Trejo) and reminisced about the movies that were shot in the bar, including 50 to 1. There is a pool table in an adjacent room and the walls are covered with black and white nude photos and posters. He told us that people from everywhere give him these to hang up, and he happily obliges. A cutout of "the most interesting man in the world" stands in the corner. He says bikers visit his bar and are welcome as long as they are courteous, unarmed, and not wearing colors. He had three other customers in the bar who he knew by first name and introduced us to. They shook our hands and were friendly. He told us he considers his regulars as part of his extended family. Silva's Saloon is much more than a "biker" bar. It is an historic place filled with memories of New Mexico's past and its patrons are New Mexico's present. Fèlix Silva, Jr. is more than an old man. He is part of the "Silent Generation" and a true Native New Mexican, genuine, tough, kind, and willing to tell some of the most interesting stories. I am happy we visited here for our anniversary and look forward to talking to Felix again.

    RunAway B.

    Bernalillo, New Mexico - pre-1937 Route 66 bar "Silva's Saloon" (RAB bar 547 of 2017) with bartender Denise is a "Run-A-Way Bill" Favorite. Since 1933, "Silva's Saloon" has been a 1-family owned business. "Silva's Saloon" customers drank beers & watched the historic Route 66 road created right in front of the bar. Today the walls are covered with 100's of memories, including the hats of customers who have "moved to the cemetery" over the years. Today 85 year young Felix & his daughter keep the bar running. Several movies have used "Silva's Saloon" for their bar scenes. #RunAwayBill #DUSA2017 #WorldsLongestBarCrawl #666BarsUSA #Route66RunAwayBill #Route66 11.15.17

    D A P.

    The husband Kevin & I were doing touristy things when we decided to visit the oldest bar in ABQ. Kevin googled the question on his IPhone and Silvia's Saloon popped up. We were on our way. We love Silvia's! It was about 3 in the afternoon on a weekday so there were not many patrons at that time, but the place is cool. It's dark and covered with postcards, pictures & photos all over the walls. Lots of naked women from the 70s. So covered, that I couldn't see the bathroom door located directly behind me. Packed with bottles of booze. I could only see Coors & Bud on draft and this isn't the kind of place to have a beer menu. So when the extremely nice bartender named Denise asked me what I wanted, I took a guess: "Sam Adams?" I asked. "I think I have one left" Denise said. Next to us on the bar was a bunch of homemade food laid out buffet style. "Help yourself to some food" Denise said. Wait a minute, your giving us cheep booze & delicious free food? I had some of the local dessert which is a custard type pudding that I do not know the name of- but I will find out because I wanted to marry it. I don't know if the free lunch was a special occasion or an everyday occurrence. Silvia's is a great place to stop for a drink on your way to or from Santa Fe.

    Candice B.

    So much history and good times If your lucky enough to catch Felix (my future ex husband) he'll give you stories to take home

    outside

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    8 years ago

    Great bar. And I do mean bar. Don't expect fancy appetizers or any food. The beer is super cold and the bartender is super friendly

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    Review Highlights - Silva's Saloon

    We arrived at 6:45 pm, and ordered two Coors Lights from Felix Silva, Jr., the són of the original owner.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    For a town oozing with local flavor, this establishment takes top honor.. Wilfred serves a steady…read morestream of local take out business and the afternoon I was there, some nice cold Mexican beer and great conversation. The theme is a David Lynchian Havana paladare without the rice and beans.

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    I had not been to this place for many years. It used to be a dive bar for unm students. It was…read moreredone apparently 7 or 8 years ago and is a cool place to go too. When you go in the entrance the bar is to the left and is now kinda of a speakeasy. It's dark, nicely done, music playing and fancy cocktails being made. They don't have a huge menu but you can get some appetizers, sandwiches, etc. We had some non traditional nachos which were very good. The service was also very good. When we left the bar, I checked out the restaurant that was to the right when you walked into the front door of the Copper Lounge. It's has a very nice ambiance and it's not dark like the bar was next door. Don't have any other info on it but looked very nice. I would recommend checking these places out if you are looking for something very different from the usual places.

    Silva's Saloon - divebars - Updated May 2026

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