Article Summary –
The King George II Inn in Bristol, believed to be the oldest bar in Pennsylvania, has a storied history with tales of notable historical figures and alleged hauntings, despite details becoming muddied over its 343-year existence. Originally established in 1681 as the Ferry House by Samuel Clift, the inn has transitioned from a ferry-linked accommodation to a popular restaurant and bar, contributing to Bristol’s recent economic revival with new businesses and cultural activities. The inn’s owners, including Bruce Lowe and Rob Strasser, celebrate its rich past and community growth, expressing hopes for its continued success and enduring charm.
Much of the King George II Inn’s history in Bristol relies on local lore. Stories circulate about Martha Washington staying in its rooms and George Washington’s troops drinking at the bar days before crossing the Delaware to attack Hessian forces on Dec. 26, 1776.
Other tales include constables throwing drunk revelers into the basement jail in the 1700s and John and Abigail Adams being fans of the inn, which sits along the Delaware River.
Despite 343 years of muddied details, one fact remains clear, according to one owner: patrons drink with ghosts.
“I’ve seen doors open and close, and a bottle flew six feet across the bar,” said Bruce Lowe, one of the inn’s owners, sitting near the wooden bar built in the 1700s. “If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t believe it.”
Co-owner Rob Strasser is more skeptical but enjoys the paranormal stories. “Folklore suggests ghosts—a baby crying on the third floor, a tap on the head, a man with a top hat,” he said.
Lowe and Strasser, both originally from New Jersey, purchased the inn nearly a decade ago. Executive chef Fabian Quiros later joined as the third co-owner.
Established as the Ferry House in 1681 by Samuel Clift, the inn is believed to be Pennsylvania’s oldest bar, according to Anne Ryan, deputy secretary of tourism for the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
The inn has evolved since its pre-Revolutionary War inception but remains a hub for gathering, eating, drinking, and lodging. The four-story building hosts 14 tenants, with some residing for over 20 years, Lowe said.
Initially providing meals and lodging to ferry and stagecoach travelers, the inn preserves its historic elements, like wooden jail bars in the wine cellar and the original Delaware River stone foundation.
Today, the inn attracts visitors more for its restaurant and bar than as a travel stop. Bristol is revitalizing with new businesses emerging post-pandemic, Lowe noted.
“Bristol’s a happening place now,” said Lowe. “Restaurants and mom-and-pop stores are opening on Mill Street.”
Bristol has faced economic struggles since losing its manufacturing base. But recent developments, like a $3 million docks project and winning $500,000 from the Deluxe Corporation’s Small Business Revolution competition in 2017, have revitalized the town.
“It’s amazing how many businesses are on Mill Street now,” said Lorraine Meredith, a server at the inn for nearly 24 years.
The inn’s growth parallels Bristol’s resurgence, bringing in more patrons. “Bristol is definitely coming into its own,” said Aidan White, a 21-year-old server at the inn. “Artistic movements and small businesses are popping up, making the town feel alive.”
White highlighted the renovations at the Bristol Riverside Theatre, close to the inn. “This small town is unassuming but full of life and culture,” White said.
The owners and employees hope the inn endures another three centuries, enjoying its food, drinks, and ghostly tales.
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