About Smiley's Saloon
Smiley's Schooner Saloon - California's oldest continually operating saloon, a historic Bolinas institution on Wharf Road with a full bar, kitchen, live music, and hotel rooms upstairs.
Smiley's Schooner Saloon - California's Oldest Continually Operating Saloon, the Soul of Bolinas Since 1851
There are bars. There are historic bars. And then there is Smiley's - a category unto itself, a piece of California history still drawing its own pints, still hosting live music three nights a week, still standing on Wharf Road in Bolinas exactly where it has stood since the year that Millard Fillmore was president of the United States.
Smiley's Schooner Saloon was established in 1851 and is one of the oldest bars on the West Coast. Through every era - from Gold Rush days to counterculture to the present - Smiley's has remained a defining part of Bolinas community life.
A History More Colorful Than Any Novel
In the late 1800s it was Nils Odin's Schooner Saloon. During Prohibition and the Great Depression, Marion Bettencourt and his wife Ida kept the place alive, even disguising operations with a front barbershop setup and a hidden entrance.
In 1955, Italian immigrant Ismaele "Smiley" Bianchini bought the saloon, expanded it into Smiley's Bar and Bait Shop, and added hotel rooms upstairs. In 1967, a loud conversation overheard in the saloon helped spark local action that protected Bolinas Lagoon from major development.
In 2015, Smiley's was purchased by Leila Monroe, Ashley Huck, and Simon Dunne. In 2023, longtime managers Blair Harris and Chelsea Maissen-Kahn became lead owners, continuing the saloon's legacy while keeping it welcoming for locals and visitors alike.
The 2020 Restoration - A New Chapter for an Ancient Institution
In 2020, Smiley's completed a major restoration of the original building so it can continue serving as a cornerstone of Bolinas for generations to come.
The Food - Mexican Tradition Meets West Marin Ingredients
The kitchen draws from historic Mexican influence in West Marin and local ingredients, creating food that pairs naturally with mezcal, beer, or wine. Kitchen service runs daily from noon to 8:00 PM.
The Music - Smiley's Soul
Music is central to Smiley's identity. The venue supports independent artists and hosts regular live shows multiple nights each week, with Fourth of July balcony performances becoming one of Bolinas's most memorable annual traditions.
The Hotel - Stay Where History Still Lives
Smiley's renovated hotel rooms offer a rare stay-in-the-center-of-town experience: beach nearby, saloon below, and Bolinas life right outside your door.
41 Wharf Road, Bolinas, CA 94924 Bar: (415) 868-1311 · Hotel: (415) 881-1851 info@smileyssaloon.com smileyssaloon.com @smileyssaloon on Instagram & Facebook
Bar open daily 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Friday-Saturday until 12:00 AM) Kitchen open daily 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM Live music 3+ nights per week Hotel available 24/7 - book online or call Outdoor seating · Dog-friendly
Pro Tip: Check Smiley's music calendar before you go. Friday nights are especially lively - arrive before the set starts, order early from the kitchen, and if you're visiting in summer, consider booking a room so you can walk straight from the show to your stay.