Now I've been around, and I've been around a LOT in Arizona. I've experienced some unique watering holes with a lot of history behind them, including St. Elmo's in Bisbee.
But the one I'd pick over all the others is housed in a building in Tombstone once owned as a hotel by one Mary Katherine Harmony. Let me bring you up to speed on her. She was one of the first "soiled doves" in Tombstone, and with her money, she became owner of the Grand Hotel on Allen Street. On the night before the famous "gunfight at the OK Corral," the McLaury brothers stayed in this hotel. As luck would have it, they didn't fare so well against the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday the next day. I guess it was pretty nice of Mary Katherine to put those dudes up for the night, because she was Doc Holliday's girlfriend. You may know her by her nickname, Big Nose Kate.
At any rate, over the years, the building that was once the Grand Hotel has evolved, and it now houses the saloon named after Mary Katherine. It's called Big Nose Kate's Saloon, and the joint is jumpin' every day. They'll fix you any drink you want from a "screaming orgasm" to a "tequila sunrise." The choice of beers is excellent. The waitresses are garbed in saloon gal costumes of the 1800s. Memorabilia from Tombstone's glory days is pasted all over every wall, and if you want to go downstairs, they have plenty of period western wear to buy. A band is usually providing western music. They even have a great selection of food - I can vouch for the hamburgers. Get yer picture taken with some of the barmaids; they'll even dress you up properly and give ya a double barreled scattergun so's ya can look real mean!
Oh, yes. The place is haunted. The most often encountered ghost is an old miner who evidently never wanted to leave the old hotel.
At any rate, I thought I'd share some thoughts on one of my favorite haunts. If you're ever in Tombstone, drop in. You won't be disappointed. Cheers!
John
