OPENS AT 11AM, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WINTER HOURS: CLOSED TUESDAY'S
The Thirsty Prospector - Historic Downtown Sonora - Tuolumne
Today, The Thirsty Prospector has a theme of selling beer, some antiques, books and ice cream. The plan is to have unique promotions, such as trading a stack of books for a beer, book exchanges, book readings and live music.
Taking up new residence in Downtown Sonora is The Thirsty Prospector. This piece of Sonora is rich in history and goes clear back to 1850. This is the second oldest building in Sonora, with the City Hotel that resides next door being the oldest. Both of these buildings have survived the test of time as well as trial by fire, due to both buildings being constructed from stone.
Originally, this building was a general store when it first opened its doors, selling clothing and tools to the plethora of miners seeking their fortune here in the cold country. Virginian, Rueben Pasteur, ran the establishment.
In the 1880’s, Charles Bowle, operated an oyster bar on the site before it was run as dry goods, clothing and a carpet store. After it spent its time as a general mercantile, ownership was changed as well as the business.
The building became home to the Bank of Italy next, from 1920 to 1932. There were many tunnels that connected buildings under Sonora, and one of those tunnels tied into the basement of the bank. Miners were able to bring their gold to the bank, while avoiding suspicion on the surface. Today, the building has a spot where you can look into one of the old tunnels that runs under Washington Street.
This building then retired as a bank and switched rolls to becoming a bar called the Mountain Club. In the 1950’s, the bar had rumors of illegal gambling in the basement but was eventually put to a stop when local law enforcement caught on to it.
Through time, the name of the bar changed many times, yet the bar remained. The building was in very bad condition and required major renovations. As time passed, the bar became a very rough place and was closed in 2003.
From 2003 to 2020, the building was owned by Legends, a book and antique store. In December of 2020, the building was purchased under new ownership.
Within the building today, there is a bar that has stood the toll of time. Made in Italy in 1850, the mahogany bar that reaches to the ceiling, was shipped to Chicago for use. In 1871 a massive fire shredded the city of Chicago. This bar miraculously survived the fire and moved on to a new home. The bar was then purchased by a new owner and was shipped to San Fransisco via Cape Horn’s long route, around South America by ship. The bar was then relocated to San Francisco’s financial district. In 1906, disaster struck again.
The great earthquake of 1906 ripped San Fransisco apart, leaving it in shambles. Again, the bar held together and survived the quake. After the shaking stopped, the bar was put into storage in a San Fransisco warehouse to be forgotten.
Luckily, the mahogany bar was not forgotten. It was purchased yet again and brought to its current home, in Sonora around 1950. It has resided in place since.
Lisa Hedges (left), co-owner of The Thirsty Prospector at 131 S. Washington Street and employee Shari Busalacchi, show off the 12 new beers taps at the business formerly known as Legends.
THE THIRSTY PROSPECTOR @ 131 S. WASHINGTON
An antique building dating back to 1850 with a beautiful backbar imported from Italy in 1850. Serving beer on tap and ice cream by the scoop! Our "underground" cavern and passageway date to the gold mining days and has been converted to a bookstore. We offer antiques, collectibles, a variety of rocks, and toys!
TUOLUMNE COUNTY LOCAL GUIDE REVIEWS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"I recently visited the Thirsty Prospector. What first hit me was the look of the shop. The ambiance is astounding! There is a whole antique area as well as a downstairs sort of bunker type library. It smells of history and books down there. Upstairs they play old-timey country music and sell ice-cream and drinks behind the bar. They have
"I recently visited the Thirsty Prospector. What first hit me was the look of the shop. The ambiance is astounding! There is a whole antique area as well as a downstairs sort of bunker type library. It smells of history and books down there. Upstairs they play old-timey country music and sell ice-cream and drinks behind the bar. They have many classic flavors such as mocha almond fudge, chocolate chip cookie dough and mint chip among others. I tried the peanut butter fudge single scoop for 3$ and coffee flavor. They packed the ice cream to the brim of both cups and the flavor was very strong. I really enjoyed the coffee though the peanut was good as well and tasted very natural. If you are looking for a cool place to wander and have a sweet treat I highly recommend this place"
A.H. April 2023
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"Large selection of books, historic gold mine below and delicious ice cream above. A must see in Sonora." G.K. March 2022
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"Just starting out with new ownership. Absolutely beautiful building with so much history. Downstairs there are shelves and shelves of used books with comfy couches and remnants of history on the walls and nooks and crannies. A great saloon bar upstairs serving ice cream for now and lots more coming soon. It’s a must visit if you’re passing through Sonora downtown!"
S.C.H. August 2021
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"2nd oldest building in Sonora is back pouring some good beers and ice cream available too!" V.Q. April 2022
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"An unassuming place with thousands of books, old National Geographic magazines (a friend bought one from 1931 in mint condition), shoes, and vintage travel suitcase from the 1950's which another friend bought (which belonged to the owner's parents). Everything arranged neatly upstairs and downstairs. The owner is great to chat with too. Anyone can easily spend an hour here." C.T. August 2022
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"Love this historic spot! Family friendly place to grab a snack and a bear!" D.L. October 2022
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"One of the coolest little shops in Sonora. You can buy an old-fashioned sarsaparilla and head downstairs to the "library". Can also see parts of the underground tunnels in downtown. Stop in. You won't be disappointed." N.F. January 2022
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"The greatest antique/ice cream shop I have ever been no words can explain how good this place is. Plus the people working there are the nicest." A.G. July 2021
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
FIVE STARS
"Very cool place. Fun to wander and explore." D.P. April 2022