Heinhold's First
and Last Chance Bar in Oakland: Jack
London's Rendezvous
Oakland--Heinhold's First and Last
Chance Bar at the foot of Webster Street at
Oakland's Jack London Square operates as a
one-room bar today, as it has for over a
century since it first opened. Built in 1880
from the remains of an old whaling ship, it
was first used as a bunkhouse for the men
working the oyster beds off the east shore
of the San Francisco Bay.
Today, this humble place sits on the
paved walkway along the Oakland waterfront.
Easy to overlook, it could easily be a
remnant of another time and guests might
miss it completely if they didn't know it
continues to serve drinks to customers as it
has for well over 100 years.
When you enter the bar, you have to step
down. The floor slopes prominently from the
entryway to the other end of the room, due
to years of settling. Inside is a small bar,
a couple wooden tables and chairs, and a
little bathroom. Secret: Beware should
you choose to use the watering closet. The
bartender has a microphone and can surprise
you with broadcasts into the tiny room. It's
really funny! The walls are plastered with
memorabilia of the prominent guests who have
visited.
In 1883 Johnny Heinhold bought the old
building for $100 and cleared out the
bunkbeds. He called his new establishment
the First and Last Chance Saloon. Heinhold
operated the little shack as a bar for 50
years. Salty dogs and serious writers were
attracted to the little wooden house to soak
up the character and charm of the place,
along with the kinship of the Heinhold,
himself.
Jack London frequented the saloon and
wrote this:
Dear Johnny,
I am glad you
like the stuff the Saturday Evening Post is
publishing. Farther along in it I say all
kinds of things about you. One thing you
will especially remember, how you loaned me
money when I started to high school and the
University. I bring all that into the story.
Say, when are
you going to take a run up to see us on the
ranch? I shall always look for your coming
and shall be disappointed if you do not
come.
Sincerely yours,
Jack London
Robert Louis Stevenson was another
customer who felt right at home at this
welcoming saloon. Joaquin Miller and Rex
Beach were also authors who came for a drink
and some kinship.
Johnny Heinhold passed away in 1933,
after surviving the Prohibition and seeing
the return of legal alcoholic beverage. He
kept the place open during the Prohibition,
serving sasparilla and snacks.
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