Bird Cage Theatre - Tombstone

The Bird Cage was the most famous Honky-Tonk in America between 1881 and 1889. The New York Times referred to it in 1882 as the wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast.

The bar is flanked by a dumb waiter that sent drinks upstairs to the ladies of the night and their clients. Today it exists as Tombstone's only remaining bar of the 1880's in its original building. There are 140 bullet holes in the walls and ceilings resulting from the 16 gunfights that took place in the building.

The Human Fly seen in the image below refers to part of the show put on by the women working the establishment. They would launch themselves out of the balcony upside down and with any luck their shoes would stick to the ceiling from magnets in their shoes.

The original narrow, steep stairs leading up to the second floor.

The longest poker game in western history was played at the Bird Cage. It was a house game and players had to buy a $1,000 minimum in chips for a seat in the game. The game ran continually for 8 years, 5 months and 3 days. The poker table still stands as it was left with its chairs on the dirt floor downstairs.