By Lulu

Boot Hill Saloon opened on Main Street in Daytona Beach 50 YEARS AGO in 1973! Years come and go quickly, but anyone who has ever owned a business knows it takes hard work, determination, and endurance to keep a business alive through good times and bad. Karin Gehris, owner of the world-famous Boot Hill Saloon since 1989 has enjoyed the good times and has kept moving forward through some major hurdles including hurricanes and the Covid Pandemic. If you were at the Boot prior to 2011 you would remember the TINY bathrooms. A major remodel has given the place great bathrooms and still the old school charm of the world-famous bar. Most of the memorabilia in the bar has been donated by patrons over the years. In 2005 Karin opened the Boot Hill in Laconia N.H but sold it last year. Many still do not know that Boot Hill now has food and are happy to fill hungry bellies. Boot Hill Outpost on US 1 in Ormond Beach is open for Bike Week and Biketoberfest.

Boot Hill on Main St. had been different businesses in the past including a Foosball Parlor, barber shop, a church, The Kit Kat Club and even been the site of embalming for the graveyard across the street. This bar has been featured in David Mann artwork, Rolling Stone Magazine featured photos of “The Coolest Bar,” the Wall Street Journal and its tag line on a bumper sticker “Better Off Here Than Across the Street” has been spotted on the Eiffel Tower in France! I have been told many stories over the years of famous and infamous asses sitting on bar stools in The Boot. Dan Hagerty “Grizzly Adams” told me of sitting at Boot Hill Saloon with Malcolm Forbes on one side of him and a guy born in a state penitentiary on the other. Dan said that is what he loved about bikers! And we all know of the famous killer Eileen Wuornos’ bra hanging in the bar for all these years.

Boot Hill is known for its live music, T-shirts and in the Daytona area for community involvement with poker runs and charity. Karin is often on the bike riding on events at other bars too. Wednesday night is bike night at Boot Hill with live music! So, any time of the year The Boot Hill is the place to party.

Coming as part of the 50 years celebration is Bike Week with 3 stages (including one at Boot Hill Outpost on US 1) with 60 bands already booked! Headliners will be March 3rd Twinkle Rock Soul Radio, March 4th Nova Rex named one of VH1 Top 50 80s hair bands, March 10th Hardwire premiere Metallica tribute band and March 11th KISS IT everything KISS tribute. Emcee Jonnie “Tumbleweed” will be the Master of Ceremonies who has emceed at Buffalo Chip in Sturgis. Stacy, Anna Lee, Sarah, Ashley, Kelly, Joanie, Akemi & Taylor will be slinging your favorite drinks and look forward to seeing you! Don’t forget to dust off your oldest Boot Hill T-shirt for the oldest T-shirt contest during Bike Week. Karin expressed a special thank you to sponsors Fran Haasch law group, Twisted Tea, Beach 92.7, Camp Easy Rider, River City Wrestling Con, and Rider Now Magazine. Now come out for the party all year long at Boot Hill Saloon and wish them a happy 50th birthday!