The Red Dog Saloon was
originally built in 1946 as part of the Pioneertown film set and has operated through many peculiar eras of high desert history.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, hundreds of world famous Westerns were filmed right here in Pioneertown. The Red Dog Saloon was featured in many of them, but was also built as a real operational saloon for the Hollywood crews to unwind and enjoy. Check out the Pioneertown Sun for an exhaustive list of films.
For over a decade, crews from Hollywood would fly out to Pioneertown for filming, but there were other motives. Pioneertown was a world away from the flashing lights and prying eyes of Los Angeles. Pioneertown quickly became a respite for major movie stars and the Red Dog Saloon was at the heart of it all. After filming wrapped, Gene Autry would kick up a poker game in Room # 9 at the Pioneertown Motel and then the singing cowboys would head over to the “Dog.” Live piano roared, the singing cowboys sang, dance and drank the night away under the stars.
Pioneertown was built in part as a film set, but also had ambitions of becoming a community and tourist destination. While many of the facades on Mane Street are just that, some were built to operate. The Pioneertown Motel, Red Dog Saloon, Pioneer Bowl and Soundstage were among them. Over time, Pioneertown picked up steam with the public and saw the town packed with tourists every weekend. There was an excitement and allure about Pioneertown that always kept folks coming back around.
The Hollywood sheen gave way to big city development dreams that ultimately fell flat. After the sun set on the bigger vision, Pioneertown became a stomping ground for bikers, psychedelic wanderers, homesteaders, hippies, libertarians, street kids, UFO hunters and lost souls those seeking visions and untamed beauty.
Today, the Red Dog Saloon is as bustling as ever. Uniquely situated within the Pioneertown Historic District at the center of Pioneertown, the saloon doors are kicked open by locals and tourists alike. Live music, vinyl disc jockeys and Honky Tonk desert vibes abound bring the town square back to the oversized bar at the Red Dog— just like back in the day.
Take a look at our Events Page for upcoming happenings
and don’t hesitate to stand by for a Margarita on Mane Street.
How to Get Here
We are located in Pioneertown’s Historic District. Access the Red Dog Saloon off of Pioneertown Road.
53539 Mane St, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Open every day, except Tuesday and Wednesday.