Rock Inn

At 88, the eclectic roadhouse in Lake Hughes continues to welcome travelers.

Joel Hurd’s luck couldn’t have been much worse. When he managed the Lake Hughes General Store, it was destroyed by a fire in 1928. Fortuitously, Hurd decided to build his next store from stone, making it unlikely to succumb to flames. Thus, The Rock Inn was born in 1929 just at the start of the Great Depression.

The Rock Inn has weathered many ups and downs, including a wildfire in 2013, and yet it still stands as a testament to the tenacity of the human spirit and the draw of good food and drink.

Located in Lakes Hughes, 20 miles west of Lancaster, The Rock Inn is run by husband-and-wife team Warren and Wendy St. John. They pride themselves in maintaining the vintage atmosphere of this historic roadhouse. You’ll usually find an exotic collection of classic motorcycles out front, since The Rock Inn is a favorite hangout of enthusiasts who savor the ride up into the hills nearly as much as the cold beer which greets them when they arrive.

Inside, a hearty menu is served throughout the day, along with a healthy helping of nostalgia. Neon signs tout the bar’s favorite pours while a stag’s head oversees friendly Eight-ball tourneys in the alcove. Visitors of all kinds sing its praises online, earning it a solid four out of five stars on both Yelp and TripAdvisor. The Rock Inn is open daily with live entertainment on most weekends.