Where Jackson's Secrets Were Kept
In Gold Rush-era Jackson, the "oldest profession" wasn't hidden—it was woven into the fabric of daily life. Beneath the streets of Main Street, the Scarlet Sisters and Filles de Joie entertained miners fresh from the Kennedy and Argonaut mines, their quarters discreetly labeled as "girls' dormitories" on official city maps.
When Saloon 1848 was renovated, the owners discovered what lay beneath—a hidden brothel with small rooms called "cribs" surrounding a central area, the original layout preserved behind decades of plaster. The 21-inch-thick Mother Lode brick walls had kept their secrets well.
Today, The Old Brothel Bar honors this racy past while offering a refined, luxurious speakeasy experience. The same subterranean space that once hosted Jackson's most notorious trade now welcomes you for top-shelf craft cocktails and an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else in Gold Country.
