Broadway Tavern: A Local Bar with a Connection to History

Located at 123 North Broadway in Central City, Illinois, Broadway Tavern is part of the greater Centralia area’s local bar scene—and its building has a story that reaches beyond the present day.

According to a historical account shared by See Centralia, Abraham Lincoln is believed to have delivered a brief speech from the building during his September 1858 visit to the Illinois State Fair. At the time, the property was a beer garden. While the account is presented as a historical belief rather than a confirmed event, it adds an interesting connection to the community’s past.

Today, Broadway Tavern continues to give residents and visitors a place to gather in Central City. Hockey fans may also recognize its name from the St. Louis Blues’ official list of participating Blues bars.

For those exploring bars near Centralia, Broadway Tavern offers an opportunity to visit a Chamber member with a distinctive local history.

Check Broadway Tavern’s Facebook page for current hours and updates, or call 618-918-2595.