The Genoa Bar in Genoa, Nevada [Reno vicinity] was established in 1853. It’s been visited by many famous people including Raquel Welch in the 1960s, who noticed the hundreds of bras hanging from the ceiling. She was curious.
The bartender explained that they were left by the bar’s many patrons through the years and had become a Genoa Bar tradition. After the American sex symbol had tasted a few drinks, the bartender asked if she would do the watering hole the honor of leaving her bra. After pondering for a short while, Raquel agreed but on one condition — that if she left it all the others had to be taken down; only hers would be displayed. The bartender agreed.
SOURCE: Martin T. Smith, author of The Nevada Outhouse Trivia Book and the proprietor of the very interesting Flag Store in Sparks, Nevada.
Watch the video for more about the bar and the bra:
It’s funny. We live about a half hour from this bar (Carson City) and we’ve only been there once.
Just remember that the name of the town in Nevada is pronounced je-no’-ah, not je’-no-ah as in Italy.
Thanks, Adrienne! I would never have guessed that (not that I’m going either place anytime soon). 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com