Kirkland Bar & Steakhouse

If you appreciate the history and the atmosphere of days gone by, this place is a must visit.
The food is excellent and the owners (Herb & Barbara) are one of the nicest and most genuine couples in Arizona. The staff are also very pleasant and attentive.
Don’t pay any attention to the review written by BM (bowel movement obsession?) Common courtesy for using an establishment’s restroom is to purchase something. Worst case-​leave a couple dollars on the bar you walked by to get to the restroom.
Don’t let the lack of cars out in front fool you. Stop in and stay awhile!

I would never eat here because of the way we were treated when a friend and I stopped there several weeks ago. Its many miles between businesses open to the public in that area and two of us stopped there. While one stayed out side making a phone call I entered and used the restroom then exited to ask my friend what we were going to do. Eat or drink something inside or continue on our way.
The owner followed me out yelling at me saying I should have read the sign on the door, he was sick and tired of people using his restrooms with out buying something for the last 18 years. He was mad and returned inside before we could have a conversation. The entire parking lot had two cars in it and I only saw three customers. He certainly could have said what he wanted to say without being mad about it.
Of course, we decide NOT to eat or go back inside. Little did he know that the other person with me is a retired AZ building inspector.
In the Building codes adopted by Yavapai County and most other Cities and States. It’s actually against the law for any business open to the public to refuse access to any occupant.
Code section [P] 502.5 Public toilet facilities. Public toilet facilities shall be maintained in a safe sanitary and working condition in accordance with the International Plumbing Code. Except for periodic maintenance or cleaning, public access and use shall be provided to the toilet facilities at all times during occupancy of the premises.
This law is about human dignity and empathy for a fellow human being. Why does there have to be a law?
Any money he would collect is a punishment or penalty for not eating there because it would do nothing towards maintaining the facilities since he is required to do that anyway. Should I have asked how much for number one or number two, is there a difference? if you hand the cashier some money does it go in his/​her pocket or into the cash register or to the janitor?
I have family and friends who have IBS and Crohns. Can you imagine what life in the U.S. would be like if all businesses refused to allow people to use restrooms with out standing in a cashiers line waiting for your turn so you can ask for permission and the keys or combination. Or being told you must take a seat and wait for the waitress to bring you a menu so you can order before using the restroom. People with IBS or Crohns or an over active bladder don’t have time to stand around waiting for permission. I understand that some businesses are near areas with a large homeless population, but that’s not most area’s of our country and that’s a social problem the business owners need to take up with their elected officials.
Another option I guess is to relieve ones self on the side of the road but if cited and found guilty in some jurisdictions you will be classified as a sex offender.
This is no way to run a business and certainly not good PR. If this is an indication of how he runs it we will never return. I hope he changes this policy immediately.
The other person with me had eaten there before and said it was «Ok». We go by there several times a year but he has lost us an anyone we know as customers as long as he has this policy.

We stopped in while riding by on a Friday afternoon and had a great time with these folks. They had some good cold beers on tap and some great conversation with the owners Barb and Herb. The other couple gals working there were very nice and friendly as well. Very cool bar with a lot of character and history. If you are driving out that way it is a Great Stop!

It was the most delicious steak. Melt in your mouth rib eye exactly like I like it. Rare.

Herb is awesome! He’s such a great host and cooked our steaks perfectly. This is our second time here and it’s always great to escape the valley and get to enjoy some historic sites before they are gone. Don’t miss out stopping in for a beer, a steak, or pull off the trifecta and spend the night. The rooms are basic but it’s all about the experience of what the old west was like and who knows what actually happened there?

I have been to this place several times, and generally liked it very much. Previous reviews I’ve given it 5 stars. I don’t know what the hell happened last night. We took friends there who have never been. We were hoping that an enjoyable time could be had by all. Not so.
First, it was incredibly hot in the entire restaurant. My guess is the swamp coolers were broken, and the owner did not have or want to spend the money to fix them. It was well over 90 degrees in there. The waitress said it was well over 100 degrees in the kitchen. I guess that’s why the wait staff was moving so slowly and inefficiently.
The food oder got screwed up a bit, one in our party had to wait far too long for his food, and then had to send it back to get it right.
The jukebox was way too loud. It was very difficult to carry on a conversation.
There was only one pool cue in the entire joint that had felt on the tip.
Oh, and the bats. Did I mention the bats in the restaurant?
I really do hate to post a negative review on such nice people. But this place is slipping.

Hot, stinky and rude. I was really bummed after driving all the way from Phx to experience what I thought was going to be a special night, filled with great food, a live band and memories of a special Father’s Day trip. What we were greeted by was sweltering heat, and no service. We had a reservation, and waited an hour and half past that time and never even saw our waitress. I finally spoke with the bar tender who was a nasty rude woman who snapped at me and said they would be with us as soon as they could. I advised her we had a reservation and still waited and hour and a half. Her response was that they had 80 reservations tonight. I responded by saying, Isn’t that the point of making a reservation, so you know what to prepare for? This place was not even close to being full. And, as busy as they were the owner/​grill master still found time to get to the bar to refill his Jack and Coke. We walked out hungry, sweaty and stinking of grill smoke. They not only lost revenue from our purchase, I had also planned on buying a gift certificate. Don’t waste your time on this one.

I was charged 8% to use my debit card, that is just outrageous and we won’t be back!

GREAT place to grab a steak or burger, both are phenomenal. Driving back and forth for University, I’ll occasionally go through Kirkland to eat here. They accept credit cards, old and authentic atmosphere, and low key. It’s worth the detour.

It is a neat little place that cooks steaks on a wood fire grill where you can actually see your steak being cooked. I thought that was pretty cool. The steaks were okay. Mine was cooked to order, but it didn’t have much seasoning. The baked potatoes were awesome, and my daughter who is a year and a half loved the fried macaroni and cheese triangles that came with the appetizer sampler. The only issue I had was that it seemed dark and dingy. They really need to clean their light fixtures. Overall the service was good and attentive and very friendly.

Great ribeye steak

The best shrimp I’ve ever had (whole family agreed). I don’t know how Barb makes them but they are cooked in butter and taste like lobster. The fried oysters are huge and delicious. I asked them to make me a combo meal of the 2. Incredible. Dinner on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.

We were here on 9÷15÷12 and we were so excited to eat here again as 7 of our party of 8 had not been back for years. Anticipation for mouth watering steaks and good olé Wild West ambience. However, the rib eye steaks were very thin as the cook/​owner was seen cutting them thinner. Some were not rare but raw seared. I ordered a New York Strip and was served a raw rib eye. I could only eat 2 bites and let a friend take it home for his dogs.
Mixed drinks were watered down or weak. The bar was empty yet the bartender served the weak, mixed drinks in plastic tumblers, saying she was so busy and her bar glasses were not washed. The restaurant was also not busy at this time (7 pm), so we were shocked to have so much wrong with the food, drinks and overall service. We had reservations so to all in our group this was inexcusable and totally unprofessional for an established business. I have to at least give them 1 Star as it is unable to post without a rating. I will leave on a positive note and say the place appeared clean.

Friendly owners and service, historic building, cold beer and great steaks. I can’t ask for much more. As another reviewer said, walking in here feels like stepping back in time. The building itself is well over 100 years old – see if they’ll let you check out the massive old vault and safe where they kept miners’ wages. The railroad spur outside is where local ranchers would load up cattle for sale. Miners and ranchers from all over the area would come here for food, drink, and sleep. So the Kirkland Bar/​Steakhouse/​Hotel has been in the center of it all for a long, long time. A very cool piece of old west history.
The bar is open Weds through Sunday from 11:00 AM until ??, and is worth the five mile detour from Arizona 89 just to check the old place out while you slake your thirst. The steakhouse is only serving dinner on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The steaks are fresh cut, local beef cooked over a mesquite fire producing fantastic flavor. They’re served with a salad, potato, and another side of your choice. Prices are reasonable, in the $ 15 – 25 range for big steaks with all the fixings. Herb is the owner and the grill master and he couldn’t be nicer – not to mention he cooks a perfect steak.
The place is usually very quiet – in fact, in my 5 or so visits, there have been a couple times where my group is the only one there. But don’t let that make you think the food isn’t good, or the prices are high. It’s just an out-​of-​the-​way, Old Arizona outpost that unfortunately a lot of people don’t know about. Definitely worth a visit whether you’re an out-​of-​state tourist or an Arizonan checking out the state’s quirky and historic back country.

The Fantastic Mr. «It’s Complicated» whisked me away for a weekend and promised to show me parts of AZ I’d never seen. First destination was Prescott, and the first stop on the back way to get there was a pit stop/​beer break at the Kirkland Bar and Steakhouse. (And Hotel and Arena.)
It’s old. It’s quirky. It’s where cowboys and bikers come together. And it’s one of the coolest places I think I’ve ever been! Haven’t had a chance to eat here or stay here — YET! But the service is friendly, the beer is cold, and the place is old enough that you can’t help but wonder what stories this building can tell.
From the brochure — built in 1863, Wells Fargo State Stop in 1870. May have been a bordello, was a rail stop, and has been a registered National Historical Site since 1998.
We have the beginnings of a plan to rent out all the hotel rooms and just take the place over for a huge party one weekend. At that point, I will update with a review on the hotel and restaurant — but for now — I can’t wait! This place is a find and speaks to what AZ used to be and still is, if you know where to look!

currently having my abode in prescott, az, whenever i’m wanting a steak that tittilates the tastebuds to say ’ beef… beef…beef’ i go to kirkland… the owner is the cook and will cook your steak anyway you want it… rare w/​cool center… he’ll cook it rare/​med rare. bordering on the cool center… and the taste, you don’t want to eat beef unless it really TASTES like beef… that would be kirkland bar and steakhouse… its the best in no az so far

Super Duper steaks. None better. Well, Mastro’s comes close, I guess. We just keep going back. Great burgers, too, but a little expensive for a burger.
Great classic country music on the jukebox.

Great ambiance! I was the only person here on a cool overcast day. The pot belly stove was warming to the soul as I drank my frosty beverage and downed a braut. The bartender must have know the Earp brothers. This place is like stepping back one hundred years and after a good long ride on the harley, you’ll be glad you stopped.

After a fairly bracing ride up from Phoenix via US93 and then the cut across to Bagdad, the Triumph Ratpack found themselves at this establishment.
From the outside, it looks a little beat up and worn down, but as soon as you walk in you are greeted by the ambience of the place. There is a large formal restaurant area one side of the central bar island and an informal and cozy bar area resplendent with a cast iron woodburner, sofa’s and pool tables on the other. A large collection of assorted knicknacks, pictures, et al cover the walls.
The service was very friendly, helpful and brisk with the food following shortly behind the order taking. The food itself (at lunchtime) is simple bar fare, burgers (served with a salad to start), pizza, etc; but it was all excellently prepared, fresh and tasty — certainly a few steps up from your local drive thru.