Long Time Havana Bar
The Stag Tap bar in Havana has a long history. So long, in fact, even the owner, Todd Schaeffer doesn't know the whole story. He purchased the bar in 1986 from Edo Long, who was ready to retire. Prior to that Edo's father, Ed Long owned the bar. Way before that it was called Kipp's, and that's sort of where the tracing of history ends. He is pretty sure that a lot of drinking and a lot of gambling went on behind those walls.
Reminiscing a few old stories, he recounts that when his family first purchased the bar, there was only one really bad, small bathroom. "That got fixed immediately, and we put in two restrooms right away - that was the first improvement!" He also explains that the bar was a men only bar for a very long time, and that women were first allowed into the bar on New Year's Day and then later on Oktoberfest weekend as well. Women used to stand outside the door of the bar and try to catch a man going in to pass a message to her husband that it was time to come home! In the late 1970's it became a co-ed bar forever!
For a long time the Stag Bar only occupied one building, the South side, and there was a small card room in the back of the North storefront building where Bob Arnold had a barber shop in the front half. Todd recounts "In about 1992, we took out the barber shop and expanded the bar. We knocked out a wall and gained a lot of space and now occupy the full area of both buildings. It gave us the room for two more pool tables, extra tables and stools and most importantly an area to feature live music. From then on, we had live bands and music!"
"In 2006, we decided we should acquire the empty lots on Main Street and do something with it. For years the lots were just sandy, empty lots with a broken down fence along the sidewalk of Main Street, and it just seemed like the right thing to do. You could walk right out the back door of the bar and have access to the lots. We bought the lots and made a Beer Garden out there. We have done improvements and made it better every year, and in summer 2019, when we added Sunday Fundays with live music in the garden every Sunday afternoon, things really exploded. It brings a lot of life to the downtown, and it's just a great area to relax outside and enjoy a beer and some food cooked on the grill!"
The Stag is just one of those homecoming places. It's Havana's favorite bar, and everyone likes to come back to catch up with old friends and Havana natives, but it's just as good for visitors. Everyone is friendly and just wants to have some fun!
Reminiscing a few old stories, he recounts that when his family first purchased the bar, there was only one really bad, small bathroom. "That got fixed immediately, and we put in two restrooms right away - that was the first improvement!" He also explains that the bar was a men only bar for a very long time, and that women were first allowed into the bar on New Year's Day and then later on Oktoberfest weekend as well. Women used to stand outside the door of the bar and try to catch a man going in to pass a message to her husband that it was time to come home! In the late 1970's it became a co-ed bar forever!
For a long time the Stag Bar only occupied one building, the South side, and there was a small card room in the back of the North storefront building where Bob Arnold had a barber shop in the front half. Todd recounts "In about 1992, we took out the barber shop and expanded the bar. We knocked out a wall and gained a lot of space and now occupy the full area of both buildings. It gave us the room for two more pool tables, extra tables and stools and most importantly an area to feature live music. From then on, we had live bands and music!"
"In 2006, we decided we should acquire the empty lots on Main Street and do something with it. For years the lots were just sandy, empty lots with a broken down fence along the sidewalk of Main Street, and it just seemed like the right thing to do. You could walk right out the back door of the bar and have access to the lots. We bought the lots and made a Beer Garden out there. We have done improvements and made it better every year, and in summer 2019, when we added Sunday Fundays with live music in the garden every Sunday afternoon, things really exploded. It brings a lot of life to the downtown, and it's just a great area to relax outside and enjoy a beer and some food cooked on the grill!"
The Stag is just one of those homecoming places. It's Havana's favorite bar, and everyone likes to come back to catch up with old friends and Havana natives, but it's just as good for visitors. Everyone is friendly and just wants to have some fun!
Stag Tap owners Todd & Kelli Schaeffer
