7 Old-School Soda Fountains Still Kicking—Somehow

There was a time when soda fountains were the focal point of many communities; they were places where people could go to get a cold carbonated beverage, share tales, and eat a burger or a scoop of ice cream. There are a few tenacious individuals who continue to pour bubbly drinks in the traditional manner, despite the fact that they have largely disappeared over the course of time. These relics from the past are not merely surviving; rather, they are flourishing as a result of their allure, their associations with the past, and their flavours that are timeless. Here is a list of seven historic soda fountains that are still serving syrupy sodas, malted milkshakes, and retro charm as if it were 1955 all over again.

1. Brent’s Drugs (Jackson, Mississippi)

Established in 1946, Brent’s Drugs is a true Southern institution that has stood the test of time. Originally a neighborhood pharmacy that also featured a soda counter, this establishment has since evolved into a well-liked diner that continues to offer traditional phosphates, shakes, and root beer floats. By virtue of its pastel décor and old booths, you are immediately transported back in time. Visitors come for the history and the nostalgia of the film, as it was featured in The Help. Locals come for the burgers and cherry cokes, while tourists come for the history. It is demonstrated by Brent’s that soda fountains do not just age; rather, they become hipper as time passes.

2. The Pickwick (Greenville, South Carolina)

Since 1933, The Pickwick Soda Fountain has been serving freshly handcrafted sodas to customers while it is tucked away inside a functioning drugstore. This establishment is a time capsule since it continues to offer vanilla cokes, lime rickeys, and banana splits in the same manner that it did ninety years ago. Its counter stools are still in their original form, and it has a vintage cash register. At one end of the counter, there are chemists who fill prescriptions, and on the other end, there are soda jerks who make ice cream floats. That it is one of the few places where you can purchase medicine and a milkshake in the same spot is a testament to the fact that it is a rare combination of utility and charm.

3. Crown Candy Kitchen (St. Louis, Missouri)

Ever since its founding in 1913, Crown Candy Kitchen has been serving up towering sundaes and malts that are crafted by hand. The soda fountain is more than just a soda fountain; it is a landmark since it has tin ceilings, marble counters, and a menu that is right out of the past. Their legendary BLTs are stacked like there is no other place, and the malts are so thick that you will need a spoon to dig into them. Every single item, from chocolate phosphates to fresh banana smoothies, gives the impression that it was produced with a sense of pride. Since it is one of the oldest soda fountains that is still in operation, it continues to enjoy the same level of popularity that it did more than a century ago.

4. Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain (South Pasadena, California)

Since the 1910s, Fair Oaks Pharmacy has maintained its traditional soda counter, which is characterized by its black-and-white tiles and glass jars filled with candies. This establishment is a fixture in the state of California. Everything from root beer floats to sundaes topped with whipped cream and hot fudge can be found at the soda fountain, which serves a wide variety of beverages. It is a throwback that is suitable for families, where children stare at the display with wide eyes and parents order cherry limeades for the sake of recalling earlier times. The establishment is brimming with allure, history, and hearty helpings of the past that are served in a glass that has been iced.

5. Zaharakos (Columbus, Indiana)

There is more to Zaharakos than simply a soda fountain; it is a full-fledged museum dedicated to the history of soda. Stained-glass decorations that are original to the establishment, an orchestrion (a mechanical music machine), and an ancient marble counter are some of the features that it possesses. Both the green rivers and the hand-drawn ice cream floats, as well as the sodas, are true representations of the setting. The atmosphere is reminiscent of entering a storybook, and the staff members are dressed in white uniforms. Zaharakos is a restaurant that honors the age of soda fountains in the United States of America. They serve up nostalgia by the glass and scoop up delight with each and every order.

6. Doumar’s Cones and Barbecue (Norfolk, Virginia)

Doumar’s, which is located in Virginia and is home to the world’s first waffle cone maker, has been a mainstay in the state since the early 1900s. The floats, shakes, and traditional cones that are prepared fresh every day on the original iron machine at this drive-in soda fountain have earned it a well-deserved reputation. Both the carhop service and the nostalgic menu, which features items such as thick milkshakes and barbecue sandwiches, help to maintain the authenticity of the establishment. The allure is clear, regardless of whether you choose to eat in your car or at the counter. Despite the proliferation of drive-throughs, it is a living demonstration that the culture of soda fountains can endure.

7. Bluebird Soda Fountain (Buena Vista, Colorado)

With its hand-mixed sodas and vintage sweets, Bluebird Soda Fountain re-creates the enchantment of the Americana aesthetic that was prevalent in small towns. You will feel as though you have travelled back in time to the 1950s thanks to the setting, which is characterised by traditional stools, a chequerboard floor, and retro furnishings. Phosphate sodas, chocolate malts, and ice cream floats are all things that may be found on their menu, and they are all prepared with a traditional approach. Visitors come to take in the ambiance, while locals come to enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of pie. In addition to being a place to reminisce, Bluebird is also a neighborhood gathering place that has a lot of heart.