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All the United States Massachusetts Lowell Worthen House Cafe
Gastro Obscura

Worthen House Cafe

The oldest tavern in Lowell has dedicated fans of its fan.

Lowell, Massachusetts

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kelseydicicco
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The belts and pulleys of the fan system.   Courtesy of Worthen House Café
  Jane023/Public Domain
The historic fan.   Courtesy of Worthen House Café
  Jane023
  Courtesy of Worthen House Café
  mattl.22/Used with permission
The SLBMC meeting at The Worthen House Cafe   p0ppyj0e26 / Atlas Obscura User
  kelseydicicco / Atlas Obscura User
  kelseydicicco / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Edgar Allan Poe and Jack Kerouac may have been patrons at this historic tavern, the first such establishment in Lowell, Massachusetts, but the real draw of Worthen House Café is its pulley-driven fan system. Firetruck-red and gleaming against the cafe's original pressed-tin ceiling, the fan system is one of the last remaining such contraptions in the United States. A complex network of belts and pulleys work in symphony to move the two decorative paddles of the fan, which was originally propelled by steam and now runs on electric. Ask nicely, and the bartender will turn it on.

Built in 1834 the Worthen House once served as a dried goods store and was converted to a hotel and tavern in 1889. It remained staunchly anti-establishment during the Prohibition years, hiding alcohol in false wall panels behind the mahogany bar, still preserved today. Legend goes that Poe was lodging in the upstairs quarters of the tavern while working on parts of "The Raven." There are whispers of a ghost haunting the upper floors, whom the bar staff, welcoming of all spirits irrespective of alcohol content, have lovingly named "Matthew." Despite this rich history, one that has earned Worthen House a spot in the National Register of Historic Places, the café is just as much a beloved local hangout as it is a popular stop for visiting history buffs. 

The cafe serves typical bar foods such as burgers and sandwiches and there's an impressive list of martinis that sound like dessert (Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Key Lime Pie, Chocolatini) in addition to cocktails and beer.

Related Tags

Bars Unique Restaurants & Bars Edgar Allan Poe Ghosts Haunted

Know Before You Go

Worthen House is open 365 days a year, from 11:00 a.m. to midnight, Sunday to Wednesday, and 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. The upstairs rooms can be rented out for private events and musical performances.

Community Contributors

Added By

kelseydicicco

Edited By

Rohini Chaki, p0ppyj0e26

  • Rohini Chaki
  • p0ppyj0e26

Published

March 29, 2019

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Sources
  • http://howlmag.com/ghosts-guinness-grub/
  • http://www.worthenhousecafe.com/timeline
  • http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_27393071/125-years-ghosts-beer-and-poe
Worthen House Cafe
141 Worthen St
Lowell, Massachusetts, 01852
United States
42.645649, -71.31417
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