A soda bar, also sometimes called a soda fountain, is a place where soda drinks and ice cream floats are prepared and served. Soda bars became popular in the late 19th century with the rise of carbonated beverages, and were a mainstay of drugstores and ice cream parlors for decades. While not as ubiquitous as they once were, some traditional soda bars still exist today.
History of the Soda Bar
The first soda bars started appearing in the late 1800s, coinciding with the increasing popularity and availability of carbonated water and flavored sodas. Before this time, most beverages were plain water, milk, coffee, tea, beer or spirits. The invention of artificially carbonated water in the 1700s started the bubbly drink trend, but it was the development of flavored sodas, along with mechanical soda fountains, that really gave rise to the soda bar.
Pharmacies and apothecaries were some of the first establishments to install soda fountains in the mid-1800s. They could make carbonated mineral water and add syrups to create flavored sodas and drinks like lemonades and fruit ades. These drinks were believed to be healthy and provide medicinal benefits. Soda fountains with marble countertops and spigots became ornate, prized features of pharmacies.
In the early 1900s, soda fountains started spreading beyond pharmacies into confectionary shops, parlors, department stores and luncheonettes. Instead of being seen just as a health drink, soda was now a trendy treat. The restaurants with soda fountains came to be known as “soda fountains” or simply “soda bars.” Soda jerks, often teenage boys, operated the fountains and developed flair while mixing and serving drinks. This era marked the golden age of the soda fountain.
What Drinks Were Served at Soda Bars?
Classic sodas and flavored carbonated drinks were the stars of the soda fountains. Some popular options included:
- Coca-Cola
- Root beer
- Lemon-lime sodas like 7Up
- Cherry colas
- Phosphate sodas – carbonated drinks with phosphate salts that gave them a tangy flavor
- Sarsaparilla – a root beer-like soda
- Ginger ale
- Orange soda
- Grape soda
- Cream sodas
The soda jerks could combine carbonated water and syrups to make custom-flavored sodas for customers as well. Popular combo flavors included cherry-vanilla, orange-pineapple and lime rickey.
In addition to sodas, soda bars served:
- Ice cream floats – soda with a scoop of ice cream
- Ice cream sodas – soda with ice cream syrups and whip cream
- Phosphates – carbonated drinks made with phosphate salts
- Lemonades, limeades and fruit ades like orangeade or cherryade
- Malted milkshakes and malts
- Flavored milk drinks
- Mineral water and flavored carbonated water
- Juices
- Sparkling juices
- Coffee drinks and hot chocolates
The Rise of Ice Cream Parlors
While soda bars first emerged in pharmacies, by the early 1900s, ice cream parlors started installing elaborate soda fountains too. These fountains drew in customers looking for refreshing drinks to go along with ice cream treats. Soda drinks perfectly complemented sweets and ice cream desserts.
During Prohibition in the 1920s, soda bars and ice cream parlors became even more popular, as people could no longer go to bars for drinks. The soda fountain drinks were an acceptable alcohol-free alternative for social outings.
The Fall of the Soda Bar
Starting in the 1950s, soda bars and old-fashioned soda fountains started to decline, for a few reasons:
- Mass production of bottled sodas became more popular and affordable. Customers could buy their sodas at groceries and drink them anywhere.
- Drive-ins, diners and fast food restaurants competed with soda shops. They also started serving bottled soda versus fountain drinks.
- As sodas became something to buy rather than consume on the spot, the appeal of the ornate soda fountain counters declined.
- With refrigeration, people could make their own ice cream sodas and floats at home. These didn’t have to be consumed immediately like at a soda bar.
- Labor costs made manned soda fountains relatively expensive for restaurants.
While traditional soda bars faded, malt shops and drive-in restaurants became popular teen hangouts in the 1950s, serving bottled sodas and ice cream along with burgers and fries. However, they lacked the old-fashioned ambiance of vintage soda fountains.
Where to Find Retro Soda Bars Today
With the demise of soda fountains, finding an authentic vintage soda bar is rare, but not impossible. Here are some places offering a blast from the past:
- Crown Candy Kitchen in St. Louis, MO – old-fashioned luncheonette still using marble counters and soda equipment from the early 1900s
- Pavilion Ice Cream in Milwaukee, WI – open since 1928, still has counter service and servers known as “soda jerks”
- Watson’s Soda Fountain & Cafe in Monroe, LA – longest operating soda fountain in the nation, opened in 1836
- Franklin Fountain in Philadelphia, PA – opened in 2004 but with vintage decor, costumes and soda jerk service
- Doc’s Soda Fountain in Buena Vista, CO – part of historic 1890s drug store, uses vintage equipment
- Fentons Creamery in Oakland, CA – old-style ice cream parlor making exotic soda flavors like avocado and pink guava
Some burger joints and diners also try to recreate the retro feel of a classic soda bar with counter service and nostalgic decor.
Vintage Soda Bar Culture
Soda bars serve up a dose of nostalgia along with foamy, frothy drinks. Customers can enjoy a classic ice cream float or egg cream while imagining life in a more charming, easygoing era when going to the soda fountain was a beloved tradition. The vintage aesthetics take you back in time:
- Ornate molded tin ceilings and tile floors
- Marble-topped counters with sparkling glassware
- Spinning stools lined up at the counter
- Syrup dispensers and seltzer siphons
- Uniformed employees serving as soda jerks
- Classic tunes playing like ragtime or jazz
- Vintage advertisements and signs for soda brands
Modern soda bars work hard to preserve the old-timey ambiance that harkens back to a classic era of Americana. Visiting a soda bar is like taking a refreshing trip back in time.
The Drink Menu at a Soda Bar
The drink menu was the star of the show at vintage soda fountains. While sodas, floats and phosphates reigned supreme, a good soda bar offered a wide selection of fun, fanciful beverages. Here is an example menu showcasing drinks a soda jerk might have whipped up:
| Drink Category | Sample Drinks |
|---|---|
| Sodas | Coke, root beer, ginger ale, sarsaparilla, orange, cherry, lime, grape |
| Floats | Coke float, root beer float, black & white (Coke with vanilla), purple cow (grape soda with vanilla) |
| Creamy Drinks | Ice cream soda, milkshake, malt, egg cream (milk, chocolate syrup & seltzer), lemon phosphate, fruit phosphate |
| Juices & Ades | Orange juice, grape juice, lime rickey (lime & soda), cherryade, lemonade |
| Coffee Drinks | Coffee soda, vanilla coke, coffee milkshake, iced coffee soda, mocha malt |
| Specialties | Rocky road malt, pink lady (strawberry & vanilla malt), Jamaican jerk (ginger ale, lime & vanilla), sparkling cider |
Soda jerks got creative with unique drink combinations like the “rock ‘n’ rye” – flavored soda with egg whites and rock candy swirling on top. Popular vintage flavors have seen a comeback today like cherry phosphates, egg creams and flavored sodas.
Signature Soda Bar Etiquette
Soda bars came with their own set of customs. Most had a few basic rules of etiquette:
- No seats at the counter were reserved, it was first come, first served. Patrons lined up to grab any free stool.
- Tipping your soda jerk was customary if they gave prompt, quality service.
- Loud, disruptive behavior was frowned upon. Soda bars were casual spots, but not rowdy free-for-alls.
- Respecting the closing time and not staying past hours posted.
- Leaving the counter tidy. Bussing your own glassware and napkins to the provided stand was polite.
- Not sitting at the counter for exceedingly long periods while doing work or reading. The seats were in demand, so loitering was inconsiderate. But staying awhile to chat with a friend or people watch was part of the soda bar appeal.
Soda bars occupied a cozy spot between restaurants and casual hangouts. With tasty drinks, lively crowds and quality service, they became beloved community fixtures for families, couples, students and people of all ages.
Making Your Own Soda Bar
If feeling nostalgic for the old-timey appeal of vintage soda fountains, it’s possible to replicate some of that old soda bar magic at home. You can create a fun retro drinks station with just a few key supplies:
Soda Fountain Machine
A home soda maker creates that authentic carbonation you can’t quite get with plastic bottles or cans of soda. Choose a quality soda machine that allows you to carbonate water and add your own syrups and flavors. Options include:
- SodaStream – add flavored concentrates for classic sodas
- Drinkmate – carbonates and flavors drinks in one machine
- Soda Sense – makes seltzer and has flavoring ports like old machines
- Fizz Giz – simple manual carbonation for small batches
Ice Cream
Gather an assortment of ice cream flavors to get creative with floats and sodas. Vanilla, chocolate and fruit flavors work well. Keep a range of toppings like cherries, sprinkles, chocolate syrup or pineapple chunks to pile on.
Syrups
Search for vintage-style syrups to add flavors like cherry, lime, grape, vanilla, chocolate and more to carbonated water or milkshakes. Brands like Monin, Torani and Trauer have a retro bottled look.
Glassware
Short glasses, tall Collins glasses, milkshake glasses and malt cups give that authentic soda counter vibe. Add paper straws, long spoons and other accessories.
Retro Decor
Play some 50s tunes and break out red and chrome diner-style decorations. For counters, try using a kitchen island, buffet, beverage cart or high top table.
Nostalgic Outfits
Channel a soda jerk or car hop in a retro 50s-style outfit, like a white paper cap, red bow tie or poodle skirt.
With these key ingredients, plus some creativity and pizazz, you can temporarily transform your home into your own old-fashioned soda bar! Shake up milkshakes, share egg creams with friends or sit alone at the counter lost in a cherry phosphate reverie.
Fun Facts About Soda Bars & Fountains
The vintage soda bar era may be gone but it still holds an endearing spot in America’s culinary history. Here are some fizzy facts about the glory days of soda fountains:
- There were over 125,000 soda fountains operating in the United States by 1910, during the height of their popularity.
- The term “soda jerk” referred to the jerking arm motion used by servers to operate the soda fountain taps and levers.
- Busy stores employed teams of soda jerks working the counter and sharing the tips.
- The soda jerk profession was a popular after-school job for high schoolers.
- Soda jerks had flair for theatrically assembling drinks, flipping mixers and dancing bottles.
- Creative new drink recipes were sometimes featured attractions, like the Brown Cow (root beer and ice cream).
- Soda bars catered to all – ladies enjoying a midday break, uniformed soldiers, and families treating the kids.
- The cost of sodas averaged around 5 to 10 cents through the 1930s to 1950s.
- Coca-Cola only cost a nickel for over 70 years, from 1886 until 1959.
- Common glassware included tall Collins glasses, old fashioned tumblers, glass mugs and curved milkshake glasses.
- Popular garnishes were fruit slices, mint sprigs, grated nutmeg, candy sprinkles and whipped cream.
- Businesses promoted their ornate soda fountains in advertisements and postcards.
- Soda bars became teen hangout spots in the 1940s and 50s during the rise of youth culture.
- Jukeboxes playing the era’s hit tunes added to the lively ambiance.
- During WWII, sodas were exempt from sugar rationing so their popularity continued.
- Some vintage traditions like phosphates and egg creams are making a small comeback today.
Soda bars represent an idyllic snapshot of 20th century Americana. With their charming culture and refreshingly familiar flavors, they’ve earned their status as icons of soda and ice cream nostalgia.