What did a saloon girl do?

Saloon girls in the Old West entertained lonely men by singing, dancing, and talking to keep them in the bar, encouraging drink and game purchases for commissions, often wearing flashy outfits, and while some also engaged in prostitution (soiled doves), many were strictly entertainers who weren't allowed to leave with patrons and earned decent money for the era. Their role was to provide female companionship in male-dominated towns, offering a different, sometimes more respectable, option than brothels, though society often conflated the two.

What were the duties of a saloon girl?

Serving drinks to customers was just a small part of a saloon girl's job. They also provided eye candy for the cowboys as well as entertained visitors with singing and dancing. These were Wild West dance halls that provided townsfolk with much-needed refreshments and entertainment.

What was life like for saloon girls?

Many were widows or needy women of good morals, forced to earn a living in an era that offered few means for women to do so. Earning as much as $10 per week, most saloon girls also made a commission from the drinks they sold. Whiskey sold to the customer was generally marked up 30-60% over its wholesale price.

Were saloon girls respected?

MEN GENERALLY RESPECTED SALOON GIRLS There was a good deal of social stratification in the Old West, even among women. Those considered proper ladies fit the social expectations of the time; they were wives, mothers, and daughters, and most relied on men for support.

What does "saloon girl" mean?

A saloon girl in the Old West was an entertainer (singer, dancer, conversationalist) hired by saloons to attract and keep male patrons, encouraging them to buy drinks and gamble; while often stereotyped, they were distinct from prostitutes, though some eventually entered sex work, earning a salary plus commissions for drinks, and often carried weapons for protection in a male-dominated environment. 

Myth vs. Reality: Saloon Girls and Soiled Doves

How did saloon girls prevent pregnancy?

Saloon girls used a mix of rudimentary contraception, douching with acidic/antiseptic solutions (vinegar, alum), barrier methods (animal intestine condoms, sponges), and withdrawal, but abortion was also very common due to high failure rates, with methods including dangerous herbal concoctions or physical interventions, making pregnancy a constant threat despite efforts to prevent it. 

Did saloon girls wear stockings?

Silk, lace, or net stockings were held up by garters, which were often gifts from their admirers. The term 'painted ladies' was coined because the 'girls' had the audacity to wear make-up and dye their hair. In contrast, Eastern women wore dresses that epitomized elegance and grace.

Did saloon girls carry guns?

Most of the ladies carried small pistols or daggers to protect themselves from overzealous patrons. Most saloon girls were considered “good” women by the men and in most places the women were treated as “ladies.” The saloon girls and the saloon keeper were highly respected by the Western men.

What did saloon girls really wear?

Saloon girls in the Old West wore flashy, vibrant, and revealing outfits meant to attract attention, featuring low-cut bodices, corsets, brightly colored ruffled skirts (often shorter than Victorian norms), silk stockings, and decorated boots, along with makeup (hence "painted ladies") and accessories like feathers, sequins, and lace, often concealing weapons for protection.
 

Are saloons still a thing?

Yes, saloons are still a thing, but they've evolved from their Old West heyday; many historic saloons still operate as unique bars, while modern "saloons" are often themed bars or pubs using the name for atmosphere, though the iconic swinging doors and gambling halls of the 19th century are mostly gone, replaced by bars and taverns, with some still serving as living museums.
 

Were children allowed in saloons?

Saloon culture served as a community hub, and it wasn't uncommon for children to accompany their parents, sipping watered-down beer from miniature mugs. This curious and controversial slice of history reveals a time when social norms around alcohol, childhood, and public life were starkly different from today.

Did saloons have bedrooms?

Even the independent saloons provided rooms to travelers who wanted drinks, a meal and a bed. Many saloons provided a free lunch with the purchase of a drink, with the hope the traveler would decide to imbibe a bit longer and possibly spend the night.

When did saloons end?

Saloons effectively "died out" with the start of national Prohibition in 1920, which shut down legal alcohol sales, but their legacy transformed into speakeasies, and by the time Prohibition ended in 1933, the term "saloon" carried negative baggage, leading to new names like bars and cocktail lounges for post-Prohibition drinking spots, though some historic ones remain as museums or tourist spots.
 

How submissive were Victorian era wives?

Women in the Victorian period were expected to be docile, submissive, and were relegated to the domestic sphere. Once married, as Greg states in his essay, they became their husband's servants and had no legal rights to own property.

Why did saloons have swinging doors?

Saloons had swinging doors (batwing doors) for hands-free entry/exit (great for carrying drinks/weapons), crucial ventilation in smoky rooms, and a balance of privacy and visibility, letting people see the lively atmosphere inside without a full view. These double-action doors allowed easy passage in the busy Old West while also letting in fresh air and keeping out dust.
 

What did saloon girls do back in the day?

Saloon girls in the Old West entertained lonely men by singing, dancing, and talking to keep them in the bar, encouraging drink and game purchases for commissions, often wearing flashy outfits, and while some also engaged in prostitution (soiled doves), many were strictly entertainers who weren't allowed to leave with patrons and earned decent money for the era. Their role was to provide female companionship in male-dominated towns, offering a different, sometimes more respectable, option than brothels, though society often conflated the two.
 

What is the 3-3-3 rule for outfits?

The 3-3-3 Rule for outfits, popularized on TikTok and fashion influencers, is a capsule wardrobe strategy where you pick 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes that mix and match to create numerous combinations, perfect for simplifying packing or daily dressing by building a mini-wardrobe with just 9 versatile pieces. It's about maximizing outfits (potentially 27+ looks) from a few core items, reducing decision fatigue, and making travel packing easier.
 

Why were boys unbreeched?

The main reason for keeping boys in dresses was toilet training, or the lack thereof. The change was probably made once boys had reached the age when they could easily undo the rather complicated fastenings of many early modern breeches and trousers.

How did saloon girls make money?

Saloon girls served as #servers or #dancers, earning their income primarily through drink sales rather than sex work.

What is the 26 inch rule?

A firearm, as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4), is made when a handgun or other weapon with an overall length of less than 26 inches, or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length, is assembled or produced from a weapon originally assembled or produced only as a rifle.

Who is the most famous female gunslinger?

Annie Oakley is probably the most well-known female gunslinger. Many others are compared against her. Still, Calamity Jane, Belle Starr, and Pearl Hart all have their adherents.

Did cowboys only load 5 rounds?

TIL the 'Cowboy Load' - in the Wild West, it was most common for 6-shot revolvers to only be loaded with 5 rounds. A live bullet in the chamber below the hammer of a 19th century single-action revolver can be set off with a sharp knock, hence it was not desirable to carry one fully loaded.

What do brides wear on their first night?

What do brides wear on their first night? Brides prefer to wear dresses such as satin nightsuits, short co-ord sets, or nightsuits to not only look elegant but also feel charming and good with a classic appeal.

Why are pantyhose no longer popular?

Pantyhose went out of style primarily due to shifting workplace norms towards casual attire, the rise of women wearing trousers, and a fashion preference for bare legs, which were considered more modern and comfortable than the restrictive, fragile, and often uncomfortable nylon garments. Increased informality in daily life also lessened the necessity for traditional hosiery, although they remain for formal wear, with leggings and opaque tights taking over their casual roles. 

Do saloons have bedrooms?

Saloons often offered accommodations as well, as they were sometimes attached to or housed within a hotel. Even the independent saloons often provided rooms to travelers who wanted drinks, a meal and a bed.