The Plaza Bar

02/25/2026

Before you ask, yes, the bar will be open.

Save the date.

05/18/2025

It is a beautiful day for a drive to Hornitos! The bar is open and we have the first spring flea market underway! Lemon drop from Mariposa is here for lunch too.

11/02/2024

See you all on Saturday… please be careful getting here as sections of Hornitos road have been removed pending repair. The procession leaves the plaza just after dark.

The annual All Souls Day celebration in Hornitos is this Saturday, Nov. 2. The Hornitos event is about 120 years old and is a not-to-be-missed local event.

Hundreds of people from all over California normally take part in the multicultural tradition that brings lots of celebratory activity to this historic little foothill town.

People start to gather in the town plaza in the early afternoon already dressed in colorful clothing and painted faces in Day of the Dead style. Face painters are at the ready to paint faces of anyone, young or old, that wish to have it done. There is music, and games for the kids, and the Plaza bar is opened for those adults who want a drink or maybe a bite to eat.

As the evening light starts to fade the local Cal Fire fireman light all of the Luminarias which adorn the path leading from the plaza up to St. Catherine’s Church. As the church bell tolls the silent procession of people, led by the Catholic Bishop, begins to wind their way up the hill to the church. Most of the marchers carry a lighted candle and marigolds to be placed on a grave and honor someone in the old cemetery by the old church. The placing of candles on graves is an old Mexican tradition brought to Hornitos by the old gold miners.

The march is culminated with a prayer at the grave of Dona Candlelaria de Sapien. She is known as the keeper of the Hornitos Dia de los Mu***os celebration.

After the celebration everyone is welcome to come to the community hall for a dinner. If you want to have a nice pleasant drive and be part of a historic event, this would be a good choice for all ages.

Story: Jim Cunningham and Flip Hassett for the column ‘What’s That?’

06/01/2024

The library will be extending its technology assistance sessions out to Hornitos. On Saturday, June 8, from 10 to noon, our tech expert will be available at Stagg Hall to provide assistance with computers, tablets, and smartphones. It is free to attend and registration is not required.

To learn more, call 209-966-2140.

12/17/2023

It’s story time at the bar today with Poncho Ortiz and Ace Harmon. We really should record some of these sessions.

07/09/2023

Today we celebrate 75 years of business since Manuela and Carlos first opened the bar in 1948. Thank you to all of our customers past and present. Salud! 🍻

09/10/2022

The bar will be closed this weekend.

05/15/2022

The bar will be closed today, Sunday, May 15th.

04/21/2022

We want to wish the happiest of 21st birthdays to our favorite neighbor and all-around awesome young man, Jaq. When you get back in town, Ritchie is buying a round (he doesn't know this yet).