We had them. Open bottom, open top. Bat wing doors i think they were called. It wasn’t to a saloon but to an office part of a barn. I suppose it was used as a saloon a bunch. I know i drank in there more than a few times.
It was not fool proof and every couple years someone would figure it out and cause a mess, but for the most part, cows and horses were either scared of them or just didn’t understand them.
So you could have a basically open door that people could use, but big animals would not. For the most part.
I have always assumed that is why they had them in the old west (beyond fashion that is, which, if we are being honest, that is the main reason why most places have had them since). But at least at first, there was probably a higher chance of a stray horse or cow or even buffalo walking into town and entering the bar.
We had them. Open bottom, open top. Bat wing doors i think they were called. It wasn’t to a saloon but to an office part of a barn. I suppose it was used as a saloon a bunch. I know i drank in there more than a few times.
It was not fool proof and every couple years someone would figure it out and cause a mess, but for the most part, cows and horses were either scared of them or just didn’t understand them.
So you could have a basically open door that people could use, but big animals would not. For the most part.
I have always assumed that is why they had them in the old west (beyond fashion that is, which, if we are being honest, that is the main reason why most places have had them since). But at least at first, there was probably a higher chance of a stray horse or cow or even buffalo walking into town and entering the bar.
No evidence for this, only sharing what I was told as a kid living in a western town. Other than the reasons already stated by some redditors, they were also a courtesy. The half doors helped maintain some visual barrier to the debauchery inside of the saloon from the passers-by (think of like a modesty panel on a desk, but for shielding women from viewing men drinking). They also allowed someone to view when there was a person on the other side of the door going in or out, avoiding a potential collision with another patron or, more likely, a drunkard being thrown out. The bottom half being cut off also allowed for easier cleaning of the floors when people would bring dust and cattle shit in on their boots. They’re incredibly practical!
No evidence for this, only sharing what I was told as a kid living in a western town. Other than the reasons already stated by some redditors, they were also a courtesy. The half doors helped maintain some visual barrier to the debauchery inside of the saloon from the passers-by (think of like a modesty panel on a desk, but for shielding women from viewing men drinking). They also allowed someone to view when there was a person on the other side of the door going in or out, avoiding a potential collision with another patron or, more likely, a drunkard being thrown out. The bottom half being cut off also allowed for easier cleaning of the floors when people would bring dust and cattle shit in on their boots. They’re incredibly practical!
Here’s [some more info](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/78758/how-did-saloons-old-west-lock-their-doors-night) on that topic…. “Café doors were actually practical for many reasons. They allowed ventilation in a small enclosure that was filled with folks smoking cigars and home-rolled cigarettes. The bidirectional hinges were handy for cowboys who both entered and exited carrying heavy saddlebags (unlike automobiles, horses don’t come equipped with locking storage containers in the rear, and there was always the danger of some low-down sidewinder stealing from you while you were inside getting your drink on).”
Here’s [some more info](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/78758/how-did-saloons-old-west-lock-their-doors-night) on that topic…. “Café doors were actually practical for many reasons. They allowed ventilation in a small enclosure that was filled with folks smoking cigars and home-rolled cigarettes. The bidirectional hinges were handy for cowboys who both entered and exited carrying heavy saddlebags (unlike automobiles, horses don’t come equipped with locking storage containers in the rear, and there was always the danger of some low-down sidewinder stealing from you while you were inside getting your drink on).”
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