Construction Eye Candy
Built in 1861, our space is steeped in Gold Country history—and we’ve taken great care to honor its past while crafting something completely our own. Nearly every detail at The River Downtown holds a story.
The bar itself is a local legend. Once part of the saloon next door—it was famously pulled out by patrons as the building caught fire, then stored for decades at the old Wells Fargo Bank in French Corral. We brought it home, and it now stands at the heart of our space, restored and ready for new memories.
Our walls are lined with tins and wood that date back to the late 1800s, carefully salvaged and refurbished to retain their vintage charm. At the bar, the stool bases, repurposed from heat radiators, lend both function and character. The radiators originated from Nevada City’s longest standing Hotel.
Overhead, the tin ceiling in the front room was also salvaged from this Hotel, while the crucible light fixtures above the bar—discovered in the back room—now cast a warm glow from above like unearthed treasure.
Look down and you’ll find a hand-crafted concrete floor, artfully carved and stained to mimic the flow of the nearby Yuba River. Using a custom template and router, we shaped each line by hand, filling them with grout to bring the vision to life.
On the walls, we’ve mounted hand sanded madrone trees inviting nature inside in a nod to the outdoors we love.
And finally, in the back, our gold room—still holds physical remnants of its past, including portions of a brick-lined oven. It’s the kind of history you can feel in the walls. the iron doors, marked with bullet holes, were moved to the front of the restaurant so their story—raw, resilient, and real—can be seen and remembered by all who walk through our doors.
We also pay tribute to James W. Penrose, whose generous spirit helped bring The River Downtown to life. He gifted us the beloved sketch of the Yuba River that hangs on our wall—a piece that captures the sun-warmed rocks, the swimming holes, and the untamed beauty of a river that has shaped lives and land alike.
This river—Uba Seo to the Nisenan people, the original stewards of this land—carries a force and grace that echoes through time. We hold deep respect for the rich cultural history of the Nisenan Tribe and make an oath to remember and not forget.
The Yuba River is a powerful place for the mind, soul, and heart. We hope that spirit flows through these walls and into your experience with us.
