The Brass Rail Bar - A beloved and historic Port Huron staple

The Brass Rail Bar is meant to feel like a home away from home.
The first thing you'll notice when stepping into the Brass Rail Bar is the cozy, intimate atmosphere--as if you've arrived at a relative's familiar living room. Considered one of the oldest and most historic bars in Port Huron, the establishment is as classic as it comes. Located at 410 Huron Avenue, the Brass Rail is a household name in the community and a favorite gathering place for locals. Once an ice cream parlor and candy shop, former owner Helen David made the gutsy move to transition the business into a bar on June 15, 1937. She successfully ran it until her death in 2006.

Throughout the years the Brass Rail has been frequented by both locals and newcomers alike. During the holiday season, it's world famous for its festive decor and holiday offerings.

A unique atmosphere and a lasting impression

The Brass Rail Bar purposefully hasn't changed its overall interior décor since it opened. Enthusiastically described as "a timeSit and stay awhile at the Brass Rail Bar in downtown Port Huron capsule to a different era" and having a "great atmosphere in a historic setting" by local patrons and visitors, the bar carries on Helen David's tradition in a way she would certainly be proud of.

The current owner, Maroun Aboughanem, took over the bar in 2006 and made the conscious effort to maintain its historic integrity and feel. His goal: to keep his cousin's legacy alive.

There's no doubt the intricate woodwork and decades-old atmosphere often catches first-time patrons by surprise. For first-time visitors, it's a great find.

“It looks so different from what you would expect from the outside,” says Aboughanem. “Helen kept it like a living room, and we wanted to make sure and keep it that way. Everybody loves the place.”

Open seven days a week, the Brass Rail has built up a loyal clientele that loves its classic American feel.

“Strangers love it because they've never seen anything like it before,” says Aboughanem. “It's a bar, but a different kind of bar. You can sit, have a good time, and feel like you're in someone's living room.”

Impact on the Community

Former owner Helen David designed the Brass Rail Bar to feel like a living room.It's a staple for locals and a popular place to hang out. In fact, during the holiday season, it's been known to be standing room only, decked out in festive lights and featuring a prominent Christmas tree. It is famous for its holiday beverage, the Tom and Jerry, a hot, frothy drink that has become a much-anticipated tradition since 1938. Helen David initially discovered the drink at another establishment outside of town and decided to bring it back to Port Huron--with her own secret adjustments, of course.

Patrons love it.

“This was my first visit to the Brass Rail Bar and my first Tom and Jerry holiday beverage,” says one reviewer online. “The atmosphere was fun and festive and I thoroughly enjoyed my drink. I think I'm going to make this a yearly tradition.”

There’s no doubt about it: If you’re looking for a warm, historic, friendly place to have a drink and chat with friendly patrons, the Brass Rail Bar is the place to be.

The Brass Rail Bar can be reached at (810) 982-4592 and is open daily from noon to 2 a.m.