Johnny’s Bar and Grill, Hollister, CA

The #1 dive bar in town for many years running. It is famous for inspiring Marlon Brando’s & Lee Marvin’s movie “The Wild One.” Nice (to tourists too) bartender and very decent food and $2 coffee for a dive bar. We recommend dropping by any time of day including breakfast after 10:30 am.  See map below.

Johnny’s Bar became history on July 4th, 1947, when 3,500 motorcyclists from all over the state rode into this small town with only 5 policeman. They came to rally, race and to party … but really didn’t run nearly as amok as “The Wild One” movie exaggerates.

Johnny’s became the rally headquarters of the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club, a member of which rode his motorycycle into the bar where the owner let him park it by the wall. The Boozefighters still go back every 4th of July to celebrate, to give a toast to Boozefighter Wino Willie Forkner’s ashes (which are displayed on the wall), and to soak up the history and mystic of the place.

The whole town now celebrates the historical 1946 rally with one of the biggest motorcycle drive in California every 4th of July.

Johnny’s Bar & Grill

526 San Benito St, Hollister, CA
Phone: (831) 637-3683
Hours: Breakfast & Lunch 10:30 am-3 pm, evenings
Links: website yelp

Related Pages:

• Hollister Area Things To Do Page and Map
• History of Johnny’s and the famous 1947 Motorcycle event
• Annual Fourth of July Motorcycle Rally – Johnny’s is the unoffical headquarters of this 150,000 person event
• Top of Page and Home Page