JT Bar and Dining Room

1426 Hwy 395, Gardnerville, NV

Constructed in 1870s.

This two-story building was first constructed in Virginia City, and then moved to the Carson Valley sometime in the 1890s. It found a home here on Gardnerville's Main Street, and served as the bar and dining room for the old Gardnerville Hotel, which was located right next door

In 1926 the Gardnerville Hotel burned to the ground, and the establishment, which was then known as "Springer's Bar", had to start operating on its own. There was a bar and dining room downstairs, a barber shop in the adjoining annex, and hotel rooms on the second story. In 1952 it was bought by two Basque fellows called Juansaras and Trounday, who promptly renamed it with their own initials.

Through most of its life the JT has operated as a Basque restaurant, serving hearty multi-course meals in a family style setting. Originally these restaurants served the Basque sheepherders who spent most of their time in the hill with their flocks, and would come into town during the winter. You will still see some Basque patrons in these places, but mostly now the customers are locals and tourists looking for a good meal.

Juansaras and Trounday only owned the bar for eight years. In 1960 they sold the JT to Jean Lekumberry. Today the JT Bar and Dining Room is still in the Lekumberry family, owned and operated by Jean's children J.B. and Marie. Family-style Basque dinners are still served here every night, and it's probably a good idea to get a reservation.