The Last Chance Saloon stands on Jewell Street in Wayne, a former coal-mining settlement south of Drumheller that has only a couple of dozen residents today. It was established in 1913 and shares the ground floor of the Rosedeer Hotel, and a recent Alberta Motor Association feature describes the interior as a living museum. The drive is part of the appeal, because the road from Rosedale crosses 11 bridges over the Rosebud River as it winds through the badlands. Inside, expect old-fashioned wood, a vintage jukebox and a bar that has changed little in generations. The saloon is known for its brisket, made with beef from a farm in nearby Dalum, and for a grill-your-own steak option on the outdoor patio, with picnic tables and basic sides.
What to do
Go for lunch or dinner, and treat the meal as part of a ghost-town outing. The grill-your-own steak, a striploin cooked by you on the patio, is the gimmick that draws groups, while the brisket is the dish the saloon is praised for. After eating, walk around Wayne itself, look at the old buildings and the bridges and think about how busy the valley was when coal was king.
Practical planning
Travel Alberta shows the saloon as a year-round business, but we could not find its current winter hours, and a Calgary magazine feature from 2022 stressed that visitors should confirm details first. Phone or check the saloon's social media before you drive out in the cold months, and ask whether the patio steaks run in winter, because they are an outdoor option.
The property was advertised for sale in 2021, so ownership details may have changed. The road is paved but narrow and winding, so allow time and drive slowly on the bridges, especially in ice or snow.
Fitting it in
Wayne is about an hour and fifty minutes northeast of Calgary on the magazine's reckoning, but from Drumheller it is a short scenic drive that pairs well with the Rosedale Suspension Bridge on the way. The saloon operates the adjacent Rosedeer Hotel, which has seven simple rooms, and there are campsites beside it, but most visitors come for a meal and return to Drumheller to sleep.
What to expect
The experience
A meal in a 1913 saloon in a near-empty coal-mining village, with a scenic drive over 11 bridges to get there.
Best time
Lunchtime in dry weather, once you have confirmed by phone that the saloon is open that day.
How long
One to two hours including the meal and a short walk around Wayne.
Tips
Confirm opening hours before you set out, drive slowly on the narrow bridges and ask whether the patio grill is running in cold weather.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who like old buildings, ghost towns and a meal with a story behind it.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the bridges and the novelty of grilling steak, but check the saloon about children's seating and hours.
- Couples
- A characterful lunch date at the end of a winding road through the badlands.
- Pair with
- The Rosedale Suspension Bridge and the Hoodoos fit neatly on the same loop.
- Time needed
- Allow half a day if you include the drive from Drumheller.
Good questions
Where is the Last Chance Saloon?+
It is at 555 Jewell Street in Wayne, a former mining village south of Drumheller. The road from Rosedale crosses 11 bridges on the way in.
What is it known for?+
The saloon is known for its brisket and for letting guests grill their own striploin steak on the patio. It was established in 1913 and has an old-fashioned interior with a jukebox.
Is it open in winter?+
Travel Alberta shows it as a year-round business, but we could not confirm current winter hours. Phone ahead before you make the drive.
Can I stay overnight?+
The saloon operates the adjacent Rosedeer Hotel, which has seven simple rooms, and there are campsites beside it. Confirm availability with the saloon.
How far is Wayne from Drumheller?+
It is a short scenic drive south of Drumheller, mostly along the river and over a series of bridges. Allow extra time in winter, because the road is narrow.
