The Red Brick Tavern is located in Lafayette along U.S. 40 east of Springfield. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

The Red Brick Tavern, located in Lafayette along U.S. 40, is distinguished as the second-oldest tavern in Ohio remaining in full operation, trailing only the Golden Lamb in Lebanon established in 1803.

The Red Brick Tavern opened in 1837 and operated until 1856 as a stagecoach tavern along the National Road. When horse-drawn travel was eclipsed by faster railroad travel, the business became a private home. The tavern reopened to the public in 1925 after improvements were made to the old National Road and U.S. 40 became a main east-west highway.

The original tavern was built as a reversed “L.” The main section faced the highway and the narrower part extended along the side street. The first floor of the narrow part was the dining room and kitchen. On the second floor were about 12 rooms of the total 24, where travelers slept. The present bar area and the kitchen were added in later years.

The Red Brick design is old English Manor style. The old walls are built of bricks made from clay taken from a local field. Ash, oak and walnut wood used for the doorway and interior trim came from Zanesville.

The Red Brick Tavern is undergoing renovations to its second floor. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

Still visible now are the original fireplaces, broad double chimneys on either side of the roof, and the deep-set windows and sills. The windows were recently replaced with historically accurate replicas to further preserve the building for future generations.

A total of six U.S. presidents have visited the tavern: John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Warren G. Harding. On display in the main dining room are artists’ sketches of the six presidents who have visited the tavern. Also displayed are portraits of other notable guests like opera singer Jenny Lind and American politician Henry Clay.

In 1925, the Red Brick Tavern, after being a private home for several generations, again became an eating place for travelers and locals, first as a tearoom and then as a restaurant. Lodging was offered until 1935 when it was purchased by new owners.

The Red Brick Tavern is seen along U.S. 40 in this video. If the video does not appear in the email, please use this link — https://youtu.be/AwXiJjYs8WA

In 1972 the tavern was closed and one year later, completely redecorated, was re-opened by a group of local businessmen. The traditional structure was retained and many fine antiques and period pieces were gathered from private collections to refurbish the landmark.

From 1972 until 2022, the tavern traded hands three more times until brothers and current owners Kyle and Travis Massey purchased the site. After several months of extensive repairs, the tavern opened its doors once again on Feb. 14, 2023. With plans to re-open the second floor, the Red Brick Tavern is again a place of fine food and restful surroundings for generations to come.

The Red Brick’s traditional American menu includes steaks, chops, wings, chicken, pasta, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, appetizers and pizza, along with a dessert selection that includes peach bread pudding and chocolate lava cake.

The Red Brick Tavern is located at 1700 Cumberland St., London (Lafayette), along U.S. 40 just west of the US 42 exit off I-70. Call (614) 200-5447 for information and reservations.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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