The History of the Cedar Lounge: More Than a Tavern

Few places in the Twin Ports have witnessed as much history as the Cedar Lounge.

For more than a century, the tavern that’s now called the Cedar Lounge has stood along Superior's working harbor, welcoming longshoremen, railroad workers, sailors, musicians, neighbors, and travelers through its doors. Today it serves as the official taproom of Earth Rider Brewery, but its story began long before the modern craft beer movement arrived in the Twin Ports.

Built by a Brewery

The Cedar Lounge was originally constructed in 1912 by Superior's Northern Brewing Company, one of the region's most significant breweries. Located within Superior's bustling harbor and entertainment district, the tavern operated as a "tied-house" - a common practice at the time where breweries owned or sponsored taverns that exclusively served their beer.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Superior was booming. Ships loaded with grain, iron ore, coal, and lumber crowded the harbor while railroads connected the city to the rest of the country. The Cedar became a neighborhood gathering place for the hardworking people who powered the port city and helped build the Twin Ports into an economic engine of the Great Lakes.

For decades, patrons have come to share stories after work, celebrate milestones, listen to music, and enjoy a cold beer with friends. Through changing times, economic ups and downs, and shifting trends in the hospitality industry, the Cedar Lounge endured.

A Survivor Through the Decades

The history of the Cedar mirrors the history of Superior itself.

The tavern lived through Prohibition, the Great Depression, world wars, industrial expansion, and the eventual closure of Northern Brewing Company in 1967. While many historic taverns disappeared as neighborhoods changed and buildings were demolished, the Cedar Lounge remained a fixture of the community.

Its survival is remarkable. More than 110 years after it was built, it is the longest continually operating tavern in the Twin Ports. The original character of the space - the barroom atmosphere, neighborhood spirit, and connection to Superior's brewing heritage - continues to define the experience today.

A New Chapter: Earth Rider Brewery

In 2017, Earth Rider Brewery began brewing beer in Superior, becoming the first distributing brewery in the city since Northern Brewing ceased operations fifty years earlier.

With the Cedar Lounge located next door, a natural connection was formed between Superior's brewing past and its brewing future. The historic tavern became the taproom for Earth Rider Brewery, once again serving locally brewed beer from a Superior brewery.

Today, guests can enjoy brewery-fresh lagers, ales, and seasonal releases just steps away from where they are brewed. The Cedar Lounge also serves as a gathering place for live music, game nights, community events, festivals, celebrations, and even presidential visits that bring people together from across the Twin Ports and beyond.

Honoring the Past While Building the Future

While much has changed since 1912, the spirit of the Cedar Lounge remains the same.

Our taproom continues to be a place where people gather, connect, and share experiences over flavorful beer. Historic photographs, vintage brewery memorabilia, and the building's original character help preserve the story of those who came before us. The neighborhood tavern atmosphere remains intentional - a reflection of the hardworking, welcoming culture that has defined Superior for generations.

At Earth Rider, we view ourselves as caretakers of a piece of Twin Ports history. Every pint poured, every concert hosted, and every community event held at the Cedar Lounge helps carry forward a tradition that began more than a century ago.

The Cedar Lounge is more than a taproom. It is a living connection to Superior's brewing heritage; a place where the city's past and present meet, one beer at a time.