Birdcage Theater Tours

The Birdcage Theater is one of Tombstone's most authentic attractions and one of the West's most famous landmarks. Legend has it 26 people were killed in the Bird Cage during it reputed 8 years as one of the wildest and meanest places in Tombstone. Over 120 bullet holes remain in the building. The ladies of the night, plied their trade in cribs suspended from the ceiling in the building. 14 cribs lined the sides of the gambling hall, 7 on each side of the room. The ladies would pull the drapes to entertain their clients. Within these walls once drank and played the likes of Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and members of the Cowboy faction, and Doc Holliday, who dealt faro in the gambling parlor. On one occasion, while Doc was dealing, one of his hated rivals, Johnny Ringo, passed by the table. Doc then murmured, "Care to buck the tiger, Johnny? It's the gustiest game in town." Upon hearing this, a drunken Ringo wheeled around, removed his bandana and said to Holliday, "Care to grab to the other end of this bandanna? This is the deadliest game in town." In those days when two men grabbed the opposite ends of a bandanna, they would then fire at each other at point-blank range, generally with both men winding up dead. Undaunted, Doc simply stood smiling, ready to accept the challenge, but ready to use knives, rather than guns. Curly Bill Brocius then interceded, grabbing Ringo and yelling, "Hell, Doc, he’s drunk!” Doc, who had also been drinking, like usual, answered, "Brocius, I drink more by 10:00 a.m. than he can all day." Doc then turned and walked away. One of its most famous distinctions was one of the longest running games of poker ever played. Seating seven players plus a dealer, the minimum buy-in was $1,000.00 and was played around the clock for, 8 years 5 months and three days.
The Birdcage Theater is one of Tombstone's most authentic attractions and one of the West's most famous landmarks. Legend has it 26 people were killed in the Bird Cage during it reputed 8 years as one of the wildest and meanest places in Tombstone. Over 120 bullet holes remain in the building. The ladies of the night, plied their trade in cribs suspended from the ceiling in the building. 14 cribs lined the sides of the gambling hall, 7 on each side of the room. The ladies would pull the drapes to entertain their clients. Within these walls once drank and played the likes of Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and members of the Cowboy faction, and Doc Holliday, who dealt faro in the gambling parlor. On one occasion, while Doc was dealing, one of his hated rivals, Johnny Ringo, passed by the table. Doc then murmured, "Care to buck the tiger, Johnny? It's the gustiest game in town." Upon hearing this, a drunken Ringo wheeled around, removed his bandana and said to Holliday, "Care to grab to the other end of this bandanna? This is the deadliest game in town." In those days when two men grabbed the opposite ends of a bandanna, they would then fire at each other at point-blank range, generally with both men winding up dead. Undaunted, Doc simply stood smiling, ready to accept the challenge, but ready to use knives, rather than guns. Curly Bill Brocius then interceded, grabbing Ringo and yelling, "Hell, Doc, he’s drunk!” Doc, who had also been drinking, like usual, answered, "Brocius, I drink more by 10:00 a.m. than he can all day." Doc then turned and walked away. One of its most famous distinctions was one of the longest running games of poker ever played. Seating seven players plus a dealer, the minimum buy-in was $1,000.00 and was played around the clock for, 8 years 5 months and three days.

Reviews of Birdcage Theater

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
100
5 - Excellent 56%
4 - Good
55
4 - Good 31%
3 - Okay
17
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
5
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

A lot of what they tell you isn’t true.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Does not take long to get through. Very quick self tour.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

About the only thing in Tombstone that was interesting. Still overpriced...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The tour is a bit pricy but worth it.

4/5 - Good

Patty

So nice they’ve saved the old paintings and beautiful cherry bar.

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