Hawn's in Hyrum: Helping folks forget their troubles for almost 6 decades

By Seth Bracken

October 13, 2008 | HYRUM -- Hawn's Lounge, a local favorite, is still bringing in the customers with a largely local clientele after 57 years of operation, says owner Morris Nielsen.

Nielsen opened Hawn's Lounge in 1951, converting it from a simple pool hall into a full functioning bar that also offers basic fast food such as hamburgers and rib sandwiches. Nielsen continues working in the bar.

"I've put a lot of work into it," Nielsen says.

The bar hasn't changed much in since it opened. The thick orange carpet, an old cigarette machine and soft, long-forgotten country music that's pumped through the bar add to the western feel. The television set isn't set to ESPN like most bars; here at Hawn's, if John Wayne wasn't in the movie, it doesn't get played. It's obvious that Hawn's has become a local gem for the regulars that pour through the doors. Many of them have been coming to the bar since it opened.

Nielsen himself represents the real character of the bar. A lifetime Hyrum resident, he has pride in his bar and knows that it is one of few bars in Cache Valley and the only one in Hyrum. Nielsen's cool and confident "I don't care" attitude is archetypical, and appears to come straight from one of the Westerns that are constantly running on the old television set. It's a low stress, low trafficked bar that provides for a great opportunity to just sit back relax, and forget life's troubles. No one will bother or judge you at Hawn's.

During the week a stream of regulars file through the bar playing pool and chatting with Nielsen and his two other bar tenders. On the weekends there are live shows that feature local country-rock bands such as the Rumble Dogs, this month's headliners. The shows tend to bring in a younger demographic, mainly locals, says Nielsen.

"I get pretty good business from Hyrum. I know about all the people from Hyrum," he says.

However, business is down from previous years.

"It just ain't as good as it used to be," he said. "But I figure everyone's having a rough time right about now."

But Nielsen promises to keep trucking through the hard times and to provide the same business as he has been for over a half century. Nielsen doesn't plan on changing much, after all, if it worked 50 years ago, why wouldn't it work now?

The bar is in the dead center of Main Street, at 84 West, next door to the library. You can't miss it.

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