About The Temperance House

Before The Temperance House, the railroad ran along St. John's Street with a Victorian style train station located where Cole's Hardware now stands. Across the tracks was a shack of a beer house named the Walt Montgomery Bar and locally nicknamed "The Bucket of Blood". In those days there were no hard alcohol sales in Union County and if you wanted a good stiff drink you had to go across the river to Northumberland County to a place called Alhambra. A life-long native of Lewisburg recalls his memories of the Bucket of Blood, "When I was 8 or 9 years old my family lived at 104 North 1st Street. I used to go to the Roxy Theater on 3rd and Market on a Saturday night and when I came home from the theater it was dark and frightening to walk by the Bucket of Blood because drunks were laying on the side walks and sometimes you would trip over a body.  If the Roxy had been playing a scary movie it was even more frightening to make that trip past the bar. They kept their front doors open all the time and you could see it was always packed."

The Temperance House was built in 1972 by Joe Shaffer on the original site of a restaurant and pub that served the railroad stop on St. John & Second Street in the 1800's. A far cry from the Bucket of Blood days, the idea was to bring fine dining to the Lewisburg area. The menu was designed to incorporate the best of what the local area produced in the way of produce, meat, dairy products and fish. The Temperance House was one of the first eateries in Lewisburg to obtain a liquor license.

The Temperance House has grown to accommodate the needs of the community and nearby universities by offering a modest price Pub Menu and quality liquors and beers.  In fact, many university alumni have commented that our Long Island Iced Teas are the "best in the world"!  Maybe that's why our Thursday LIT night is such a local favorite.

Catering and event functions came along as patrons who owned local businesses began to ask for a place they could hold larger luncheon meetings. Many local businesses have had functions catered by The Temperance House or held in the banquet areas. These events continue today, and we are pleased to serve the area in the finest fashion possible.

The Temperance House continues in our tradition and our new renovations of creating a superior background for your intimate dining experience, business function or private party.

Today, The Temperance House sees a wide variety of customers, as well as our tried and true regulars who still come here after many decades.  The business is owned and operated by a local woman who lives right here in Lewisburg.