Posted in Virginia Bars & Nightlife, History November 22, 2021 by

History Was Made At Virginia’s Burger Bar, Where Country Singer Hank Williams Reportedly Spoke His Last Words

Over the centuries, Virginia has borne witness to countless legendary historical events. It’s also seen some lesser-known events that are no less fascinating. One of them is steeped in a bit of folklore yet is captivating nonetheless. It centers around a humble small-town burger bar, which is rumored to be the spot that country singer icon Hank Williams reportedly muttered his last words in 1952.

Passing by Burger Bar in Bristol, Virginia, you'll immediately notice the charming red awning and retro vibe of this beloved local burger joint. And if you're hungry for lunch, you owe it to yourself to stop by.
Burger Bar / Facebook
What you may not know is that over 70 years ago, Hank Williams himself also passed through town. It was New Year's Eve of 1952, and the legendary country singer was being driven from Montgomery, Alabama, to Canton, Ohio, where he was scheduled to play on New Year's Day.
Wikipedia
The driver, stopping outside of Burger Bar (which was then an open-all-night eatery known as Snack King), asked if Williams wanted anything to eat.
Burger Bar / Facebook
The singer simply uttered the word "no," and the two continued on towards West Virginia. Hours later, when the driver tried to make conversation again, he heard no reply from Williams, who had evidently passed away just shortly after leaving Virginia.
While this story of Hank Williams' last conversation is somewhat shrouded in folklore, most fans of the country singer believe it to be true.
Burger Bar / Facebook
In fact, some will even make a pilgrimage to Burger Bar in order to honor this country icon. When you visit Burger Bar today, you'll notice photos and drawings of Williams are just about everywhere.
Burger Bar / Facebook
The current owners of Burger Bar bought the restaurant on the 60th anniversary of Williams' death and have committed to honoring his memory and preserving the classic 1950s feel of the eatery.
Burger Bar / Facebook
Some of the most popular burgers and menu items are even named after famous Hank Williams songs. And while the singer may not have stopped into the restaurant on that fateful New Year's Eve, he did reportedly frequent the diner when passing through on tour.

Did you know that Hank Williams may have uttered his last words at this small-town burger restaurant in Virginia? Have you ever visited Burger Bar? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below. For more information, you can follow Burger Bar on Facebook.

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Address: Burger Bar, 120 Piedmont Ave, Bristol, VA 24201, USA