History hides in plain sight behind bar at classic Fresno restaurant. Here’s the story

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The amount of history hidden inside Cosmopolitan Tavern and Italian Grill seems appropriate for a place that claims to have a liquor license that was issued before Prohibition.

Finding all the gems could make for a fun scavenger hunt, if one were so inclined.

There is the obvious stuff.

The original till sits behind the bar, its metal showing a century’s worth of patina. It’s still operational, though no longer in use.

There’s an old Regulator wall clock from the 1930s and a sea foam green drink mixer that looks like it could have come out of a ’50s diner. Both were brought over when Cosmo’s moved in next to Fresno’s Selland Arena in 2016.

Both can be clearly seen in a black-and-white photo of the restaurant’s original location on Fresno and G streets (for those who need proof of authenticity).

Among other artifacts you can find:

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