In the fishing-camp era of Old Florida, long before the beach town of Jupiter filled in with waterfront restaurants, surf shops, and family-friendly neighborhoods, there was a watering hole finding its footing.
Widely regarded as the oldest licensed bar in Palm Beach County (and allegedly able to lay claim to the second liquor license issued in Florida), Ralph’s Stand Up Bar is a Jupiter landmark. A true hole in the wall, walk inside (as late as 3 a.m. on weekends) and you’ll find the kind of no-frills, locals-only, slightly grungy ambiance that characterizes the best dive bars.
The Story Behind the Name
While these days there are indeed chairs if you choose to sit a spell, Ralph’s used to be a cash-only, standing-room-only bar—though no one can quite remember why.
Some say it’s because when smoking indoors became prohibited in establishments with seating for customers, Ralph’s became a bar with no seating; others swear it’s because Ralph’s started as a package store, and selling liquor to customers with nowhere to sit was a workable loophole under that license…