About Us

Where the Cocktail Was Invented

Catherine Hustler once said, "it warms both body and soul and is fit to be put in a vessel of diamonds." Lewiston was burned to the ground in 1813 when the British attacked, but strong evidence indicates that Hustler's Tavern was left standing. Why? Some speculate that British officers remembered too many good times they had at the Tavern while sipping a "cocktail" -- a drink that the owner, Catherine Hustler is credited with inventing. The name originates from when Catherine Hustler stirred a "gin mixture" with the tail feather of a stuffed cockerel (a young male of the domestic fowl.)

The story goes that the American soldiers had raided a British commissary and brought Catherine some fowl which she roasted for the feast. She decorated all the bottles and jars in the tavern with tail feathers. One guest called for a glass of the cocktail, and hence, the name was born.

Hustler’s Tavern is a modern American restaurant with a stylish décor. We aim to serve top quality food with the freshest ingredients. One of our most popular menu items is our Detroit Style Pizza. Detroit-style pizza is a rectangular pizza with a thick crust that is crispy and chewy. It is traditionally topped with Wisconsin brick cheese that goes all the way to the edges and caramelizes against the high-sided heavyweight rectangular pan. We also serve NY style pizza, fresh salads, and sharables.