Copper barons and Levi’s jeans built the fortune that put this building on the map, and more than a century later it’s still turning heads on Jerome’s steep little Main Street. The Clinkscale occupies a mercantile dating back to 1899, back when this cliffside mining town was one of the largest cities in the Arizona territory and this very storefront was reportedly among the first in the world to sell Levi’s denim.
Today the ground floor holds a bar and grill serving American fusion food with a French accent, while six guestrooms and a penthouse suite fill the upper floors. Restored by The Haunted Group, the same Northern Arizona hospitality team behind Jerome’s famous Haunted Hamburger, The Clinkscale has quickly become one of the most talked-about stops in town for a meal, a cocktail, or an overnight stay in a building with some serious history behind its brick walls.
Food, Drinks & Signature Bites
Brunch is where The Clinkscale really shines, and locals and travelers alike tend to plan their whole Jerome visit around it. Poached eggs with hollandaise, biscuits piled with hot chicken, and brioche French toast topped with berries and ricotta show up again and again as favorites, alongside a double bacon cheeseburger that regularly gets singled out as one of the best in the region.
Dinner leans a little more upscale without losing its comfort-food heart. Filet mignon, ginger-miso glazed salmon, bone-in ribeye, and chicken milanese anchor the entrée list, while shareable starters like truffle fries and a steak and blue cheese bruschetta make for an easy way to sample the kitchen’s range before committing to a main.
The bar program pulls its own weight, too. House-infused hibiscus tequila and other small-batch cocktail ingredients give the drink menu a homemade feel, and the occasional penny mimosa deal has become something of a draw for weekend brunch crowds. Save room for dessert if you can; the warm beignets served with vanilla bean custard and chocolate ganache are a fitting way to close out a meal in a building this old.
Atmosphere & Décor
Walking in, you’re struck by how well the restoration balances old and new. Exposed brick walls, oversized historic photographs, and floor-to-ceiling windows keep the mercantile’s bones visible, while leather seating and steel accents give the space a more polished, modern edge.
The bar area carries its own personality, dressed in Spanish tile with a mix of bar seating, freestanding tables, and booths so you can pick whatever mood fits your visit, whether that’s a quick drink solo or a longer dinner with a group. Upstairs, the guestrooms continue the same design language, pairing hardwood floors and exposed brick with modern comforts like air conditioning, private bathrooms, and flat-screen TVs, so the historic feel doesn’t come at the cost of a comfortable night’s sleep.
Because Jerome itself is built into a mountainside, the building’s floor-to-ceiling windows also mean you’re never far from a view of the surrounding hills and the Verde Valley below, which adds a nice bit of scenery to an already atmospheric setting.
Other Considerations
What are the hours? The Clinkscale is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., covering breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner service under one roof.
Can I stay overnight? Yes. The building houses six boutique guestrooms plus a penthouse suite in an adjacent building, so you can pair your meal with an overnight stay right on Main Street.
Is it walkable to the rest of Jerome? Very much so. The Clinkscale sits right in Jerome’s compact downtown, within easy walking distance of the town’s shops, art galleries, and wine tasting rooms.
Does the historic building come with any spooky stories? Jerome has a well-earned reputation as one of Arizona’s most haunted towns, and a mercantile building dating back to 1899 fits right into that lore, adding a bit of extra intrigue to a stay or a meal here.
The Clinkscale
📍 309 Main St, Jerome, AZ 86331
Website: https://theclinkscale.com/
