One of the most famous sailing bars in America closes its doors for the last time today. Maddies Sail Loft in Marblehead, Massachusetts is shutting down after a half-century of catering to thirsty sailors.

A few years ago, Maddies was named by SAIL as one of the world’s top 10 sailing bars. There can hardly have been a sailor passing through Marblehead who did not raise an elbow in the small, convivial bar, its walls covered with sailing memorabilia – including a large SAIL logo.

After the sudden departure of most of the bar-staff who’d been serving regulars cold beer and generous cocktails for decades, business languished and much of the clientele left for other watering holes.

There is still a chance that a buyer will come forward to rescue the iconic bar and its attached restaurant. Failing that, the many hundreds of sailors who started races like the Marblehead to Halifax with throbbing heads after a long night at Maddies will have some rich memories to fall back on.