Great Bars In Boulder You Should Go To
Though the overall party scene at University of Colorado in Boulder is pretty insane compared to many other colleges in the United States, Boulder doesn’t boast the best college bars. However, for those who are of age in Boulder, there’s still plenty of good times to have at the bars mainly located a couple miles off campus, as well as a few great bars on the infamous Hill. If you’re interested in finding out which bars are the bars to go to, this is my list of great bars in Boulder that you have to check out.
1. Dark Horse Bar and Grill
Since its opening in 1975, Dark Horse has built a reputation amongst college students and adults alike as a Boulder staple for cheap drinks and good pub food. They even proclaim to have the best burgers and wings in Boulder, boasting a co-sign from USA Today that included their burgers as one of the “places to eat a burger worthy of paradise.” Aside from their food and drinks, Dark Horse provides a fun atmosphere covered top to bottom with movie props and turn of the century antiques, as well as games such as billiards, air hockey, foosball, and a handful of arcade games. Make sure to check their schedule for what’s going on each night, such as live music, karaoke, trike races, bingo, trivia night, and drink specials, or just go in to watch a sporting event on one of their 23 hd TVs! Dark Horse is a guaranteed hit with any crowd.
2. Press Play
Press Play is an underground goldmine for adults who haven’t quite grown up. Located on 1005 Pearl Street, Press Play is an essential college hangout spot in Boulder, thus easily making its way onto this list of 5 Great Bars In Boulder You Should Go To. Press Play features a full bar with seasonal shots and cocktails as well as a number of beers served cold from taps or bottles. After you’ve gotten your drink at Press Play, there’s no need to crowd the bar. Press Play is known for its variety of old school arcade games, pinball machines, billiards, Jenga, foosball, 4 player Pacman, air hockey and skeeball. With rotating DJs on Saturdays and Sundays, drink specials every night, and other planned events, Press Play is sure to combine a nostalgic feeling with a fun time. Make sure to stop by for Monday’s infamous “panic hour” in which they serve 25 cent drinks for an hour, Tuesday’s trivia night or Wednesday’s game night, which includes tournaments in skeeball, pinball, and more!
3. Bohemian Biergarten
Located at 13th and Pearl Street, Bohemian Biergarten is Boulder’s rustic take on a traditional German beer garden. Armed with a European design and the ambiance of an authentic Czech-style hangout, Bohemian Biergarten pairs perfectly with the young adults of Boulder, Colorado. Aside from the uniquely stylish scene, Bohemian Biergarten offers traditional menu favorites and a number of European beers on tap. Their weekly calendar is full of fun events such as ten dollar glass boots full of beer and trivia night on Tuesdays, Karaoke Wednesdays, all day happy hour Thursdays, live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and live comedy Sundays. Make sure to wear your fun pants to the Biergarten, because you’re guaranteed to have a good time any night of the week.
4. The No Name Bar
Located in the middle of the Hill at 1313-1325 Broadway Street behind an unmarked door is The No Name Bar, one of Boulder’s best kept secrets. I didn’t even know about this bar until the end of my third year in Boulder. Due to its unmarked door and secretive nature, this bar has been dubbed The No Name Bar, and its mysterious atmosphere definitely precedes its name. The inside of this bar has a quasi-speakeasy feel with dim lights and more-often-than-not live jazz music. The drinks at The No Name Bar are generally very simplistic, yet well-made cocktails that are well worth the price. Though this Boulder bar isn’t too well known, that’s one of the main reasons it is one of the 5 great bars in Boulder you should go to. This hip Boulder bar acts as a home to more adults than college kids, as it is on the fancier side, however, anyone who has a chance to check it out, definitely should.
5. Taco Junky
Located in the heart of the Hill at 1149 13th Street, Taco Junky has earned its spot on the 5 great bars in Boulder list for all of the right reasons. Taco Junky fancies itself as a “playful interpretation of a postmodern eclectic taqueria cantina,” and I can’t argue that. Full of incredible murals and light up modern art, Taco Junky is a great bar for college kids and adults alike. Featuring incredible food, many different flavors of margaritas in many different sizes, loads of different brands of tequila, and a generally fun atmosphere, Taco Junky has recently cemented itself as one of the best spots for college kids to go on the Hill. Stop by for lunch, dinner, or happy hour and you won’t be disappointed. Make sure to ask about the live music while you’re there, as they often have live bands playing during cocktail hour.
