So, of course I'm not going to get every single bar, but just the places I have been to enough that I can compare it for others. A ground rule: A restaurant that is known for being a place to get drinks but is also a restaurant counts as a bar. Secondly, I won't rank chains. I know, I know, because if I did BJ's would take the top spot. And lastly, all of these bars are in the city limits of boulder. So, sit back and let me regale you with my opinions on where to drink in the flatiron city.
#14 Press Play
Well, we had to start somewhere. So, I've only been to Press Play twice due a bunch of Covid and Staffing closures. Both times, the same vibe has led me to dislike it. You ever have a good friend that tries to be something they're not? Like a really lazy guy saying he wants to be body builder, or a big partier that can never show up to D&D even though they want to? Thats Press Play. Press Play is meant to be a bar with games, light music, mostly beer and a couple a cocktails, and a chillaxing time for patrons. But that's just not what they try to be: It has a DJ with the speakers fully up, tries to be a dance club, and even lacks a lot of games that don't coordinate well with this environment. All I can say is that Press Play tries to cover all the bases, and subsequently covers none.
#13 The Dark Horse
Ah you knew it was coming, but unfortunately, the World-Famous Dark Horse takes the 13th spot. Now I actually really like the Dark Horse's food, but there's a couple of reasons it falls so low on the bar list. The first big one is its location, which is so incredibly out of the way it either forces you to start or finish your night there. The next is that while I like beer, it's a beer bar with not a lot of on-tap selection; they usually have the standard brands, something from Avery or Odell like 90 shilling, and maybe a few IPAs. Now, this isn't necessarily bad, but you do feel a tinge of "I could've bought this for half price over at Baseline Liquors". Honestly, this wouldn't be so bad if the ambiance wasn't super wild. I like the vibe they have inside, which has all sorts of mirrors, license plates, buffalo heads, and roman artifacts, but I think in the main room it crosses the line with the giant wagon hanging from the ceiling. It's just a little too much on the eyes late at night with a couple drinks in. If we were ranking lunch, The Dark Horse might live up to its name.
#12 The Attic
Now the last two bars have been cases where too much was the problem -- with The Attic, its too little. Literally, its quite small to be a bar. The Attic does have a few things going for it like its music and signature cocktails, but overall its a bit of a middling time overall. The Attic also has some pretty good food, and as far as Pearl bars go, its not hilariously overpriced.
#11 Mountain Sun
So I'll be honest I've only been to Mountain Sun once. The service was very fine, and they have a good selection of upslope beer which is pretty nice. The reason it kicks #11 is because like the attic, It doesn't stand out and like the Dark Horse, its a better place for food than drinks. As I said in the ground rules, Pubs and Breweries will show up on the list, and I do think Mountain Sun has some people that do go there just for the drinks. Overall, I'd like to go back, but probably wouldn't go out of my way to go there.
#10 The Downer
Ah Sundown Saloon, why did you rank so low? Well, unfortunately, you're like a good friend from high school whisked away to college and so hanging out with you only makes sense at certain times and in certain situations. On a weekday at 6 or 7, you're pretty cool; good selection, fine prices, and hey we might even play pool. On the weekend, you're the most obnoxious person I've ever met, with crowded walkways, drug dealers and worse running around, and no tables anywhere. Maybe one day we'll reconnect when you're out of college.
#9 Avanti
The second big name to hit the list is Avanti: Now, Avanti is pretty cool, but its coolness is its downfall. The worst thing about Avanti in my opinion is its clientele. The rooftop bar is pretty alright, but it suffers from Press Play syndrome of being both a chillaxing fireside drink to blaring trap music inside. Its also the bar that normally ends everyone's night, and you get a larger share of drunks. Still, I'll hand it to Avanti that they have some great views, and their bartenders are nice and cool and they have table service.
#8 Outback Saloon
Fun times, fun atmosphere and a real local vibe. Outback is a cool place I would definitely go again, it's just a long way away from other bars. They have a few cool games and do karaoke, it seems like a great bar to go to if you're only looking for one bar to go to that night.
#7 The West End Tavern
Now, I know West End is more of a Restaurant, but it does have a bar with pretty good whisky selection. The only problem is that now that we move into the top 7 bars, price becomes a dictating factor. You know you'll have a great time at most of these places, but you don't want to be worried about that bank account tomorrow morning. West End has nice ambience, good bartenders, and nice selection, but I can tell its priced to keep away the college crowd.
#6 Felix
My neighbor Felix; it gets this high for those giant margs you can share with a whole table. Its located well, not super strict on carding, and a lot of different Margs to get. Would certainly go back.
#5 The Rio
The Rio has a great rooftop with views of Pearl and the Flatties. You can also get a $5.5 beer here if you're not trying to drink a Marg. Nice staff and usually great patrons as well.
#4 Bohemian Beer Garden
Its one of the only places in Boulder you can get a liter of beer, and even though its pricey, Its a cool vibe. Waiters are really cool and the clientele is usually on par. Ambiance 10/10
#3 The Sink
I'll add more reasons later but the ambiance is one of the coolest in Boulder, the Hill is a good location, and the Bar and staff almost always know what they're doing. Its also the official bar of CU Economics and its pretty cool to have your school buy you drinks, so my view is very colored to like this place.
#2 Bitter Bar
Bitter Bar is everything great in a Bar; awesome ambiance, music that isn't too loud or quit, and both new and old cocktails that are really good. The only thing keeping this bar from the top spot is its prices.
#1 Half Fast Subs
Its truly the epitome of the Boulder Bar experience. You get a lot of bang for your buck with a pitcher, and it has indoor and outdoor seating. The clientele is a little rough, but its kind of a vibe. You sit beneath the shadow of the flatirons and its a good place to start a night out.
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