Tucked away in a small complex on the Hill, sandwiched between Dot’s Diner and Cosmo’s Pizza, lies is a hidden gem. The No Name Bar, connected to Cosmo’s Pizza is a hip, speakeasy-esque bar. Its entrance, a large, elegant wooden door, stands alone in a dark corner beneath a set of outdoor stairs. At first glance, it appears to lead nowhere—it lacks the typical outdoor lighting that announces a restaurant or bar’s presence. And, most peculiarly, it lacks a sign. Their business card matchbooks that line the bar neither have any contact information nor any name, marked with a simple ‘C’... Read More

Traditional happy hour is geared toward those of us who are trying to decompress from a hard day’s work or to simply enjoy some discounted drinks with a few friends. Both the food and adult beverages weigh in about equally when I am deciding where to go to happy hour. Sometimes, though, I’m just interested in finding some grub and don’t necessarily want to drink, especially when it’s before 9am. What about those of us who get an early start to the day? Luckily, a handful of restaurants in Boulder reward us early birds! It isn’t a traditional happy hour but I think... Read More

    Tahona Tequila Bistro is infamous for its late night weekend dance parties held every Friday and Saturday from 10pm-close. With no cover, diverse crowds gather to dance and enjoy the wide variety of tequila that Tahona has to offer. For those of us that can’t peel ourselves from the couch or underneath the comforter of our bed, Tahona also has a fabulous happy hour.   Tahona feels very welcoming right from when you step your foot in the door. The bar sits to your left and high-top tables scatter the floor of the restaurant. It is bustling. Conversations fill empty spaces in the restaurant... Read More

The Kitchen is a business that has been slowly growing over the past decade. Just in Boulder, we have The Kitchen, The Kitchen Next Door, and The Kitchen Upstairs. There are also restaurants in Denver, Fort Collins, and even one as far as Chicago. This sprawl is well-noted due to both its outstanding food and the philosophy on which The Kitchen is founded. The founders, Kimbal Musk, Jen Lewin, and Hugo Matheson, opened the original ‘world-class neighborhood restaurant’ in 2004 with the desire to create a space that would help to bring the community together. Not only does it help to bring... Read More

  Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar was the first happy hour that I came to know well in downtown Boulder. Right in the mix of chaos, it is located on Boulder’s busy Pearl Street mall. The narrow restaurant has booths lining one side and an open sushi bar lining the other. You can choose to sit here and watch your food (and everyone else’s food) be prepared. In my opinion, the most ideal location is Hapa’s patio. Here you can expect to recognize a passerby, be entertained by buskers (warning: they may or may not fall under your definition of talented), and soak up some vitamin D while enjoying... Read More

Foolish Craig’s is a quirky restaurant and bakery between 16th and 17th Street on Pearl Street. This place has been thriving since 1998 and if you visit, you’ll understand why. Foolish Craig’s is best known for their extensive breakfast and lunch menu, including their famous savory and sweet crepes, creative three-egg omelets and long list of hot sandwiches and burgers. If you’re a bacon-lover, this is the restaurant for you. “Yummy Bacon” is written as a subliminal message behind the main text on the menu. If you have only been to Foolish Craig’s for weekend brunch or for an early... Read More

Fresh seafood isn’t what normally comes to mind when living in a landlocked state like Colorado. Luckily, though, Jax Fish House makes this dream a reality for those of us living in Boulder. Their motto is “Know seafood or no seafood”, serving fresh fish with a commitment to sustainable seafood. Of course, this means that you can expect that your entree may be a little pricier than your average seafood dish, but it’s well worth it. Not only are you eating more responsibly, helping to sustain the fishing industry in the long run, but you are also getting a better quality... Read More

After Freshman year, many students transition from living in the dorms to living in an old, brick house or apartment nestled in the Hill district of Boulder. This area, as Boulderites are well aware of, has become the home of CU students. It’s rare and often odd to catch site of a family strolling along the sidewalk of College Avenue. Regardless, this area is bustling with the young energy of students in their twenties. The shopping area on the Hill spans a mere block and a half, a small area for such a large student population, however 13th Street is lined with restaurants and small shops. There... Read More

After a long week, sometimes it’s nice to just kick back and relax with a nice pint of beer. Luckily, Boulder has a handful of microbreweries that also offer some pretty stellar happy hours. Twisted Pine Brewing Company is quickly growing to become one of my favorite spots for a cold brew. Located just behind The Spot, it is tucked away from the chaos of downtown Boulder. When you pull into their parking lot, a smell of barley and hops wafts through the air, quickly reassuring you in your decision to come to Twisted Pine. On top of their unique selection of year-round beer, including their famous... Read More

Boulder is a quaint city known for its majestic Flatirons, world-class rock climbing, road biking, and foreword thinking, environmentally conscious residents. For someone new to Boulder, or maybe for a long-time resident who prefers the comforts of home, it might not be immediately obvious that Boulder is also home of one of the best happy hour selections in the country. From Mexican-American restaurants to pub-style breweries, Boulder just about has it all. Usually my friends and I can’t seem to settle on just one restaurant for happy hour. Luckily, many of the restaurants that offer... Read More