A Boulder resident in the 1940s remarked that Pearl street is “a good place to buy a pair of socks.” I think this adage holds true today, and that Pearl offers Boulder exponentially more to go along with those socks. Pearl Street is supposedly named for one of the wives of the original 54 founders of Boulder. However, I have also heard whispers that “Pearl” was a madam of a brothel once located near what is now Pearl Street. The first explanation is more likely, though I find the second more provocative and appealing. If I had to describe Pearl Street, I would say it’s an intermingling... Read More

Watch out online retailers: you can’t beat this brick and mortar bookstore. Open since 1973, this three-story powerhouse is a Pearl Street Mall staple and neighborhood icon. The minimalist exterior (the sign outside the store is a testament to directness: written in chunky caps, the word “BOOKSTORE,” hovers above black gridded windows) differs from the garish, if somewhat outlandish interior. For one, the bookstore is enormous; it boasts three fully-stocked stories of books, videos, and gadgets, with each floor offering a different layout and atmosphere. “The Ballroom,” Photo... Read More

Sunday’s can sometimes be a bit of a drag – a day to sleep in, run errands, and dread work the next morning. Therefore, when it comes to finding something fun on a Sunday night, the struggle is real. On Sunday nights the majority of Boulder is a quiet community nestled in the foot of the Flatirons. Little do we know, the Bohemian Biergarten is booming every Sunday night with their gut-busting Comedy Show. That’s right, the Bohemian Biergarten is turning those lazy days into Sunday Funday. The laughs come at a $5 entrance fee, and begin Sunday at 7pm, and continue for a 2nd show at 9:15pm.... Read More

In the health-conscious city of Boulder, Rocket Fizz, the soda pop and candy shop located in the heart of Pearl Street Mall, acts as a respite for the sugar-cravers and diet-cheats. To the window shopping pedestrian, the store is unmistakable. From the street, a life-sized Spiderman sculpture beckons you into the store, his wrists poised to shoot webbing at any moment. The large window front hints at the kitsch inside, displaying cardboard cutouts of pop culture figures and retro posters. But the most luring feature is by far the variety of candy and soda inside. The store’s interior is nothing... Read More

“Why do I love Boulder? Because it’s so diverse. You have rich white people dressed as rich white people, poor white people dressed as rich white people, rich white people dressed as poor white people, and poor white people dressed like poor white people.” The crowd that surrounds Sam Malcolm on Pearl Street Mall laughs and awkwardly observes the throng of people swarming by. Sam grew up on a Paiute reservation in Nevada. He came to Boulder in 2009 to pursue juggling and street performing. With torches in hands, Sam does death defying feats of juggling, and keeps the crowd laughing with... Read More

1. Deck the Mall at Pearl Street Mall 10/26-10/27 10 am to 5 pm Start your holiday season off right with a holiday arts and crafts fair. There will be a variety of one of-a-kind seasonal items, unique holiday gifts, and handmade treasures crafted by local artisans. There will also be free live music and a free holiday craft design area. This is the perfect time to stock up on gifts for the whole family! 2. Halloween Carnival at South Boulder Rec Center 10/25 3 pm to 5 pm This annual Halloween carnival is a fun, family-friendly event with a bouncy castle, carnival games, crafts, a photo backdrop,... Read More

1. Crown the Empire at Boulder Theater 07/30 Doors: 5 pm, Show: 6 pm This concert at Boulder Theater will be featuring ATTILA, Veil of Maya, Gideon, Hawk, and Life Right Now. This metal fiasco has tickets starting at just $25. 2. Groove A Licious at Pearl Street Mall 07/31 6 pm Driving deep pocket grooves, killer harmonies, accompanied with one of the most stellar brass sections on the scene, the band brings the rootsy funk from Detroit to New Orleans. The beer garden opens at 5:30 to grab a drink before the show starts. 3. Suzanne Vega at Boulder Theater 07/31 Doors: 7 pm, Show: 8 pm Suzanne... Read More

Founded in 1979, on a farm just northeast of town, Boulder Beer has come a long way since it planted its roots in the Boulder Valley 38 years ago. As Colorado’s First Craft Brewery, Boulder Beer quickly took off, giving beer lovers an extraordinary change. After expanding their product, the brewmasters realized that they needed to expand their space as well, moving to the Pub on Wilderness Place in 1994. There are now two Boulder Beer locations – the one on Wilderness Place, and the other just off the Pearl Street Mall on Walnut. The Pub on Wilderness has to be my favorite location,... Read More

“It’s fun out here!” Michael Stedman, born and raised in Longmont, Colorado, has been working for Fast Eddie’s Hot Dogs since last spring. Fast Eddie’s has been in business for 25 years, becoming one of the hottest spots on the Pearl Street Mall, especially at night. “It’s free entertainment,” says Stedman, “there’s nothing like the bar crowd at night. Once they see this cart, I’m their best friend.” Michael Stedman is not only passionate about Fast Eddie’s; he is passionate about life. He has spent 3 months in the forests of the Ozarks under a handmade shelter helping... Read More

The bars in this city are about as diverse as the people that live here, so you have plenty of options when launching into a night out. Aside from well drinks and beers on tap at the usual places, here are a few of the main stops down along Pearl Street that you should be sure to hit: Where: Bohemian Biergarten What to get: the Boot It’s two liters of any beer on tap served in a huge glass shaped like a boot. What could be better? Swing by for a boot on Tuesdays and they’re only $8, or come by on Wednesdays to fuel up before karaoke. The Czech-style bar is authentic, rowdy, and full of men... Read More

While strolling along Pearl Street Mall, quench your thirst at Wonder Press, a juice, smoothie and coffee café. With an extensive menu of beverage options, you are sure to find something that suits your taste buds, whether it’s a cold-pressed juice, a homemade nut milk, a refreshing smoothie, or a healthy coffee drink. Wonder Press opened two years ago by Boulder natives and lifelong friends Cecily Runge, Robyn Knowlan and Brooke Jordan, commonly referred to as the “Juice Girls.” The girls noticed that juice bars were becoming the new social scene in L.A., where groups would gather over... Read More

Meet Hermee! This traveling performer is a balloon artist and a circus clown that spends his days making people smile. Starting on the east coast, he makes his way west every year, and then travels to Hong Kong for the winters. This is his third year in Boulder, and he loves the people and culture in this city. Hope to see you next year Hermee!  Read More

Saturday, September 19 Today is one of the rare $5 Days at the Butterfly and Insect Center, so you won’t want to miss out. The center features an array of various insects and other creatures for patrons to interact with and occasionally hold in their own hands! I will be missing out on holding a tarantula (scary) but don’t let your fear hold you back from experiencing the Butterfly Pavilion and all of its amenities! Enjoy all of the creatures Mother Nature has provided us to learn about. Time: 9am Cost: $5 Location: Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, Westminster. An eclectic musical performance... Read More

Ring in summer this holiday weekend for the 4th of July! There will be plenty of fun for all in the sun throughout the entire county of Boulder. Ignore the thunderstorms for they wont stay long, and it will still be plenty warm to stay outside! Saturday, The 4th of July Get your rest and then pack up your essentials for the Nederland Old Fashioned Fireworks and Festival. Nederland Fire Protection District will be hosting the annual barrel races and Big Little will be on hand for some live music. Bask in the gorgeous mountain scenery of Nederland while engaging in the various events and games being... Read More

CORRECTION: The Boulder Jewish Festival is SUNDAY, JUNE 7, and not Saturday the 6th, as previously reported. It’s nearly officially summer, but don’t leave your umbrellas at home just yet. This weekend will be one for the books, as Boulder does not merely offer just a beautiful landscape. Boulder is also a place where one can expand their mind and spirit. Take this weekend to learn something new and share it with others! Saturday, June 6 Come and enjoy the one-day Boulder Jewish Festival, where all things Jewish will be celebrated! There will be Jewish food, live entertainment, art... Read More

Boulder is full of animal lovers with roughly one-third of all households in the entire city owning at least one dog. Although Boulder has created several dog laws including a law that doesn’t allow animals on Pearl Street, it’s safe to say that Boulder is one of the most dog-friendly places in all of Colorado. If you just walk around town and notice how many happy dogs are running around everywhere you’ll see that Boulder’s dogs are friendly and have great personalities. This is exactly what the Faces of Boulder photography team did for a number of days, dog photography,... Read More

Everyone who lives or has visited Boulder knows that street performers populate the Pearl Street Mall on a daily basis putting on shows for Boulderite audiences and those who are passing by, but there is one real-life super hero street performer in Boulder who advocates for environmental awareness and enlightens those who pass by him that we are always all together on the same team no matter where we come from. That team is Team Earth and that super hero is none other than the famous face of Boulder: EARTH MAN! This AboutBoulder post features several images and information about EARTH MAN and others... Read More