West End Tavern: Three Decades of Atmosphere
06 Dec 2017
Iconic brews, views, food and fun
By Veronica Penney Photos by Phil Mumford Many Boulder residents will be hard-pressed to remember the west end of Pearl Street before The West End Tavern. Founded in 1987, the tavern has adapted and changed alongside Boulder, but its focus on downright good food and a friendly atmosphere keeps locals and visitors coming back for more.
(photos by Phil Mumford)
The West End Tavern (303-444-3535, www.thewestendtavern.com) is located at 926 Pearl St., Boulder 80302. The restaurant is open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday.Patrons can get a taste of West End’s famous smoked wings for just 87 cents each (a nod to The West End’s inaugural year) on the happy-hour menu, or attempt the Wing King Challenge—50 wings in 30 minutes. Drink and food specials run from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday through Sunday, with additional daily themes including Cheesy Monday with build-your-own mac and cheese (starting at $9), and Throwback Thursday movie nights at the upstairs bar.
pair with their many specialty
brew offerings. (photos by Phil Mumford)
Belly Up to Miss Kittie’s Bar
When it comes to beer, look no further than The West End’s 20 rotating draft lines. “We have something for everyone,” says Millikin. “I can look at the list and I have a cider, I have a sour, I have a stout, a porter, a barrel-aged beer.” The permanent draft list showcases Colorado brewers, and thanks to close relationships with them, The West End Tavern is able to offer rare brews and batches that have limited distribution.
Behind the handsome ground-floor bar, which hails from a famous Oregon Trail stop called Miss Kittie’s Saloon, The West End Tavern has curated an impressive spirits selection. Their authority in craft whiskey encompasses a collection numbering more than 200 bottles, some of which are available nowhere else. Malt liquor enthusiasts up for an adventure can join the Whiskey Club, where $15 earns you a tasting card, a whiskey guidebook, and the chance to sip some small-batch, single-
barrel whiskeys at a discount.
Much like The West End Tavern, the building the restaurant occupies has deep roots. City records date the building’s construction to 1906, when it housed Boulder’s police station, then the Red Cross and later The Spaghetti Factory before The West End Tavern opened in 1987. Low lighting and varnished tabletops create a tavern-like feel in the first-floor dining area, and even the tables have Colorado roots: The wood was sourced from trees destroyed in the 2002 Hayman Fire.
From the main bar and dining area, a staircase leads to a second bar and a rooftop dining area with heat lamps and a view of the Flatirons. As Boulder has grown, the rooftop view has changed, which is why the upstairs bar is being renovated this winter to offer diners views of Pearl Street.
blue cheese dressing and bacon
bits is updated with cherry tomatoes.
Veronica Penney is a Colorado-based freelance writer who can often be found riding her bike west of Boulder. Her culinary enthusiasm and outdoor adventures are fueled by strong black coffee and the hope of finding an excellent cheese plate.
