A nightlife guide for colorado springs

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

The sun has set over Pikes Peak and youre ready to party. Maybe go dancing, see a show, take in dinner theater. No problem. As many things as Colorado Springs has to offer in the daylight, theres still plenty to do after dark.

DOWNTOWN

Within the last few years, downtown Colorado Springs has become THE place to be. In the daytime, the place is great. At night - LOOK OUT - and I mean that in a good way!

RUM BAY is one of the top spots downtown. This place is huge - located in the old Woolworth Building. Two dance floors, with DJs spinning tunes. A tropical theme complete with both American and Caribbean food. This place gets crowded early.

THE RITZ GRILL is a popular place for the downtown professionals to head after work. Later, it gets to hopping with a very busy restaurant-lounge and a large central bar. Live music on the weekends. This is a favorite.

JACK QUINNs, an Irish pub with live music, sing-alongs, Guinness and Harp on tap - Have a black and tan while youre there and shoot the blarney.

THE WAREHOUSE - Restaurant, brewery and art gallery wrapped into one. This is an upscale place. Stop by here before or after the symphony.

15c - Tucked away in an alley off Tejon Avenue, downtown, (behind Old Chicago) is the best martini bar in the Springs, maybe in the State, maybe in the West. Part of its charm is the single purple light over the nearly unmarked door. Have a French Kiss or a Jerry Garcia or even just a simple Manhattan. Youll love this award winning bar.

V BAR - Another downtown martini bar, easier to find perhaps (on Kiowa Street). Nice place to enjoy your martini, quiet conversation and, if youre lucky live music.

PHANTOM CANYON BREWING CO. - A popular spot downtown to have a specialty brew - even homemade root beer for the designated driver. These beers are not filtered, nor pasteurized and are served at the temperature right for each. Theres a billiard hall upstairs.

Venturing away from downtown there are a number of interesting bars, pubs and dance halls around town.

COWBOYS on Palmer Park and Academy is where you two-steppers will want to head. Huge dance floor, country western music and even dance lessons available. Boot scoot right over with or without your cowboy hat.

DUBLIN HOUSE - The best sports bar in town. And more than a sports bar, this is a friendly, fun place to hang out. Watch a game, eat some wings, have a beer.

GOLDEN BEE at the Broadmoor. This 19th-century English pub was literally shipped over from across the pond and reassembled here. That should count for something. And the Broadmoor doesnt do anything half-way, either. You can enjoy a pint with your favorite British specialty including shepherds pie, Devonshire cheddar-cheese soup and maybe an English trifle. Tap your toes to the ragtime pianist that keeps the place jumping.

MEADOW MUFFINS in Old Colorado City - This place rocks day or night. Great hamburgers, movie memorabilia on the walls and oodles of personality. DJs spin records or theres live music in the evenings - hey, karaoke every other Tuesday night as well. Green beer on St. Pattys day, as I recall, though, doesnt everyone?

If youre more into theater than bar and pub hopping, the Springs has a lot to offer. Several local theater groups perform regularly at the Bon Vivant Theater, in the old Compassion International Building (Austin Bluffs and Union). The Air Force Academy theater group, the Blue Bards, have regular plays at Arnold Hall. And at the City Auditorium, the Star Bar Players almost always have something lined up at the Lon Chaney Theater and, on Saturday nights, for five bucks you can see the Rocky Horror Picture Show run and casted by the folks at the Belle Starr Restaurant. Free Popcorn, even. Does it get any better than that?

The Pikes Peak Center attracts an occasional Broadway show as well.

Melodrama more your style. Dont you just love to boo and hiss at the villain - hes the one with the cheesy mustache - and cheer the brave hero to the end. Located in Manitou Springs is the Iron Springs Chateau, which not only give you great melodrama but a family style dinner with free seconds. BRAVO!!

The Colorado Springs Dance Theater hosts international dance companies at the Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Colleges Armstrong Hall and other venues. They bring in top names like Mikhail Baryshnikov, Ballet Folklorico of Mexico, and Americas National Ballet Company.

Colorado Spring Symphony Orchestra - usually at the Pikes Peak Center - For a city the size of the Springs, their symphony is extraordinary!

Well, there you have an overview - truly an overview since Colorado Springs has a LOT to do - of the nightlife to be had. I didnt even mention going to a Skysox game, or a Colorado College hockey game. I didnt tell you about the IMAX theater. I gave no attention whatsoever to the independent film scene in the Springs. To top it all off, I gave no indication that seeing the Seven Falls at night is delightful.

Enjoy!