Generations Wine & Martini Bar - Loveland

Generations Wine & Martini Bar
127 W 4th St
Loveland, CO 80537
970-619-8294
www.generationswineandmartinibar.com
Tue – Thu    11:00 am-10:00 pm
Fri – Sat      11:00 am-11:00 pm
Sun             11:00 am-10:00 pm

Blink and you might miss this place when driving down 4^th street in Loveland. Since it was still day light outside, we caught a glance of this little spot on the far west side of the developing downtown area and went in. Once inside we learned this place opened this past January and is mostly a local’s hang out – for now. They have done a lot with the building considering it was once a pizza place.

Atmosphere:  The outside isn’t much to look at and other than the sign out front; you may not think its any type of bar, let alone a wine & martini joint. The inside is painted in grays and deep purples with black carpet on the floor. The walls are lined with old pictures of unknown people to whom we believe represent the name “Generations”.  The bar itself is long and takes up the west side of the narrow building and is lined with white retro style bar stools, that are a bit wobbly but comfy once perched upon. There are tables with couch style bench seating on the opposite wall and a patio opening in the next week. Before night falls, this place is a little on the bright side for a bar but it still has an intimate feel. Classic movies played on a few tv’s and classic music from the 40′s and 50′s could be heard.

Service:  Service was great at the bar. In fact, there were twice as many workers as there were customers.

Drinks:  Generations has a well-stocked bar leaning heavily on flavored vodkas however, for a martini bar we were a little disappointed with their lack of quality gin. They have a couple of micros on tap as well as a selection of domestic, imported and micro bottles to choose from.  The wine list is well thought out, but the martini selection seems to be fluffed with well-known shots turned into a larger martini versions. The lack of originality was made up for with execution of the “Cherry Cheesecake” martini, which managed to be as decadent as cheesecake, yet still light and refreshing. The “Joes” (a classic dirty gin martini) was shaken to perfection and blue cheese stuffed olives were a welcome garnish. Oh and if you are there when the train passes by they offer $2 shots called “train shots” from a dispenser sitting behind the bar.

Food:  The menu isn’t the largest we have seen but is well rounded with a selection of Tapas, flat-bread pizzas, sandwiches and wraps. We enjoyed the roasted red pepper hummus that was served with crackers, pita bread and fresh vegetables.  Everything is very reasonably priced with nothing over $13 and most appetizers are half price during happy hour.

Amenities:  Flat Screen TV’s showing classic movies, gluten free menu, patio.

Parking:  You will have to find parking on or around 4^th street.

The Buzz:  Happy Hour from 3 to 5 pm daily, weekly specials on food and drinks, service industry night every Sunday from 7 to 10 pm.

Scotty O’Brian’s Pub - Loveland

Scotty O’Brian’s Pub

237 E. 4th St. 
Loveland, CO 80537 
(970) 667-9388

Monday 1 pm to close

Tuesday – Sunday 11pm to close

 Wedged unassumingly on 4^th street, in downtown Loveland is this little dive. We spotted it while in route to other locations and had to give it a try.  First impressions say a lot and for Scotty O’Brian’s, there really isn't much to say. 

Atmosphere:  On the outside this place appears to be the typical inviting dive with glowing beer signs. Once inside you will be taken back a decade with old tube TV’s and a stereo playing music from a poorly tuned radio. This dark and narrow bar is a no frills watering hole or maybe better put, watering hole - in -the - wall. There is a bar along one wall and high top tables along the other, leaving just enough space to walk through. The walls are adorned with beer signs and liquor paraphernalia, but nothing other than a shamrock in the front windows implies this is an Irish pub. There is a mirror back to the bar so we enjoyed our own reflections while having a few beers. This is the kind of place for drowning sorrows or intimate one on one time without the worry of being disturbed.

Service:  The service was good, having two people (presumably the owners) behind the bar and a handful of people to serve.

Drinks:  There are 4 beers on tap and nothing fancy. The bar is fully stocked and able to grant you your drinking wishes.  But don’t come looking for anything fancy here.  This is strictly a no nonsense type of drinking establishment.

Food:  No menu or food here unless you consider popcorn a meal. They do have frozen pizza they will heat up for you if you get really desperate.

Amenities:  Video bowling game, Mega touch, popcorn maker, 1 flat screen TV, old school TV’s music from a radio.

Parking:  Parking is available in downtown Loveland.

The Buzz:  Happy Hour Monday through Friday 4 to 6 pm.

Sports Station – Loveland

Sports Station
409 N Railroad Avenue
Loveland, CO 80537
(970) 461-8825
http://www.sportsstationco.com
Monday-Friday     11am – Midnight
Saturday-Sunday   10am-Midnight

The Sports Station was not our initial destination but we couldn't resist exploring this transformed train station (hence the name). After a little research, we discovered this historic train station was originally built in 1902 and turned into Sports Station in 2006. Much of the original benches were kept and are currently used for seating. The building itself retains the charm of a previous era while providing sports lovers a place to stay on top of their game.

Atmosphere: We entered the bar through the side door and initially assumed we had stumbled upon another dive bar. The bar itself is a little dim and crammed with a low- key kind of crowd, but  felt cozy at the same time. Flat screens can be seen while sitting at the bar or the outer high top tables along the bar walls. There is also a front door inviting customers in for some casual dining. Between the bar and dining room area is an open game room with video games, shuffle board and other games to keep your children occupied while you enjoy a cold beer or warm meal. The dining area is done simple while the majority of sports memorabilia modestly occupies the bar walls.

Service: This place has a full service restaurant side with servers and separate bar side, with its own entrance.  The bar was fairly busy but the bartenders made it a point to make time to talk to all their guests.

Drinks: Sports Station has a fully stocked bar with nothing much out of the ordinary. The regular domestic light beers are on tap, as well as a few local micros you don’t see anywhere else.  With micros being priced at $3 and a couple of rotating handles, it makes this a great spot to stop in and try something new.

Food:  There are lots of food perks going on here – like; build your own burger, a nightly Prime rib special, 6.95 lunch specials and on Mondays .99 cent tacos!  The menu itself covers it all the American food classics as well as some healthy options like salads and wraps. We couldn’t find anything on the menu over $10. There is a kids menu as well as a small  dessert section.

Amenities: Game room, Touch tunes jukebox, trivia, large patio in front, pool tables, shuffle board, 10 HD TV’s, projection TV, shuffle board, ATM, Toy grab machine, foosball, pinball machine.

Parking:  Parking is available in downtown Loveland.

The Buzz:  Breakfast served on weekends, happy hour 3PM to 6 PM Monday through Friday, Atomic hot wing challenge, Late night happy hour Monday-Friday 9 PM to 11 PM, free food delivery downtown, Uniformed teams receive  $10 domestic pitchers, catering, private parties, patio rental.

Chillers Bar & Grill - Loveland

Chillers Bar & Grill
128 E. 4th Street
Loveland CO 80537-5502
970 – 613-1948
http://www.chillersloveland.com/
Mon – Sat: 4:00 pm-1:30 am
Sun:       11:00 am – 12:00 pm

We like to head south to Loveland for a drink and live music every now and again. When drinking in Loveland, the scene is on 4^th Street. And when on 4^th Street, we can’t help but notice the multi- colored- lights- strands, wrapped around the poles on Chillers front patio. Some might think they are a tad bit tacky, but they seem to draw the natives in like moths to a flame. This place got crowded and crazy on this particular Saturday night, and we were glad to be there to take it all in.

Atmosphere: The Technicolor ”Chillers” sign above the patio out front and glass cube walls, can be deceiving or maybe conflicting once inside. We were relieved to find dark colored walls and an inviting indoor atmosphere, making it a perfect dive bar – in our opinion. The east side of the bar is lined with small tables and stools while the bar itself provided ample seating. There was a back room with darts and pool tables as well as a small stage area up front. Light wood-paneling and brick walls were decorated with quirky pictures, depicting famous rock stars (Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix & The Beatles). In sync with the music-appreciation theme  are the old ticket stubs displayed  in the well-kept bathrooms. Our only complaint would be the gushes of smoke that blew in from the patio out front, through out the night. As for the crowd- it’s difficult to describe. The back half of the bar was full of 50 year old (and up) hippy types, who more likely than not were fans of the Grateful Dead and Phish, while the other half was much younger, drunk and sloppy. After 10 pm, we recommend staying towards the back of the bar with the old hippies.

 Service:  We sat at one of the cocktail tables and before we could make it to the bartender to order he was at our table.  The service was good and as the place got busier the cook even jumped behind the bar to help out.

Drinks:  Chillers doesn’t quite have a fully stocked bar but it’s awfully close – they are only lacking a few premium liquor choices.  They have the usual domestics on tap with a couple of micros.  And we have to comment on the fact that they have Busch ( and PBR) in a can, as well as their own line of coozies for sale.

Food:  Although we didn’t eat, there is a menu here from 4 to 10pm. It is a basic menu consisting of greasy bar favorites like nachos, wings, fries and burgers, but also provides a few healthier options in the wrap section. They have a monthly special listed on their board behind the bar.

Amenities:  Jukebox, patio in front, pool table, free Wi-Fi, TV’s, darts, fireplace, projection TV, ATM.

Parking:  Parking is available on 4^th street.

The Buzz:  Wednesday night is ladies night with domestic beers and wells for $1.00, Friday and Saturday nights have live music, daily happy hour from 4 to 7 pm with $2 domestic drafts and wells.

Henry's Pub - Loveland

Henry’s Pub
234 East 4th Street
Downtown Loveland, CO 80537
(970) 613-1896
http://www.henrys-pub.com
Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.

Downtown Loveland is booming with new stores, breweries and restaurants, but for us it has become our new destination for drinking. Henry’s pub advertises, on their website, that they have the largest selection of alcohol in the area and that’s all we needed to see to give them a chance.

Atmosphere:  Located in historical down-town Loveland, Henry’s pub is a small but inviting brick building. Inside, the dark, cherry-stained wood walls and warm colors gives it a very comfortable, yet masculine appearance. There is a variety of dark wooden tables throughout as well as booths along the outer walls.  There is a large bar area in the back of the building, with plenty of seating and a few flat screen TV’s. The walls are decorated with the works of local artists and softly illuminated by track lighting, while the rest of the place is dim.

Service:  Upon walking in we were greeted by two hostesses who quickly sat us at a table. Our server was prompt and polite with a good knowledge of the beers on tap. We eventually made our way to the bar, where service was friendly and prompt as well.

Drinks:   Henry’s touts having one of the best selections of top shelf liquors around- and they are correct. While they may have not had all of our favorites, we certainly couldn’t deny that they have a great selection. Now if 18 year old scotch isn’t your thing, then maybe one of the several local craft beers (that they keep on a constant rotation) will wet your whistle.

Food:  The menu consisted of good old American food with many seafood selections. We ordered the Sourdough Burger ($11.99) and the French Dip ($8.99) and both were fresh and tasty. The rest of the menu is what you would expect – Appetizers, Salads, Desserts, Burgers, Soups, Sandwiches and entrees like Steak & Shrimp and Buffalo Meatloaf. Upon first glace, prices seemed immoderate, but after finishing our meals, they were worth it.

Amenities:  HD TV’s, free Wi-Fi, catering, local art on display, kids menu, heat lamp.

Parking:  Street parking is available in downtown Loveland.

The Buzz:  Sunday night fish fry 4 to 9pm, Monday through Friday lunch specials from 11 to 4 pm, happy hour Monday through Friday from 5 pm to 7pm.