The Astoria Bar - Fort Collins

The Astoria Bar

146 N. College Ave

Fort Collins, Colorado 80524

(970) 484-0995

Mon - Sat: 5:00 pm-2:00 am

Sun:    7:00 pm  -2:00 am

When the Vault closed, old town was lacking a local’s kind of place that was big enough to accommodate a crowd, but small enough to still feel intimate. When it was announced that a new lounge called Astoria would open, we thought (or knew) redemption might be at hand. After a visit and a few drinks, Astoria has proven to be a top notch kind of cocktail place and raised the bar in old town.

Atmosphere:  The walls have been painted several shades of red with hints of gold, giving it an old time swank feel. There is a giant chandelier in the middle of the place and red pendant lights dangling above the bar area and the front windows are adorned with red sheer drapes. The floors are a hard wood and the bar top itself is black tile with wood trim. The actual bank vault is still there and inside of the vault room hangs local art work. There are tables throughout, with chairs and bench seats, and a few couches near the fireplace. The vaulted ceilings and old architecture gives the whole place a very gothic feel. The patio in the back is still reminiscent of the old vault, but has been painted in shades of orange. We were told it is a work in progress.

Service:  Service was great at the bar and the bartenders know their drinks. The entire staff seemed like they genuinely enjoyed their jobs and were having a good time taking care of their patrons.

Drinks: The bar is fully stocked with a well-rounded variety of higher end liquors. The drink menu has a Latin theme in tune with the Cuban food menu. With twelve tap handles, they offer a great selection of Colorado crafted beers and not just the bigger brew houses. The bartender informed us that they are constantly rotating in new beers and  they even have their own beer called “Astoria Ale”.

Food:   We were in for the drinks on this occasion, but a couple of the patrons said that the Cuban fair being served - is delicious. The menu is pretty simple offering appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts all for under $10.

Amenities:  Pool Table, covered patio, ATM machine,  local art work for sale.

Parking:  Parking is available in old town where ever you can find it.

The Buzz: Happy hour Monday - Thursday from 5pm - 7pm and again 10pm – midnight, daily drink specials, service industry specials Sunday and Mondays.

Monroe’s Lounge - Loveland

Monroe’s Lounge
5542 E. US Highway 34,
Loveland, Colorado 80537
(970)667-7810
http://www.monroeslounge.net
Sun – Thu:  4:00 pm -10:00 pm
Fri – Sat:     4:00 pm – 2:00 am

We like to dabble in sophistication, but when someone suggested we head over to Monroe’s Lounge, in the Best Western Hotel we shuddered! Best Western has a bar? Or better yet- a lounge? But being professionals (and thirsty), we went for it one Saturday night and the place was packed! We quickly realized our notions were way off base and settled in for a great time.

Atmosphere: The lighting in Monroe’s is dim and inviting, with candles lit on every table, on shelves, as well as above the bar. When walking in we were impressed with the large half circle bar that creates a focal point. The lounge is small but cozy and still provides plenty of seating throughout. The walls are painted in warm colors and donned with local art work. There are small wood tables throughout, as well as on the upper level, which also provides booth seating. There is a small stage area across from the bar and on this night a good band was playing at comfortable conversation level. The crowd was mixed with out-of-towners who were staying at the hotel, a handful of locals and a few hardcore drinkers from a wedding party, but all age groups included.

Service:  Service was great considering the place was packed and there were two servers and a bartender. The servers assisted each other in getting orders in and out while the bartender kept the pace mixing and serving drinks.  The staff definitely went out of their way to make sure everyone was well taken care of.

Drinks: The bar is fully stocked and has a well-rounded selection of micros and domestics. The wine list was a nice compliment to the drink menu, which featured some classic drinks, as well as some originals. If you do go for their happy hour, they offer two for one drinks on beer, wine and cocktails.

Food: Monroe’s menu is impressive and reasonably priced. They have a decent selection of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads and specialty entrees like sirloin steak, New York steak and chicken cordon bleu. We enjoyed the chipotle chicken sandwich and the black and bleu burger during our visit and both were served on tasty brioche buns.

Amenities:  HD TV’s, touch tunes juke box, mega touch video games, free Wi-Fi, popcorn machine.


Parking:  There is plenty of parking around the Hotel in the parking lot.

The Buzz: Poker night on Monday and Wednesdays, happy hour daily from 5pm-7pm, trivia on Thursday nights, live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

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.

CLOSED Drake Park Restaurant & Lounge - Fort Collins

Drake Park Restaurant & Lounge

802 West Drake Road
Fort Collins, CO  80526
(970) 494-6445
http://drakeparkrestaurant.com

Monday – Saturday 4pm to close

Sunday - Closed

Closed Down

We tend to veer towards locally owned bars and restaurants and Drake Park Restaurant & Lounge is owned by All Occasions Catering Company, who have been doing business in the area for over 16 years. This seems like a good bet for a company who have been successful in catering for so long, but the location is not ideal.

Atmosphere:  We should explain that the lounge and the restaurant are almost two separate entities and only joined by a series of kitchens and hallways from within. The lounge itself looks like a store front to the west of the restaurant. Inside the lounge is a small bar surrounded by high top tables.  The lighting is a little on the bright side, but that’s OK because this place has nothing hide.

Service:  We sat at the bar and our service was top notch.  The staff was all very friendly and a few even joined us for cocktails after their shifts.

Drinks:  There are four alternating  beers on tap and a well balanced selection of local micros and imports.  The cocktail menu includes some classic drinks as well as some more creative concoctions.  The bar is well stocked with a few top shelf selections for almost every kind of liquor.

Food:  We started the night off with appetizers - the “Spinach Artichoke Dip-Filled Bread Bowl” ( served with veggies and crackers) and the “Cowboy Fondue”. The spinach artichoike dip was probably the best we have ever had and the meat-filled fondue plate did not disappoint  Other appetizers on the menu include Chili Chocolate Chip Bacon, Mussels Abruzi and Sausage Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms  There is also a dinner menu offering categories such as “Pottage”, “Carnivore Cuisines”, “Fantastic Foul” and “Every day Comfort Foods”.

Amenities:  HD TV’s , free Wi-Fi, Several banquet rooms, dessert tray, hot towels, Children’s Menu, Senior Discounts,

Parking:  There is plenty of parking in the shopping center where it is located.

The Buzz:  Happy hour Monday  through Saturday from 4-6 pm with 2 for 1 on wells, calls, draft beer, Wine by the Glass and Specialty Cocktails, 1/2 off on All Appetizers during happy hour, live music on Saturday’s,  Purchase a lunch or dinner entree for 3 and the Birthday person eats free,  weekly wine tasting, only $15 per person for a flight.

Elliot’s Martini Bar - Fort Collins

Elliot’s Martini Bar
234 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(970) 472-9802
http://www.elliotsmartinibar.com/
Monday – Saturday  4:30PM – 2:00AM
Sunday  8:00PM – 2:00AM

It may be hard to believe, but there are times when we feel like being well behaved and sophisticated adults. Regrettably, upscale bars are an endangered species in the Old Town area. Whether you’re out on a date or with some friends Elliot’s is definitely a classy place to start off your night.

Atmosphere:  We had a seat in a secluded booth across from the bar and were quickly taken with this mellow atmosphere. This is a very dim bar with a lounge-y, but hip feel to it. There is a feel of nostalgia with the retro couches, booths & tables and the old foreign films being projected on the back wall. Jazz music played low enough to carry on a conversation, making this an easy place to settle into for the night. The crowd was mellow and comprised of small groups and couples sitting quietly in booths, as well as out front on the patio.

 

Service:  Table service at the booth we were sitting in, was friendly and quick.  Even with a little crowd, the bartender didn't miss a beat – sliding out some complex martinis in just a few shakes.

Drinks:  Elliot’s pride is in its mixology and cock-tailing. With an abundance of martinis being featured on there vast drink menu, we had a hard time deciding. We went with two sweet concoctions called the Dreamcicle and Naked in the Woods Martini’s. Both martinis were delicious and lead us to believe that the rest of the menu is equally pleasing.  Saying they have a fully stocked bar is an understatement. They have a vast array of cordials, spirits, and liquors. Elliot’s is also a beer consoeurs dream. They offer a wide variety of local micros as well as one of the best collections of imported beer offerings we have seen. There are some domestic beers available, but it would be bordering on a sin not to order something a little more exotic.

 Food:  Let’s keep it real, we went for the Martini’s. Honestly the only part of the menu’s we read was covered with libations and the only food we ate, came in our drinks. There is a small menu consisting of Tapas’ dishes like an olive dish, cheese and crackers and a spinach dip,  all under $10.

Amenities:  Projector showing classic movies, patio, free Wi-Fi.

Parking:  You will have to find parking where you can in old town.

The Buzz:  Happy Hour from 4:30-7:00 Monday through Friday, Happy hour double martini for the price of a single.

Ace Gillett’s Lounge - Fort Collins

Ace Gillett’s Lounge
239 South College Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-449-4797
http://www.acegilletts.com
Mon – Thu   4:00 pm-12:00 am
Fri – Sat       4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sunday        4:00 pm-12:00 am

In a town overflowing with themed bars and college hangouts, Ace Gillett’s brings a very welcome touch of class and swank to Old Town Fort Collins. This easy-to-miss spot is the perfect escape from the tourists and college crowds swarming the streets above.

Atmosphere: The subterranean lounge is tucked away under the historical Armstrong Hotel.  The lay out of the lounge is impressive and cozy. There are intimate booths, small tables, and a long and stylish bar. The swanky design is the perfect setting to sip some top-notch cocktails and enjoy the jazz band that plays four nights a week. The music level is perfect for conversation and the sound quality in this small space is amazing. This dim space is strewn with glass dome fixtures and tiny disco ball like lights in the ceiling, making it a perfect date-night spot. The laid back crowd was a mixed bag, but the one common theme between everyone was intimate conversation and libations.

 Service:  Service at the bar was friendly although a little slow, but considering 4 out of 5 drinks must be muddled, it is understandable. With that being said, the bartender was very busy making drinks for the five cocktail waitresses hustling to and from patrons in a packed house.  The waitresses’ seemed to be the only thing out of place in this well thought out environment.  Perhaps it was just one of those days for all of them, but the lack of any sort of congruent outfit combined with disheveled appearances just made them all seem like an after thought.

Drinks:   The bar staff mixes up an assortment of martinis from classic to cucumber as well as other alcoholic concoctions. The cocktail menu is strewn with ingredients like elderflower and ginger and all drinks are a relative bargain during their daily happy hour.  If you’re not in the mood for a fancy cocktail their well rounded selection of ultra premium liquors combined with an equally well rounded selection of local and imported micro brews should be able to quench your thirst.

The "Deleuze Delight"

Food:  Ace Gillett’s offers a menu of fine Mediterranean style tapas, appetizers and pizza style flat breads as well as a few desserts, all for about $10 and under.

Amenities:  Live music, stage area, hotel access, elevator, piano.

Parking:  Parking available any place you can find it in old town.

The Buzz: Live jazz, swing or blues music Wednesday through Saturday night, banquet facilities, gift certificates, free Wi-Fi, Happy hour daily from 4 pm to 6 pm, catering services, take out menu .