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Top 10 Bars in Fort Collins, Colorado

Also known as “Choice City,” Fort Collins, Colorado, is one of the top bike-friendly cities in America, offering over 300 miles of biking trails for residents and tourists alike.

Many people love visiting the city’s spacious parks. It’s home to over 20 craft breweries.

If you’re interested in sampling their best beer, plenty of bars around the area offer quality brews. 

Don’t know where to get a drink during your stay in Choice City? Check out this list of the best bars in Fort Collins, Colorado.


Social

1 Old Town Square #7, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 449-5606
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One of the best places to go out in the Old Town neighborhood is Social, a laid-back bar with an industrial, old-school speakeasy aesthetic.

I love stopping by this bar to unwind after a long day. Although the bar doesn’t take reservations, it’s a great place to hang out with large groups.

Their menu features cocktails, wine, and rotating draft beers. I like pairing a Lavender Sour or Black Bramble with deviled eggs or beef sliders.


Town Pump

124 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 493-4404
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Another one of the best bars in Fort Collins, Colorado, is Town Pump, nestled within Old Town Square. Town Pump is one of the oldest bars in the city, serving quality drinks since 1909.

It has a casual, rustic atmosphere, emphasized by its brick walls to mounted deer head decor.

Consider stopping by during their happy hour from 3 PM to 6 PM for $1 discounts off their draft beers. My go-to brew is their Juicy Haze IPA.


Pour Brothers Community Tavern

220 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 493-4368
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Located in the heart of the Old Town area, Pour Brothers Community Tavern is one of the top spots to enjoy quality drinks with your friends.

Its cool atmosphere makes it a popular destination for locals and tourists. The bar’s wooden decor enhances its low-key vibe.

This bar’s mixologists serve quality craft cocktails and 20 rotating taps of local brews. I like pairing their Blueberry Lavender Cider, Apricot Blonde, and Whiskey Sour with tater tots or a three-cheese flatbread.


Surfside 7

238 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 221-4281
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Stop by Surfside 7 if you’re looking for fun places to go out with your friends in the Old Town area. Its vibe is casual and lively.

They have free karaoke on Wednesdays and occasional live music. The bar has outdoor seating for patrons who want to enjoy a drink with pleasant views of the neighborhood’s streets.

They serve a wide selection of beers and cocktails. Try their Apple Ginger Bucktail or Denim Demon with pizza, chicken fingers, or corn dogs.


Tap and Handle

307 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 484-1116
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You can find Tap and Handle in the Old Town West neighborhood. This laid-back bar is perfect for unwinding and sampling the city’s finest brews.

They have outdoor seating on their pet-friendly patio and host happy hour every Monday through Thursday from 3 PM to 5 PM.

Their bar offers over 70 rotating beers on tap. Consider ordering their Malpais Stout, Dominga Paloma Sour, and Raspberry Basil Saison with BBQ pork nachos or spicy cauliflower bites.


Elliot’s Martini Bar

234 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 472-9802
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Elliot’s Martini Bar is a lively and stylish cocktail bar. It’s half a mile away from the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.

The bar’s booth seating and dark lighting add extra class, making it the perfect getaway for enjoying late-night drinks after exploring the neighborhood.

Their menu offers a creative selection of martinis, beer, wine, and cocktails to pair with tapas, like cheese and mixed nuts. Don’t miss out on their Strawberry Martini or FOCO Vice.


The Whisk(e)y

214 S College Ave # 2, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 818-7931
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The Whisk(e)y, located west of Library Park, is one of Fort Collins’ top fun places to get drinks because of its hip, clubby ambiance.

Enjoy this destination’s live music while hanging out with your friends in cozy leather booths.

Besides cocktails and beer, their drink menu offers bourbon and scotch. Although I like their Mint Julep and Havana Mule, I recommend sampling their blended scotch flight if you prefer treating your friends to something new.


Ace Gillett’s Lounge

239 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 805
Phone: (970) 449-4797
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Nestled inside The Armstrong Hotel, Ace Gillett’s Lounge is one of the best bars in Fort Collins, Colorado, offering a stylish and elegant setting for an immersive nightlife experience. The venue has live jazz music performances to enhance its vibe.

Ace Gillett’s Lounge offers quality cocktails and elevated bar bites to any patron craving the city’s best flavors.

During my last visit, I enjoyed their Cara Cara Cocktail and Ruby Soho with an order of crab cakes.


The Crown Pub

134 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 484-5929
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The Crown Pub is a relaxed, English-style brewpub within walking distance from Civic Center Park.

This bar has a few outdoor seating options by its bold red front entrance resembling a telephone booth. Every Sunday, they have live jazz music in their lower lounge from 7 PM to 10 PM. 

Their cocktail, beer, and whiskey selections are excellent. I usually order a Drunken Cherry Old Fashioned or Spiced Apple Mule. Their drinks taste great with fish & chips or a sandwich.


Road 34 Deli & Tavern

1213 W Elizabeth St, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Phone: (970) 221-3434
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Road 34 Deli & Tavern is one of the best bars in Fort Collins, Colorado, with a hip atmosphere, bike-themed decor, and outdoor seating.

It’s near the City Park Heights neighborhood, west of Colorado State University. I enjoy playing pool with my friends while sampling our drinks.

They offer over 30 beers on tap and hot bar bites. I recommend ordering an Odell IPA or Hazy Blues and pairing it with mini corn dogs or fried cheese curds.


Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.

Written by Paul Kushner

I have always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. My restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time I turned 17 I was serving tables, and by 19 I was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.

In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, I opened my first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

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