The Colorado Club – which opened on May 28th in Downtown Boulder – is a neighborhood saloon and grill that takes cues from the American West, offering a lively, convivial atmosphere and a wide-array of approachable American fare at accessible prices. It is the latest opening from Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality, a Colorado-based restaurant group that includes concepts like Corrida, OAK at fourteenth, and Bellota in Boulder, and BriDer and C Burger in Denver, under its portfolio.
Half Eaten Cookie’s founder, Bryan Dayton, calls it a “homecoming” of sorts, as his first-ever bartending gig in Colorado was at this same address. Back then, it was Juanita’s, a Mexican mainstay that had operated for 28 years before closing in 2011. Since then,1043 Pearl Street has had a multitude of concepts open and close – from Italian trattoria PastaVino, to seafood-focused Wild Standard and Pepper The Noshery, then Middle Eastern Ash’Kara – and, finally, The Sophomore, a sports bar geared towards the CU crowd.
“It’s funny how things come full circle sometimes. My start in the restaurant industry began right here at this very address,” says Dayton in a statement. “When the opportunity came across my table, I was highly interested. Boulder has been my home for many years, and I am excited to open a neighborhood hangout that has great food and drink, upbeat energy, and warm hospitality. The Colorado Club is for everyone – from students and young professionals to families and older generations – this is a place where the community can come together.”
Dayton’s business partner, Executive Chef Samuel McCandless, is leading the charge on food. “The intention behind our menu at The Colorado Club is to have something for everyone. This isn’t fussy or fancy food – it’s food that’s comforting, craveable, and done right with the best ingredients,” says McCandless. “We want our guests to come back multiple times a week – they can order their usual or try something new.”
The Colorado Club’s menu features an assortment of shareable appetizers, fresh salads, hearty sandwiches, flatbreads, large plates, and desserts. There is also a dedicated kids menu that ensures a welcoming atmosphere for families.
Highlights include appetizers like Loaded Nachos (House Fried Corn Tortilla Chips, Black Beans, Pepperjack and Cheddar Cheeses, Housemade Salsa, Green Onion, Sour Cream, Avocado); Baked Brie (Golden Puff Pastry, Apricot Honey, Warm Seasoned Flatbread); Fried Buffalo Chicken Wings (Celery, Carrot, Choice of Blue Cheese or Ranch); Fried Broccoli (Crispy Onions, Apple Cider Gastrique, Herbs), and more. Flatbreads are made in-house (thanks to the pizza oven that the team inherited from the space’s PastaVino days) and include options such as Brie and Prosciutto (Garlic Oil, Spiced Fig Jam, Brie Cheese, Arugula, Balsamic, Thin Sliced Prosciutto) and Spicy Salami and Smoked Mozzarella (Red Sauce, Smoked Mozzarella, Red Onion, Spicy Salami, Basil). Between the bread, there’s The Colorado Club (Triple-Decker on Texas Toast, Thin-Sliced Deli Turkey, Smoked Bacon, Shredded Lettuce, Tomato, and Chili Mayonnaise) and the Cubano (Mojo-Marinated Pulled Pork, Ham, Swiss Cheese, Pickles, Spicy Mustard), among others, while larger plates feature options like Shrimp & Grits (Jumbo Shrimp, Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, White Cheddar Grits) and Sautéed Salmon (Grilled with Jasmine Rice, Pickled Vegetables, Chimichurri). Like its sister-restaurants Corrida and C Burger, The Colorado Club also features the group’s private regenerative beef label, Colorado Cattle Company (CCC) – there’s the French Dip (Slow Roasted, Thinly-Shaved Roast CCC Beef Sirloin, Caramelized Onions, Swiss Cheese, Spicy Horseradish, Natural Au Jus), the 12-Hour Braised Beef Brisket (6 oz CCC Beef Brisket, Savory Herb Pesto, Buttermilk Red Potatoes, Sour Cream, Green Onions, Butter); the Steak and Fries (6 oz Marinated CCC Beef Sirloin Steak, Seasoned Fries, Herb Butter) and the Colorado Club Cheeseburger (6 oz Pub-Style Burger with CCC Ground Beef, White BBQ, American Cheese, Crispy Onions, Smoked Bacon-Jalapeno Jam, Brioche Bun). Finally, for something sweet, The Colorado Club offers baked-to-order Chocolate Chip Cookies, a Double Fudge Brownie Sundae, and Ice Cream or Sorbet.
The beverage program at The Colorado Club, developed by Half Eaten Cookie’s Beverage Director Collin Griffith, features bespoke libations such as the refreshing Buff’s Spritz (Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, Cucumber, Lemon, Sparkling Wine) and the smoky and spicy Ralphie’s Revenge (Mezcal, Habanero, Mango, Lime). Timeless classics include an Old Fashioned (Bourbon, Demerara, Bitters), Barrel Aged Manhattan (Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura), TCC Negroni (Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth Blend), and Espresso Martini (Vodka, Espresso Liqueur, Cold Brew, Demerara), among others. The bar also offers “Sharp Shooters” like a Kamikaze (Vodka, Orange Liqueur, Lime) or Green Tea (Irish Whiskey, Peach Schnapps, Sour Mix, Sprite), as well as non-alcoholic options like Hot Girl Summer! (Watermelon, Lemon, Soda, Tajin). Guests may also enjoy a selection of canned/bottled beer, rotating brews on tap, wines by the glass, and soft drinks.
The bi-level, 3,200 square foot space captures the raw, unfiltered charm of a classic saloon and dive bar. Rustic decor elements like taxidermy displays and photographs of old-timey cowboys smoking cigarettes pay homage to the Western frontier, while a color palette of slate blue, rust, and gold mixed with natural barn wood and iron accents provide a warm and inviting ambiance while reinforcing the rugged aesthetic. There is seating for up to 88, with 44 seats in the bar area and 44 seats in the main dining room. The Colorado Club is also an ideal spot for sports enthusiasts, boasting eight TVs that will broadcast both local and national games. Later this Fall, The Colorado Club will launch a speakeasy-style bourbon bar in the lower level space.
Happy hour runs daily from 3:00 to 5:00 PM and features drink and food deals. Also keep an eye out for Western Whiskey Wednesdays, which will include live music programming and drink specials.
The Colorado Club is located at 1043 Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado. It is open on Sunday through Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM (kitchen closes at 9:00 PM), and Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM (kitchen closes at 10:00 PM). Cash and all major credit cards are accepted. Reservations are accepted and walk-ins are welcome; reservations must be made for parties of 8 or more via Toast.
