Historic ‘world famous’ bar in Boulder set to close after 51 years in business

A staple of the Boulder bar scene is set to close its doors after celebrating its 51-year anniversary this weekend.

On March 14, The World Famous Dark Horse will shut down for the night for the last time. The reason for the closure is a student housing project that will mean redeveloping the land where The World Famous Dark Horse sits.

The World Famous Dark Horse – or Dark Horse, for short – is known for its eclectic atmosphere filled with movie props and turn-of-the-century antiques, first open for business in 1975 and having accumulated many loyal fans since. It’s located on Baseline Road near the University of Colorado Boulder.

With a 4.5-star rating on Google Reviews, their various burgers seem to be a top pick, though the menu doesn’t stop there. One Google reviewer described their dining offerings as “as good as bar food can get,” and that seems to be the general consensus among fans. Another reviewer chimed in to say “there has never, nor will there ever be a better restaurant bar than the Dark Horse.”

“While this is not the path we would have chosen for this historic location or our business, we are deeply grateful to have been a part of Boulder’s culture for more than half a century,” reads a statement from the Dark Horse. “We want to thank the thousands of employees and countless patrons that have contributed to the spirit and success of the Dark Horse. Every laugh, story, and shared moment made has built the legacy that will live on long after our doors close.”

The statement from the Dark Horse doesn’t explicitly address whether or not they’re aiming to reopen at another location. It does, however, come with a closing line that fans are sure to find intriguing: “We hope to see you again, in another time and another place. Stay tuned…”

To help plan a visit to Dark Horse before it closes, check out their website. The website states the spot will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

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