Doc Holliday Tavern, in Glenwood Springs

​Colorado Road Trip

I spotted this fabulous neon sign, 2 years ago. Don and I were leaving Glenwood Springs, after our stay at the historic Hotel Colorado, when I spotted the 20-foot sign. 

"Look at that!" I shouted to my driver. Poor Don misses so much when we're on the road. "I can't believe that was just a block away from our hotel!" 

I added the tavern to my "next time" list and we continued on.

Lunch at the Saloon

This June, we were traveling through Glenwood Springs again. It was lunchtime and we were in luck. The saloon opened at 10 am.

The entrance to the saloon looked a little eerie with Doc's piercing eyes. But we headed inside anyway.

1880's
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At noon on a Monday, the saloon was pretty tame. There were no whiskey drinking gamblers or beer guzzling bikers. The old place was about as calm as it probably was in the 1880's, when it was a mercantile store.

Doc's Bar?
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Don and I took a seat at Doc's bar... which of course was not Doc's bar. Doc died down the road, in 1887. He may have entered this space when it was a store, but he never got to see this beautiful bar, which was built in the east, in the 1870's.

Beer at the Bar

​Don and I split a beer... since we were on the road. I offered up a toast to the famous gambler/gunfighter/dentist. 

It was a little sad to picture Doc in 1887, dying from tuberculosis. I'm sure he would have preferred to have gone out in a dramatic gunfight, rather that a hospital bed, in Glenwood Springs.

Admiring the Bar

​I allowed myself to look like a tourist, when I pulled out my cell phone to snap a few more photos. I loved the old cash register, tucked between the liquor bottles and beer taps. The arching backbar and mirrors glowed, with more neon. 

Some history in the menu, said the antique bar traveled from the east to a bar in Leadville, Colorado. It didn't come to this location until the 1920's. Maybe Doc did have a drink or two at this bar. He lived in Leadville, before his final days in Glenwood! 

Quick Lunch

​Don and I chose this place for the iconic sign. Even though the bar caters to tourists, we did not assume we'd get good food. I always keep my expectations low.

But our grilled ham and cheese with waffle fries was actually pretty tasty... served on a china plate, for about $5. Our somewhat frazzled bartender/food server was also very sweet. She seemed to be the only one on duty to serve the bar and tables.

Exploring
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Before hitting the road, I gave myself a quick tour. The stone fireplace was a good reminder of the tavern's age.

Photos

I was glad to have daytime lighting, to help me explore with my camera.

I wouldn't have felt quite so comfortable snapping photos after 10 pm, the time when the  tavern claims to no longer be Family Friendly. But I'm sure the people watching would be better.

​Big Nose Kate

My trip to the restroom was interesting. The large photo near the door, showed a bloody face. (Glad I'd already eaten) The Ladies Room door was titled "Kate" with an image of her, on the door. The woman known as Big Nose Kate, evidently tended to Doc, in his ailing last days. The restroom itself was curious. The stall had swinging saloon doors.

We finished up, just as the lunch crowd was thinning out. I glanced at a few more displays behind the round booth, as we headed out.

Eerie History
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I wish I could have learned a little more about the building itself. The tavern's front, was such a funny mix of wood and stone, shingles and brick. It was hard to tell what the original building looked like.

I tried to search for some info about the neon sign's history. All I learned was that the sign appeared in the 1950's. I did however learn some creepy info about a bartender being murdered at Doc Holliday's about 20 years ago. That's not history they're going to print in the menu.

I'm going to try to forget that grisly info and focus on that fine, neon pistol. I love a good sign and this one lured us in and gave us a nice road trip lunch break. I'll drink to that!