Evan Semon
Audio By Carbonatix
The metro area’s bar scene spans cocktail havens, neighborhood watering holes and beloved dives, some of which have stood the test of time for decades. But soon, one of the longtime staples of Boulder’s drinking scene will pour its last beer.
On March 14, the world-famous Dark Horse bar and restaurant will celebrate its 51st anniversary while also marking the end of its run at 2922 Baseline Road. The spot is an institution, beloved by generations of fans and filled with colorful local memorabilia collected over its long history.
The future of the Dark Horse has been uncertain for the past two years, ever since a plan to turn the parking lot at 2952 Baseline Road off U.S. Highway 36 in Boulder into a mixed-use development dubbed Williams Village was announced in January 2024, prompting residents to show up in droves at a public hearing to express their desire for the Dark Horse to stay.
In March of that year, Andy Bush of Morgan Creek Ventures, a real estate development firm working on Williams Village, said, “What we’ve committed to doing together is to have the Dark Horse stay in the current location until redevelopment occurs, which is probably about two years, when you think about the process.”
Evan Semon
That prediction was spot-on, but now, we’re at the end of that timeline; it appears that Boulder did not “see the light” before committing to demolishing this local institution.
“While this is not the path we would have chosen for this historic location or our business, we are deeply grateful to have been part of Boulder’s culture for more than half a century,” the Dark Horse shared in a February 12 social media announcement confirming the March 14 closure. “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. As sad as we are, we plan to honor the Dark Horse by closing with as much joy, energy and fun as possible. We invite you to utilize this final month, especially March 14th, to come make some final memories, enjoy the history, and honor the legacy that we have built together as a business and a community.”
The message also included a request for those who plan to visit during the Dark Horse’s last days: “Let’s end this era with a bang! As we prepare to end this chapter, we ask you to treat the property and staff with respect. Please leave everything as it is and treat our amazing staff with kindness and understanding during this difficult transition.”
This might not be the end of the Dark Horse for good, though. Back in March 2024, Bush noted that there was a plan “to create a transitionary location and ultimately to provide a new location on the property for the Dark Horse so it can continue to thrive and survive for the next twenty to forty years.”
While no official announcements have been made by the owners of the Dark Horse just yet, its closure announcement does end on an optimistic note. “We hope to see you again, in another time and another place. Stay tuned…,” it concludes.
Any new version of the Dark Horse will never be quite the same as the original, but perhaps its spirit will still live on. In the meantime, bring your patience and best behavior while bidding farewell to this one-of-a-kind watering hole.
Dark Horse is located at 2922 Baseline Road in Boulder and will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday until March 14. For more information, visit darkhorsebar.com.
