Ace Hi Tavern

Since alcohol put Golden on the map, it’s not surprising that one of the area’s best dive bars is located in this town. Bar fans have been living it up at the Ace Hi since Leo Stillman purchased the old Opera House restaurant on historic Washington Avenue and opened the bar back in 1961. Leo’s son, Sid Stillman, eventually took over, and today it’s run by Leo’s grandson, Mike Stillman. The Ace Hi is still a place where workers getting off their shifts at Coors Brewing plop themselves next to Colorado School of Mines students recovering from a tough day of classes. The place is Western-themed and Colorado-proud, with maps of the state and “Native” signs adorning the walls, as well as old-fashioned steer horns fancied up with Mardi Gras beads stationed above the cash register.