Reader: Sometimes Leaving Dive Bars Gritty Is Rad — But Hey, Times Change

No sooner had we lamented the disappearing dive bars of Denver when one of our favorites popped up in the news. Nob Hill Inn, which won our Best Dive Bar award in 2009 and Best Jukebox honors this year, is now definitely a contender for Best Customer Service — because...

By Patricia Calhoun

July 8, 2015

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No sooner had we lamented the disappearing dive bars of Denver when one of our favorites popped up in the news. Nob Hill Inn, which won our Best Dive Bar award in 2009 and Best Jukebox honors this year, is now definitely a contender for Best Customer Service — because yesterday bartender Bert Case rushed to the aid of a man who'd just been stabbed outside the watering hole's front door at 420 East Colfax Avenue. Michael Roberts has the story here.

Meanwhile, across town, discussion continues over the transformation of the Rosa Mia Inn, winner of our Best Dive Bar Happy Hour in the Best of Denver 2015, into the Nip & Sip, which one reader worried sounded like a hipster douchebag place. Responds Christian:

Some people hate success. Sometimes leaving it gritty and old school is rad but hey, times change. That is life, move on.

Have you been to the Nob Hill Inn? What defines a dive bar for you? And are there any good ones left in town?

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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