The Dark Horse, a longtime Boulder bar and restaurant, announced it will close. Since opening in 1975, the Boulder staple has been celebrated for its craft beers, hearty burgers, and classic American bar fare. Owners expressed gratitude for the community’s support over five decades.
Dark Horse Announces Closure
The Dark Horse is a landmark dining destination in Boulder. It has served generations of students, families, and residents. Unlike neighborhood bars, Dark Horse charmed visitors with its quirky, museum-like décor, vintage signs, and walls full of memorabilia.
Just steps from the University of Colorado campus, Dark Horse became a favorite spot for students and locals to celebrate, catch a game, or unwind after work. The menu has traditional American bar-and-grill roots. Burgers, sandwiches, wings, nachos, and comfort-food staples are the specialty of Dark Horse.
The restaurant has announced its permanent closure on its 51st anniversary on March 14, 2026. In a social media post, the restaurant thanked thousands of employees and countless patrons for their contribution to Dark Horse’s success.
The team has encouraged patrons to make the most of these final days and pay a visit. Longtime customers are saying their last goodbyes to the restaurant by hosting get-togethers and remembering the good old days.
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The Baseline Road and 30th Street area, home to Dark Horse, is set for redevelopment, forcing the beloved bar and nearby businesses to close.
The Dark Horse’s final weeks are expected to draw customers eager for one last visit. Even as the property transforms, Dark Horse leaves a lasting legacy in Boulder’s dining scene.
