Not the ones who bought a bunch of s*** at an auction and bolted it to the walls - I’m talking about local places that have real history.
I just spent hours at My Brothers Bar in Lower Downtown Denver. If you walked by it you’d never know it was a bar. There is no signage whatsoever. It looks like someone’s quaint old house. Inside, there are no Televisions and the only music is classical determined by the bar staff, who can also make you a perfect Old Fashioned or pour a great Guiness.
This was the hangout for the Beat writers of the 1950’s. Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, Alan Ginsburg… There is a framed letter on the wall from Cassady (written from prison) asking a friend to pay off his bar tab.
The whole place reeks of history.
Brother’s is my favorite bar in Denver. The patio in the Summer is the best. If you get a chance, check out Pints Pub on 13th, I think? all house made British style beers and the largest Whiskey collection I’ve ever seen.
(1) Damons in Glendale, CA. Excellent Mai Tais and steaks to die for.
(2) Joe’s On Broadway, Chicago. A true neighborhood bar.
(3) “57” in SoHo, NYC. You have to know where it is because there isn’t a sign. Narrow, long and dark. Good cheap drinks in Manhattan.
(4) Hinano in Venice, CA. Strictly a beer bar but the burgers are good and the locals are friendly. Free popcorn most days and nights.
(5) Ernies in Eureka, CA. Another neighborhood place. And dog friendly.
“Taxi Takeaway” - The sign is always unlit, the doors always look closed. I went by for years wondering about what the hell a taxi takeaway place was for. Is it takeaway taxis you can bring home? Taxis that drive takeaway to people? No, it’s a punk bar, with a pretty good DJ, a foosball table and the worst advertisement ever.