Grab a Stool & Stay Awhile: Taverns, Pubs & Saloons of NW Larimer County
After a long day of chasing trails, casting lines, or just soaking in the beauty of the high country, there is nothing quite like settling in with a cold brew and a plate of something hearty. From the Poudre Canyon to the village of Red Feather Lakes to the crossroads of Livermore, our taverns and saloons are more than places to grab a drink — they are the heartbeat of these mountain communities, where the beer is cold, the welcome is warm, and a stranger is just a neighbor you have not met yet.
So come as you are, pull up a stool, and taste the true spirit of the Rockies. Here is where the locals go.
The Mishawaka
Poudre Canyon — riverside music, cold drinks, and a deck over the water
“The Mish” is a Colorado legend. Perched right on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River, this iconic spot pairs cold drinks and good food with some of the best live music in Northern Colorado — and a riverside deck that turns any hot afternoon into the coolest seat in the canyon. Come for the bands, stay for the roar of the river and a drink in hand as the canyon walls glow at sunset.
The Poudre Pub at Glen Echo Resort
Rustic, in the Poudre Canyon — a riverside basecamp
Tucked into Glen Echo Resort along the Poudre River in Rustic, the Poudre Pub is the perfect place to toast a day well spent in the canyon. Whether you have been fishing, four-wheeling, or just driving the Poudre Canyon Byway, pull in for a cold one and canyon hospitality where the river does the talking.
The Thirsty Moose
The area’s newest watering hole
The new kid on the block, and already earning its regulars. The Thirsty Moose brings fresh energy, cold drinks, and a friendly place to land after a day in the high country. Swing by, grab a stool, and help us welcome the newest spot to the neighborhood.
The Tavern at Red Feather Lakes
The local’s living room, right in the village
If you are looking for the quintessential local’s living room, look no further. This friendly, no-frills gathering spot is the heart of the village — where the beer is cold, the atmosphere is warm, and everyone feels like a neighbor the moment they walk through the door. The perfect place to kick back after a day on the trails or the water.
The Potbelly Restaurant & Lounge
Red Feather Lakes — cozy mountain comfort
At the Potbelly, mountain comfort food meets cozy, laid-back dining. Settle into the lounge with a cold drink and a plate of something hearty, and let the day wind down the way it should up here — slow, warm, and in no particular hurry.
Rigby’s Roadhouse
Livermore — home of the famous green chile rellenos
Ask a local where to find the best comfort food and a cold drink after a big day, and they will point you straight to Rigby’s. This family-owned mountain gem serves up hearty plates, live weekend music, and a welcoming hometown vibe to the Livermore and Red Feather Lakes crowd alike. Come hungry, stay for the band.
The Forks Mercantile & Saloon
Livermore — historic crossroads, fresh eats, cold drinks
A genuine piece of Livermore history, the Forks is your must-stop hub at the crossroads to Red Feather country — fresh eats, local goods, a cold drink, and a friendly face before (or after) the mountain adventure. Gas up, grab a bite, and soak in a saloon that has been welcoming travelers for generations.
The Ranch House at Beaver Meadows
Beaver Meadows — scenic mountain dining and a log-cabin bar
Experience authentic mountain dining at the Ranch House Restaurant & Pub, where rustic charm, scenic views, and hearty meals make a true Colorado escape. Pull up to the log-cabin bar, order a cold one, and settle in where the pines meet the plate.
Know a spot we missed?
Our mountains are full of good stools and cold drinks, and this list grows right along with our community. Run a tavern, pour a good pint, or have a favorite we have not featured yet? Add it to our free Business Directory — keeping our neighbors’ doors open and their glasses full is the whole reason we do this.
And however you spend the evening, get home safe. These canyon roads are dark and winding, so line up a designated driver and let someone else take the wheel.