Iconic Dark Horse closing its doors in March
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Dark Horse will close next month. Photo: Cliff Grassmick/Daily Camera via Getty Images
Boulder's World Famous Dark Horse will close in March rather than relocate after its demolition for the Williams Village II project.
Why it matters: The potential loss of the Dark Horse had long worried residents after developers first announced plans to redevelop the site, and its closure means another of Boulder's longtime businesses is history.
The latest: Dark Horse officials announced in a Facebook post late Thursday night that the bar would close following its 51st anniversary celebration on March 14.
Catch up quick: The Dark Horse was slated for demolition as part of the Williams Village II redevelopment, which will add more than 400 housing units to the area off of Baseline Road and U.S. 36.
- The owner of Williams Village, Petur S. Williams, had stated in an op-ed in the Boulder Reporting Lab that he wanted the Dark Horse to be in "the very heart of the redevelopment" with a new building.
- Williams Village officials also were hoping to find a temporary home for the Dark Horse to remain open during the construction phase.
Yes, but: Dark Horse owners themselves never publicly committed to staying open past the demolition date, which was pushed back from December to March thanks to an agreement with the city of Boulder.
- "While this is not the path we would have chosen for this historic location or our business, we are deeply grateful to have been part of Boulder's culture for more than half a century," the post read.
- Developers were informed about the closing date, Williams Village spokesperson Bill Rigler told Axios. Officials with Dark Horse did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday.
The big picture: The Dark Horse, known for cheap burgers, karaoke, BINGO and its collection of antiques hanging from the ceilings and walls, has long been a cherished spot for many University of Colorado Boulder students and grads.
- Now it will become the latest in a string of Boulder student hangouts to close in the last 15 or so years.
What's next: Instead of simply a celebration of 51 years, March 14 will now also serve as a sendoff for the iconic dive bar.
- "As sad as we are, we plan to honor the Dark Horse by closing with as much joy, energy and fun as possible," the bar posted on Facebook.