Today, we had the chance to stop by My Brother’s Bar for a quick lunch. This is a Denver staple that we have talked about on our tours, but haven’t had a chance to visit until today. While we only stopped in for a quick bite around lunchtime, we definitely got a good feel for the type of place this bar and restaurant is. A few words that immediately come to mind are fun, energetic, and historical.
The location of the bar (15th and Platte) has the privilege of being the spot for the oldest continual bar in Denver. Dating back to 1873, this building has the been the home to a number of saloons and bars. With the exception of the prohibition era, there has always been tasty adult beverages flowing at this establishment. And, in case you were wondering, they do still get to keep the title of “oldest continual bar in Denver” despite the prohibition era (hey, it was illegal to run a bar during that time so they should get a pass).
This particular establishment was taken over by the Karagas brothers in 1970 and actually went nameless for a number of years. They eventually came up with the name “My Brother’s Bar” and it has stuck around for the last 45+ years. Want to know more about the where name came from? Check out our “Denver In A Day” tour or our “From Mining to Modern” tour where we highlight this particular establishment.
If you do decide to stop in for a drink, a bite, or both, here are some things to know before you get there. It is a full bar, so you can get your favorite mixed drink if that is your particular fancy. For beers, they have a good selection of non-standard choices (sorry to all the Coors Light aficionados) so you should be able to try some new brews. For food, they have a good variety of bar food, but make no mistake that the selection is definitely bar food. If you’re looking for duck confit or beef wellington you will not find it here. But that’s ok, as what they are known for is their cheeseburgers. While the actual number of burger choices is limited and not over-the-top, they make sure to put all their effort in delivering a quality product. To this foodie, the true measure of a burger is to strip it down and serve it up as simple as possible. If you can put out a quality product without the a million toppings covering up the flavor, then you’ve done something right.
Definitely check out My Brother’s Bar if you haven’t already. This is definitely a spot that the locals go, so if you are a local and haven’t been, you are missing out. If you’re visiting the area, stop in and check out a great piece of Denver history. Where have you been?
