Lebowski's Taproom — Restaurant in Colorado Springs

Foods good. But they literally just decided to close because they weren’t busy. That’s what business is all about sometimes you’re busy sometimes sometimes you’re not but regardless, you stay open during the hours that you are open on Google Facebook and every other online website. I spend hundreds of dollars at this place weekly and I will never be back.!!!!!!! a place that closes just because they didn’t make any money during the day to me. You shouldn’t be in business if you can’t handle a couple days of not making any money and then you just decide to close early to try to save money. Because you closed early, you now are missing out on an $80 order. don’t you think that would help labor. Terrible business model never ever going back.

UPDATE: owner responds with as you can see a terrible response.

I never gave time for your employee to solve the problem…?? Seriously. I even asked if they could make my order because I order so much and it was 9:09! She said kitchen is closed because you were slow. I own a business. It’s common practice to close when slow…?? Every business everywhere would close almost 60% of the time. Look it up. Not one business other then Massive companies don’t earn their money through the day. Each business has a time of day when they make the most. My business per your “common practice” would mean even though I’m open 10-10pm since I’m slow from 10-4pm everyday. I should just close right.!!?? Makes no sense. You never know when someone is going to order 1000$ worth of whatever you’re selling. It’s always worth to stay open during the times you say your open via social media or your own website or Google. I have been in business for over 15 years. Never heard of a business that closes where they want and how they want. How is that convenient to customers. The whole reason I’m doing all of this is because of your decision. You would rather close early and loose customers. Which means no money, no employees, then you work because your the owner then you would have to close. Exactly in that order. Did you own during COVID. Because that’s exactly what happened. Your response is very unprofessional. I spend literally 500 a week there. Was it worth it to close early and now loose that income. Since it’s basic “restaurant practice”….right…

Would you still close your doors if you knew you had an order at 9:30pm that was over 500$ after having a slow day..?? If you would. You shouldn’t be in business. Why do you think some business and restaurants make a lot of money. Basic and simple. Convenience. You can have the best Busienss in the world, but if it’s on the wrong side of the street. It’s now the worst business in the world.

Don’t forget this. Aren’t you in the business of making money and or satisfying...

“A Cinematic Twist on Brunch and Brews in Colorado Springs”

Stumbling into Lebowski’s Taproom felt a bit like wandering onto a film set where retro Americana meets neighborhood craft bar. I hadn’t heard of the place before, nor was I aware of its quirky homage to The Big Lebowski — but within seconds of walking in, I was greeted warmly and seated at the bar by a kind, attentive bartender who set the tone for what would be a memorable afternoon.

The vibe? Unmistakably unique. It doesn’t scream “chain” or “gimmick.” It whispers nostalgia, with a backdrop of curated local charm. I asked about the backstory, and the bartender shared that the owners originally envisioned a 1950s-themed restaurant — but a trip to Iceland, of all places, inspired them to pivot to something more eccentric: thus, The Lebowski’s Taproom was born. A niche concept, but one that works — mostly.

Their menu leans lean, especially on the food side, but what they lack in variety they make up for in intention. The beer list features a curated selection of local brews — don’t expect 50 taps, but do expect thoughtful choices. I opted for a brunch classic, the breakfast burrito, and paired it with an IPA from Red Leg Brewery, a local favorite.

While waiting, I had the chance to chat briefly with Dave, one of the owners. A genuine presence — he was out on the floor, talking with guests, checking on orders, helping staff. That kind of leadership is felt, not just seen.

The burrito arrived, and here’s where the experience briefly faltered. The menu noted it came with avocado and sour cream — but neither appeared on the plate. I had to request them after the fact, which took away from what otherwise could have been a stronger presentation. That kind of detail matters.

Also worth noting: during my visit, a customer at a nearby table waited 20–30 minutes with only a Bloody Mary to show for it before ultimately walking out. No one wants to see that — especially not the owner who’s clearly working hard. The front-of-house team could benefit from some tighter training and proactive table coverage. A small operational gap, but one that leaves a big impression.

Still, I see potential here. A lot of it. The ambiance, the people, the local angle — it’s all there. Lebowski’s Taproom just needs to tighten the bolts on execution. With a bit of polish and consistency, this could evolve into a real cornerstone of the Colorado Springs food-and-drink scene.

Final Verdict: A charming, concept-forward taproom with standout hospitality and great local beer. Worth a visit — just hope the kitchen and service teams find their groove soon.

Recommended for: Locals who want a laid-back atmosphere, a well-poured IPA, and something off the beaten...

Bottom Line: This is possibly the best place I have been in Colorado Springs for food and exceptional cocktails - everything about it is superb, from the basics to the details (keep reading for specifics).

For the people who are just looking for a good restaurant: the food is great. The menu is for bar food like burgers and chicken tenders, but the food is very high quality. $15 burgers are common these days, and one never knows how good it will be, or even if they will cook it to the right temperature. I ordered one here that was huge, delicious, and cooked to the requested temperature, perfectly. So much better than I've come to expect dining out! The burger was served with a sizable portion of perfectly crisped tater tots, which we requested instead of fries. My spouse ordered chicken tenders that were also perfectly cooked, with just the right amount of crisp, all white meat.

But the cocktails... these were truly special. Lebowski's distills their own Coffee Liquor called Kool Luah, and the cocktail menu is perfectly designed to showcase it. More than half the cocktails have Kool Luah in them, but you'll find that they are so well-crafted and well-balanced (and the liquor itself is high quality) that they do not overpower with coffee flavor. They also have a creative and thoughtful menu of drinks without Kool Luah to offer a broad range of flavors for any palate. Usually, menus of this depth and complexities are reserved for speakeasies, but you can get it here alongside delicious food.

And then, there is the theme and ambiance. Their namesake is the Coen Brothers' cult classic "The Big Lebowski," whose paraphernalia peppers the bar, and "The Dude's" love of the White Russian inspired their crafting of their delicious coffee liquor. Patrons can see the "rug that really tied the room together," bowling trophies, and a menu named after the heroes of the story (my burger was the "Walter"). While I personally love the movie and the theme, it is not a prerequisite for loving this bar. But it did add some nice color to an already amazing experience.

The food, the cocktails, the liquor, and the theme. If you like any one of these four things, you should come to Lebowski's. As someone who loves all four, I will be back here like The Dude to his favorite...