Tavern On 26th — Restaurant in Lakewood

I've been going to this particular establishment for decades through multiple owners, mainly for karaoke. They still do karaoke 5 nights a week (9pm-1pm). Tavern may be the longest continuously running karaoke bar in Denver and they do it up right with past and present professional musicians--Randall (Snakefoot) and Alise--running sound. It's not unusual for the high-energy Friday/Saturday night shows to swell to 60 singers or more. In fairness, it's not a karaoke bar in NYC's theater district or Greenpoint (Brooklyn), but you will hear a lot of exceptional vocal performances from pro and semi-pro singers in addition to the usual karaoke gold. These days, the Denver metro music scene is crawling with talent.

Tavern's current owners added live music (Monday Madness Open Mic (Facebook) plus periodic extra shows) and a beginner stand up comedy open mic (Tuesdays). While I haven't been to a lot of them (but not all), on most Monday nights, I would say that the Tavern's open mic is the best free show in town. Hosted by members of local up-and-coming band Blue Mesa, means that the show attracts other local gig bands including Dancing With Dante, All Through the Night, Snakefoot, Baby Houseman, The Sandbox and occasional visits from national touring bands like Powerhouse, as well as, a range of exceptional solo performers. The sound quality is decent to good. The music is an eclectic mix of styles spanning the last century of popular music. It's hard to say enough good things about the Monday Madness Open Mic.

The drinks are still in the low-cost range for the area. The crowd ranges from college to senior. Fun mix. The owners had reopened the kitchen, but it's closed again. In its place, they put ordering information for the local restaurants in a menu for patrons. That gave the Tavern a bit of a Miracle on 34th Street vibe. Instead of the limited fare from a single kitchen, patrons can order any fare they like.

For Minnesota Vikings fans, Tavern on 26th makes the top 10 for Vikings fan-bars. I have to say that the Vikings fans are some of the coolest football fans I've ever come across.

Add darts (league/non-league) and pool to finish the mix of good, fun casual entertainments that the current owners have...

I got into a arguement with a guy at a park for sitting right behind the girl that was beside me at a three bench Concrete table. There were other places he could sit. When i told him to move, he just sat there with his leg in between me & my girl. So i said again You need to move!!! This guy put his arms around her & said "I'm Cold. So i pulled my Stungun & Zapped it in the air. When this guy sees the sparks, He got up & ran tripping over his feet falling in the rocks. Then he tells the Owner Karen i stunned him in the bar. She Karen without even going over her cameras 86ed me. This was over 2 years ago! After i thought everything was OK almost 2 year later a girl named amy kept getting in my face while i was with my friends. Even my friends told amy to go away! & leave me alone. She persisted & came back saying thought i was 86ed? & why was i there? Very disrespectful & Rudely to me, So when i told her it was none of her business. She told me it was cause she works there. Karokee changing songs on a laptop (yes!) But never poured a customer a drink, never took money from people to put in a cash register, So i told her she didn't work there, Amy gets ofended & cries to bartender Patty. Patty 86 me yelling at me! Rudely again!. I've never done anything to get 86ed from this bar. Must be because I am a non drinker & drink cherry coke. Or It might be that I'm a Christian who just wants to sing!!! Karen is Very Non Understanding after The orignal guy that sat behind my girl told Karen it didn't happen in her bar & he lied to her. Mikey & Sandy iare the Best Bartenders this Place Has!! & should be working for a Better Place with Better Pay!!! For Better...

So my story goes a little like this: I went in last night with my girlfriend and everything was fine and dandy. We were greeted with a warm welcome from the bartender, he checked our Identification, and we got our beers. It was lovely.

But today was a different story. We were greeted by a less than inviting bartender. She checked both our IDs, but when she got to mine, she wouldn't even read it. She saw that it was horizontal and told me that I needed my "adult" ID. She didn't care to notice that my identification has not expired, and that I'm 23 and eligible to buy beer. I could have brought in my passport if she needed that but her charming attempt of getting us out of there as fast worked really well.

We just moved here and are looking to become regulars at a bar, this is definitely not the bar to do that at apparently.

Too long didn't read: One of the bartenders wouldn't provide service even with proper identification...