Boulder's Dark Horse to close next month after 51 years

The iconic bar and restaurant will serve its last beers and chicken wings on March 14, its 51st anniversary.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Dark Horse, a beloved Boulder haunt popular with University of Colorado students and graduates, will be closing its doors on March 14, 2026, after 51 years in business. The Williams family, who owns the Dark Horse property, plans to demolish the building as part of a larger redevelopment project to build student-oriented apartments and commercial space. While the Dark Horse management expressed sadness over the closure, they plan to honor the bar's legacy with a celebratory final month and invite patrons to come make some final memories.

Why it matters

The closure of the Dark Horse marks the end of an era for Boulder's local culture and community. The bar has been a fixture in the city for over 50 years, serving as a gathering place for generations of CU students and alumni. Its unique decor and atmosphere have made it an iconic destination, and its loss will be felt by many who have fond memories of the establishment.

The details

The Dark Horse building is set to be demolished as part of the Williams Village II redevelopment project, which will replace the bar and several other nearby buildings with hundreds of student-oriented apartments and nearly 60,000 square feet of commercial space. The Williams family, who owns the Dark Horse property, had initially planned to demolish the bar before the start of 2026, but a snag in the redevelopment's permitting process granted the Dark Horse a brief reprieve. While the Williams family has said they plan to build a new 6,000-square-foot space for the Dark Horse in the redevelopment, the bar's owners have not confirmed whether they will take them up on the offer.

  • The Dark Horse will serve its last beers and chicken wings on March 14, 2026, the 51st anniversary of the Boulder haunt.
  • In late 2025, the Dark Horse building got a brief reprieve from demolition after Williams Family Cos. and Boulder city officials worked out a snag in the redevelopment's permitting process.

The players

The Dark Horse

A beloved bar and restaurant in Boulder, Colorado, known for its eclectic collection of art and artifacts that adorn its walls and ceilings.

Williams Family Cos.

The company that owns the property where the Dark Horse is located and plans to demolish the building as part of a larger redevelopment project.

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What they’re saying

“To the amazing and loyal patrons of the Dark Horse – It is with heavy hearts that we announce The World Famous Dark Horse will officially close its doors for business on our 51st anniversary, March 14th, 2026. 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.”

— Dark Horse management (Facebook)

“Thank you for 51 unforgettable years. We hope to see you again, in another time and another place. Stay tuned.”

— Dark Horse management (Facebook)

What’s next

Whether next month's anniversary celebration really is the final hurrah for the Dark Horse remains a topic of speculation. The Williamses said last year that they plan to build a new 6,000-square-foot space for the bar in Williams Village II, but Dark Horse owners haven't confirmed whether they plan to take them up on the offer.

The takeaway

The closure of the Dark Horse, a beloved Boulder institution, marks the end of an era for the city's local culture and community. While the bar's unique atmosphere and history will be missed, the story highlights the challenges that long-standing businesses can face in the face of urban redevelopment and the importance of preserving local character in the face of change.