Hangar Bar Celebrates 75 Years

     One of East Colfax’s oldest businesses celebrates its 75th anniversary on August 24th, and all neighbors are invited. The rich history and ‘We Can Do It’ attitude behind this East Denver dive reflects the authentic all-American work ethic and loyalty of patrons throughout the years.

    The Hangar Bar, at 8001 East Colfax Avenue, is known as one of Denver’s best dive bars. It was founded by two local businesswomen in 1938, the same year that Lowry Air Force Base was founded. Rumor has it that a shuttle ran base employees, pilots and military personnel to the bar. Owners Luella Kaiser (Metropolitan Beauty Salon) and Eulalia Verdeckberg (Denver Dry Goods Company) dubbed their new enterprise “the Hangar,” and the name has stuck for 75 years. The Hangar has been much loved as a friendly neighborhood watering hole by East Denver locals ever since.
     The building was originally opened as a small market in 1926. In 1934, an entrepreneur named
Rose Baker converted the market into a tavern. It changed hands over the next few years, always as a local tavern.
     In honor of these heroic founding patrons and their beer drinking revelry, the current owner, Lorie Thomas, commissioned a light-hearted (but rather large scale) tribute, which now hangs over the main bar of the Hangar. Affectionately known as “The Beer Can Bomber,” this scale 'replica' of a B-17 Bomber was built by local Denver artist Chris Lewis out of 365 vintage (and a few not so vintage) beer cans from his own collection. The Bomber has been a huge hit with bar patrons and employees alike.

     Come join the fun on Saturday, August 24th from 3pm-midnight. A special anniversary Luau
includes a DJ, pig roast, karaoke, costume contest, prizes and drink specials. For more information, visit The Hangar Bar’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/hangardenver.