Popular Colorado Irish Pub Has Been Open Over 30 ‘Lucky’ Years

Popular Colorado Irish Pub Has Been Open Over 30 ‘Lucky’ Years

Lucky Joe's via Facebook

When it comes to great bars in Colorado, there's one in Fort Collins that would be sadly missed if it ever closed. Maybe it's the fun of it being an Irish Pub, maybe its about community tradition.

Old Town Square in Fort Collins Opened 10 Years Before This Great Bar Arrived

Having lived in the Fort Collins area nearly my entire life, I can honestly say that I cannot remember being in Downtown Fort Collins before Old Town Square was developed in 1985. Before Old Town Square, according to Visit Fort Collins, Linden went through all the way to Mountain Avenue. That seems crazy.

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Throughout the Colorado State basketball seasons (Men and Women,) Lucky Joe's is the site of the weekly Coach's Show radio broadcast.

It turns out that 25 Old Town Square was a different bar, The Old Town Ale House, before Lucky Joe's Sidewalk Saloon opened up in the summer of 1995. But, according to The Coloradoan, the address had been many thing prior, including the Red Garter Bar and maybe an archery.

How Did Lucky Joe's in Old Town Square Fort Collins Get Its Name?

When Lucky Joe's first opened on August 3, 1995, it was owned by Dan "Lucky" Kerig and Joe Vader. According to a 2016 interview with Medium.com, they wanted to bring an American Saloon to town

...because of the Irish and Chines immigrants that built the railroad.

According to Medium.com, Lucky Joe's started out as just a regular pub; it was the customers who pushed to make it an Irish Pub.

READ MORE: A Great New Dive Bar to Check Out in Fort Collins

It's not hard to be a fan of Lucky Joe's, that's probably why they've been open so long. They have a great vibe, great drinks and food, they have live music, a great long bar, and they celebrate CSU to the extreme.

Generation of folks in Fort Collins and beyond have gathered inside and outside Lucky Joe's; it's likely many more generations will, as well.

MORE FORT COLLINS BARS - A Look at The Town Pub

Town Pump opened on February 26, 1909 Old Town Fort Collins. Over 100 years later, the tiny bar is still serving the community.

Gallery Credit: Dave Jensen

25 Country Stars With Their Own Bars + Restaurants

Of all of the side hustles country artists could partake in, opening a bar or restaurant is the most fitting — and very common. After all, many of these stars got their start on a barstool, tip jar nearby, playing their music for anyone who would listen.

These places feel like home for many of these singers. Over the years, several artists have gotten into the bar or restaurant game, and for a select few, brands have turned into franchises with several locations and/or concepts — we're looking at you, Jimmy Buffett!

Let's take a look at the country star food and entertainment venues that have opened over the years.

Gallery Credit: Jess

Filed Under: Colorado, Fort Collins
Categories: Articles, Colorado News, Colorado Local