GOLDEN — An historic Golden bar that lays claim to being one of the oldest bars in Colorado is shedding its saloon style for a more family-friendly feel that will include an updated aesthetic and a rooftop patio.
“Truly, the Buffalo Rose needs renovated more than any other building on main street,” owner Kenny Lee said to at its Dec. 15 meeting.
The Buffalo Rose is a bar and music venue with a western vibe that hosts rock, country and blues acts. Lee is now sole owner of the business after buying out his former partner earlier this year, he said at the meeting.
Lee revealed plans to completely renovate the interior and exterior of his to include a 7,000-square-foot rooftop patio, expanded venue area and improved and a more open dining room with garage doors that open up to the sidewalk.
Lee acknowledged that the interior of the building, which spans nearly half a block, is “dark, a little foreboding.” He said the renovation will create a more family-friendly environment, an updated commercial kitchen and a venue that could be used for weddings and other events.
“It’s a strategic place in Golden and it needs a facelift,” he said.
Rick Muriby, Golden’s planning manager, said the city has been in a conversation with Lee about the Buffalo Rose’s renovations.
“Staff is glad to see they’re re-investing in the structure and staying in town and adding to the business community,” Muriby said.
Much of the conversation has been through the historical preservation board.
, said the building is the oldest bar in Colorado as far as being a bar at a single location throughout time. It . The Buffalo Rose also encompasses the original sites of multiple buildings, including a popular pool called the Golden Plunge in operation from 1928-1941. It’s still there, unfilled, underneath Buffalo Rose’s music venue.
Muriby said that while the preservation board was pleased with the interior and lower-level exterior design plans — which honor the building’s history with exposed wood beams and a matching aesthetic — they struggled a bit with the rooftop patio’s initial design.
“It was a little too modern, a little too jarring,” he said. “They asked the applicant to come back when they got closer to that phase.”
Lee did not return phone calls for further details about the project.
Todd Heirls, a partner with said at the Downtown Development Authority meeting that the renovations will be in phases starting in February. The first phase will concentrate on the expansion of the venue and exterior of the building. The next phase will concentrate on the bar, restaurant and commercial kitchen and the rooftop patio will come last. Lee said the goal is to keep at least part of the business open during much of the project and that the first phase of the project has already been permitted.
Lee said, “we will definitely want to change the whole atmosphere of the Buffalo Rose.”
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JosieKlemaier
