Town Tavern
Hansen, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out this neon lit marquee for the Town Tavern in Hansen, ID. 08-06

The Town Tavern operated from a building dating to 1906 during the early years of Hansen following the development of the Twin Falls Canal system. For many years, the tavern was a familiar gathering place for local residents and visitors passing through town. The letters sure draw you in.

UPDATE: The original owners of the Town Tavern retired and closed the business. The building has since been repurposed as the South Hills Bar & Grill, which continues to operate at the location today. 06-26

Round Up Room Pocatello, ID Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn Here are a couple of shots of the Round Up Room in Pocatello, Idaho. The neon letters on the front facade make this one pretty hard to miss. 10-06

Ford's Bar
Idaho Falls, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Here's the marquee for Ford's Bar in Idaho Falls. Looks like this could be a place to shoot some pool while in town. 10-06

Established in 1906, Ford's Bar is considered the oldest continuously operating tavern in Idaho Falls. The building still retains a few reminders of its early days, including horse-tethering rings mounted outside from a time when customers arrived on horseback rather than by car.

UPDATE: Ford's Bar remains open today under the name New Ford's Bar. While the interior has been updated over the years, the business continues to serve as a downtown gathering spot more than a century after it first opened. 06-26

A-Frame (Gone)
Denver, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

Check out this interesting sign at the A-Frame, located near Denver, CO. Looks like there's both a martini glass and a cup of coffee being shown off on the marquee. Apparently they had both ends of the day covered. 11-07

The A-Frame operated from a distinctive roadside building northeast of Denver along Interstate 76. Over the years, the property served as a gas station, restaurant, and lounge. The sign's combination of a cocktail glass and steaming coffee cup reflected the variety of services offered at the location.

UPDATE: The A-Frame building sat abandoned for many years before the property was redeveloped. The vintage sign was removed in 2021, but fortunately it was preserved. The marquee resurfaced in 2023 at a Denver restoration shop where it was repaired and restored for a private collector. 06-26

Murphy's Tavern
Colorado Springs, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

Next to the Navajo Hogan is this huge sign for Murphy's Tavern. Between the giant sign and the Hogan next door, this stretch of North Nevada Avenue has probably caused more than a few drivers to take a second look. 11-07

The building dates back to 1924 and originally served as a filling station before becoming a diner in the 1930s. In 1954, Irish immigrants Mary and Thomas F. Murphy converted the place into Murphy's Tavern, complete with a building that somewhat resembles a giant coffee cup.

Murphy's also has a claim to fame that goes beyond cold beer. According to Colorado College lore, three professors met here and came up with the idea for the school's unique Block Plan academic schedule.

UPDATE: The original Murphy family ownership came to an end shortly before the pandemic and the tavern closed for a period of time. New owners renovated the property and reopened Murphy's in November 2021. The landmark vertical neon sign received a full restoration in 2023 and once again lights up North Nevada Avenue. 06-26

Western Bar (Gone)
Brighton, CO
Photo courtesy Larry Glass

The Western Bar can be found just north of Denver in the town of Brighton. According to the marquee, the Western Bar is "Brighton's Best Kept Secret." With a giant arrow pointing at the front door, it may not have been all that secret after all. 11-07

Located on Main Street in downtown Brighton, the Western Bar was one of those places that probably wasn't for everyone. By the time this photo was taken, the establishment was operating as an adult entertainment venue, complete with the kind of neon signage that made it pretty clear something was going on inside. Whatever your thoughts on the business, the sign itself was a great piece of roadside advertising and a memorable part of Brighton's downtown streetscape.

UPDATE: The Western Bar closed in 2007 and the property eventually moved on to a very different chapter. The vintage sign is gone and the building has been renovated. Today the storefront is home to Silk & Co., a boutique clothing shop. Quite a change from the days when the Western Bar was keeping Brighton's "best kept secret." 06-26