Denver's Cantina Bar was known for one of the city's more memorable neon displays. Mounted high above the street, the sign featured a glowing cactus alongside bold lettering that made it easy to spot after dark.
Occupying a prominent corner in downtown Denver, the business became a familiar sight for locals and visitors alike. While details about the establishment itself are difficult to verify today, the neon cactus sign remains the feature most often remembered in photographs and discussions of Denver's disappearing roadside landmarks. 11-07
UPDATE: The original Cantina Bar is no longer in operation, and its distinctive cactus sign has been removed. The building later became part of redevelopment efforts in the area, and a separate nightlife concept briefly revived the "Cantina" name in 2021. Although the business is gone, the neon cactus remains a memorable piece of Denver sign history. 06-26
Sarti's Bar (Closed)
Walsenburg, CO Photo courtesy Larry Glass
Walsenburg, CO was home to Sarti's Bar. The vintage neon sign prominently featured Coors beer and stood as a familiar landmark along Main Street for many years.
Sarti's was known as one of Walsenburg's longest-operating taverns and occupied a historic downtown storefront. The bar retained much of its old character, including its classic wood bar and tin ceiling, making it a favorite gathering place for locals and visitors alike. 11-07
UPDATE: Sarti's Bar has permanently closed. Despite local efforts to preserve and reopen the business, the historic tavern at 823 Main Street ultimately went dark. While the neon no longer shines above the entrance, photographs like this preserve the memory of one of Walsenburg's best-known neighborhood bars. 06-26
Monte Cristo Bar (Gone)
Trinidad, CO Photo courtesy Larry Glass
Here's the neon sign that stands outside of the Monte Cristo Bar in Trinidad, CO. . Trinidad is located just north of the New Mexico border. The sign is a nice example of the vintage neon that can still be found throughout southern Colorado.
The Monte Cristo was a longtime fixture of downtown Trinidad and occupied one of the historic buildings along Main Street. Signs like this once helped travelers locate food, drinks, and lodging as they made their way through town. 11-07
UPDATE: The Monte Cristo Bar is no longer operating in its original role, although the historic building remains standing in downtown Trinidad. The space is now occupied by a LivWell dispensary. While the neon sign and bar are now part of the town's history, photographs like this help preserve a look at one of Trinidad's longtime commercial landmarks. 06-26
Wildcat Saloon (Closed)
Trinidad, CO Photo and info courtesy Larry Glass
Check out the neon at the Wildcat Saloon in Trinidad. Patrons were having a "large" time when this photo was taken.
The Wildcat Saloon operated out of the historic commercial building at 308 W. Main Street, which was originally constructed around 1900 during Trinidad's coal mining and railroad boom. Located along the historic Santa Fe Trail route, the business maintained a traditional Western tavern atmosphere for decades. 11-07
UPDATE: The Wildcat Saloon closed shortly after this photo was taken, losing its liquor license in late 2008. The location subsequently operated as Moose's Pub for several years. The historic building still stands, though the original Wildcat Saloon neon sign has been removed. 06-26
Lariat Saloon
Buena Vista, CO Photo courtesy Larry Glass
Here's the Lariat Saloon in Buena Vista, CO. A line on the sign says "We Sell & Service Hangovers." 12-07
The Lariat Saloon operates out of the historic Halsey Block building at 206 E. Main Street, which was constructed in 1885 using locally manufactured brick. While the space originally housed a grocery store and meat market, it has operated as a bar under the Lariat name since the 1940s. The interior still features a historic wooden back bar that was brought into town by train from Leadville more than a century ago.
UPDATE: The Lariat Saloon underwent an extensive renovation under new ownership in 2016, uncovering the original brick walls and restoring the vintage oak floors. The business continues to operate today as a restaurant, bar, and live music venue under the shortened name The Lariat. 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
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
Cantina Bar
Lariat Saloon
Western Bar (Gone)
Town Tavern
