A genuinely casual roadhouse in the hamlet of Woody Creek, 16 km north of Aspen and a world away in feel. The Tavern opened in 1980 and quickly became Hunter S. Thompson's local — he lived half a mile up the road and his presence is everywhere in the place, from the framed manuscripts and photos on the walls to the regulars who still remember him at the bar.
The food is Mexican-American (fish tacos, green chile, burgers) and well above what a roadhouse needs to be. The margaritas are big and the beer list is local. On summer weekends the deck out back is packed by mid-afternoon. The drive up the Woody Creek road from Highway 82 is short and pretty, along the Roaring Fork through cottonwood groves; the bus from Aspen also stops at the door.