The bar at Bar Moxy in Boulder struck the perfect balance. It was inviting, thoughtfully designed, and awake with a chill but vibrant energy of locals and hotel guests. With its open layout and almost effortless Feng Shui, it felt that it naturally encouraged conversation.
On my second night at the hotel, I found myself drawn back to the space to bring my computer, write and relax from a pretty heavy week of fun and adventure in Colorado with my friend Rosemary.
That’s when I met Ryan, the head bartender and architect of the cocktail program. Ryan launched it when the hotel opened the previous year. As it turned out, this was his second-to-last night behind the bar. He was preparing to move on and lead the bar program at the new Limelight Boulder hotel.
We got into a great conversation about Limelight’s expansion, including an upcoming property in Mammoth Lakes, California. The timing was perfect as I’d picked up an IKON pass for the upcoming season. Plus, I was looking for a place to stay beyond my much loved Outbound Mammoth.
As the evening unfolded, I also struck up a conversation with another guest, Chris, who was sitting next to me. Chris was a helicopter pilot who was working on a new venture. He shared plans for launching a charter helicopter service connecting Eagle and Aspen, an innovative solution to the upcoming multi-year Aspen airport closure. Their business model? $1,000-a-seat flights that would cut the drive from Eagle to Aspen down to a quick 10-minute hop.
It was an insanely smart idea that I hope to prove truly successful.
Bar Moxy felt like the best mix of a laid-back, upscale college hangout and a stylish lounge where hotel guests could truly unwind. And in the midst of it all, I somehow found myself invited to a spontaneous whiskey tasting, hosted by Ryan and his protégé.
Ryan started me off with a taste of the ELIJAH CRAIG TOASTED BARREL (Small Batch Bourbon Finished in Toasted New Oak Barrels).
Next up was the Mitchell & Son’s GREEN SPOT SINGLE POT STILL IRISH WHISKEY. This was a rather lovely sipping whiskey, full of bright and smooth notes of green apple.
Next up was a pour of Ryan’s house made LIMONCELLO.
Now, I personally greatly appreciate and enjoy limoncello. But this – this was a level of limoncello I had not been previously elevated to This was stunning in taste, flavor and depth. Immediately, Chris and I began discussing the tasting notes and taking turns guessing the alcohol proof.
Ryan explained to us why what made his limoncello such a knock out star: the type of Mexican vanilla bean he used. Combined with the zest of 50 lemons, soaking in the lemons and an orange in Everclear, then adding sugar and water to taste – and he created a banger of a drink that I could sip every day of summer and feel perfectly content.
As one cannot survive at the bar with drinks along, I ordered THE STEAKHOUSE HOAGIE (Hoagie, Sirloin, Cheddar, Arugula, Garlic Aioli, Crispy Onion) with a side of CHIPS. It hit the spot perfectly.
Ryan ended the tasting with a pour of REDBREAST’S 12 YEAR IRISH WHISKEY. This – this sipping whiskey felt smooth and rich in my mouth. With a finish that felt like a quiet punctuation mark on a full and vibrant week.
Near the end of the night, I watched a tender moment unfold. Ryan embraced his protégé, a young bartender he clearly admired. Though only 21, she had earned his respect. As he was a multi decade seasoned bar hospitality professional, I could feel the admiration and respect he had for her. As they cleaned the bar, I overhead him sharing that his wife had just texted, asking if he’d be home soon. Their child was waiting for a bedtime tuck-in and only daddy would do. It was one of those small, real moments that humanized the whole experience.
Previously, I’d asked Ryan if he felt that he was leaving anything behind in his movement forward to his new position at Limelight Boulder. He shared some insight, some personal anticipation about leaving the known behind for something unknown. But really, I appreciate that he shared his vulnerability about wanting to seek his own happiness. That’s something that stuck with me.
As I made my way back to my room, I carried with me a sense of gratitude. I was incredibly happy for the good conversations I had with Ryan and Chris, genuine connections that I’d made, and the unexpected joys that can unfold when you simply say yes to the night.
Bar Moxy at The Moxy Boulder
1247 Pleasant StreetBoulder, Colorado 80302
