The Golden Bee is celebrating six decades in Colorado Springs. If those walls could speak…
The Atmosphere
Dozens of tankards behind glass. The pressed metal ceiling. A piano player cranking out ragtime and singalong favorites. Endless chatter and laughter. Yards of draught beer. This place is the real deal.
Since its beginnings, The Broadmoor has prided itself on authenticity and originality. Its iconic 19th century British pub follows that lead. Connections in London led Broadmoor officials to the Chelsea district of New York, where an entire English pub from the 1880s was being stored.
That pub—built from solid African mahogany—was shipped panel by panel to the Broadmoor, stripped of many coats of varnish and restored to its intricate, hand-carved splendor. The Golden Bee opened in 1961.
The Food
A pub wouldn’t be a pub without English classics like fish and chips and they do them perfectly here. But there are some gastropub surprises, too! Think creole shrimp and grits and chicken tikka masala.
Looking for something smaller? Plenty of bar mainstays here: burgers, salads, soups and sandwiches. (The cheddar ale soup is heavenly!) How about some apps with friends? Try malted potato wedges, a colossal pretzel twist with pepper jack fondue or beer-steamed mussels. Sticky toffee pudding for dessert, anyone?
And let’s not forget the main attraction: beverages.
Their draught beers come in pint, ½ yard and yard sizes. For something different, try a Black & Tan (Guinness/Bass) or a Half & Half (Guinness/Harp) or a Black Velveteen (Guinness/Colorado Common). Their selection of bottles is great, as is their wine list. Hard stuff more your speed? They have you covered.
The service is lightning fast and friendly.
The Bees
Millions of bees.
If you live in Colorado Springs, there’s a good chance you have an embroidered applique bee (or ten) to prove you’ve wandered into this pub at some point. With more than three million bees in circulation, you’re in good company.
In a typical year, the Broadmoor orders between 150,000 and 250,000 applique bees. There’s the traditional yellow-and-black bee, each of which has about 1,300 stitches.
Throughout the years, there also have been dozens of themed bees such as a glow-in-the dark variety for Halloween and another carrying golf clubs to commemorate the 2008 U.S. Open at the Broadmoor. The latest? A 60th anniversary golden bee paying homage to Spencer Penrose, who opened the hotel in 1918.
Don't have a golden bee? Here’s the secret: 1. Walk in. 2. Sit down. 3. A server will throw one at you. 4. It will stick to your shirt (or wherever it lands) 5. Wear it proudly.
Website: https://www.broadmoor.com/dining/golden-bee/
Facebook + Instagram: @TheBroadmoor