Iconic Colorado steakhouse The Fort is now home to two inviting new bar spaces designed to celebrate the authentic spirit of the American West – the Tequila Bar and the Whiskey Library. The two new bars each offer a relaxing Western experience, designed for guests who want a handcrafted cocktail paired with a delicious snack or a casual dinner.
The Whiskey Library was designed and built in-house by Joe Vostrejs, Shirley Hill, and Nick Sorenson, and the new Tequila Bar was designed by Tricia Calandra (Optimum Property Services) and built by Bob Bautsch (Design Development Associates) and Ameil Murphy (Murphy’s Hammar).
Tequila Bar
The Tequila Bar sits in the heart of the restaurant, just off the main dining room. Featuring a U-shaped bar, the Tequila Bar pours signature cocktails inspired by the Rocky Mountain fur trade era, including The Bastion, a smoky margarita named for the tower that once guarded Bent’s Old Fort, and the Coureur des Bois, which honors historic backcountry traders with flavors of huckleberry and rosemary.
Whiskey Library
The Whiskey Library, which replaces the Cantina just off of The Fort courtyard, is a cozy space featuring an exceptional collection of 100+ bottles from the Centennial State and around the world. Unwind at the bar or at a table by the beehive fireplace with a Whiskey Flight. Sip classic cocktails like a Barrel-Aged Old Fashioned or the Gold Rush, made with Colorado’s own Woody Creek Bourbon. The Whiskey Library opens 30 minutes before the restaurant each day, with no reservations required.
New Bar Menu
Both the Whiskey Library and the Tequila Bar are now serving an exclusive Bar Menu featuring dishes like The Fort Burger, a Buffalo Prime Rib French Dip, a Bacon-Wrapped House-Ground Meatloaf and Bent’s Big Salad.
The Fort is also debuting Shinin’ Hour, a special Happy Hour served in the Tequila Bar and the Whiskey Library daily from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. The perfect destination before or after a visit to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, the Fort Social Hour menu features a selection of appetizers at half price, including Bison Marrow Bones, Rocky Mountain Oysters, Smoked Trout Croquettes, and guacamole.
The Fort’s expanded bar program is being led by Director of Operations Sterling Robinson, a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and International Wine Guild and a Certified Beer Server with the Cicerone Society. Robinson was awarded the Best Spirit program in the nation from Sante Magazine and an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for his work at Jimmy’s in Aspen.
For more than 60 years, The Fort has been where Coloradans and travelers alike gather for the occasions that matter. In 1963, Sam Arnold built The Fort by hand as an adobe replica of Bent’s Old Fort, the 1830s trading post on the Santa Fe Trail. It was a restaurant he also called home and filled with his love of Colorado history and cooking. Holly Arnold Kinney, daughter of founder Sam Arnold, purchased The Fort in 1999 and led the restaurant with a deep commitment to its history until her retirement in January 2026. Under her stewardship, The Fort earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places and its land remains protected through a conservation easement held by the Colorado Historical Foundation.
