Just west of Denver, along the scenic Lariat Loop on State Highway 74, and nestled in the mountain town of Evergreen, the Little Bear Saloon has a long-standing reputation as one of Colorado's favorite music spots. Over the years, some of the best musicians have made stops at this historic bar.

Located in the heart of downtown Evergreen, in an old rickety building dating back to the mid-1800s, this place is loaded with character.  The building began as a church, then became a drugstore--then a church again. About 35 years ago it became a honky-tonk, and it has been ever since.

When you walk into the Little Bear, there are several striking features--most obviously, the look and smell of the wood decor that engulfs you.  Look a little closer, and you'll be hard pressed to find an area of wood that hasn't been carved in. Apparently graffiti is a tradition here, and the tables and pillars are loaded with messages left by the patrons.

Look at the stage area, and another interesting sight meets the eye (and sparks the imagination): women's bras.  Hundreds of them--dangling from the rafters, pinned to the back wall--bras are the stage's main decor. (The old churchgoers would be aghast.)  The story goes that years ago, the bands would offer free t-shirts as an incentive for the women to part with their, er, unmentionables. An offended church lady reported this to the local police, who advised the bands that this was an unlawful practice.  But even though the t-shirt incentive is gone for good, many women have continued to make the willing sacrifice over the years to keep the tradition alive.  This fun-with-just-a-hint-of-naughtiness is the sort of thing that makes the Little Bear so popular with locals and tourists alike.

But the main feature, of course, is the music. Local artists and national bands, representing many genres of music, fill the Little Bear with music six nights a week. The eccentricities of the Little Bear are what make it interesting; but what keeps the fans coming back is the music--accompanied, of course, by a menu of snackies, pizza, and burgers (including buffalo burgers), and a full bar.  (The Little Bear is a bar, after all.)

Tab Benoit will be at the Little Bear this Thursday, Dec. 3, starting at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $22, available from the Little Bear or Ticketmaster.  For a full calendar of events, see the Little Bear website. 

  For more music stuff, read my blog, The Oomph!