How Old Is Grand Junction, Colorado’s Oldest Bar?

Ever walk down Main Street in Grand Junction and wonder how long some of the businesses have been open? Have they been there since before you were born? Since your grandparents were kids? The answers may surprise you.

Keep scrolling to check out one Grand Junction business that has outlasted almost everyone else. At 609 Main Street is a Western Slope watering hole with a backstory much older than most people realize.

A Century of Stories at 609 Main Street

Read More: Historic Structures In Grand Junction: A Journey Through Time

Grand Junction’s Quincy Bar opened in 1916 at 609 Main Street. Today, it is still found at this same address, just down the street from the Mesa Theatre. The bar is easy to find and offers tons of parking behind the bar at 6^th and Colorado.

Some of the first regulars at Quincy Bar were the railroad, agricultural, and fruit-packing workers. The bar survived prohibition, economic ups and downs, and downtown redevelopment projects.

How the Name “Quincy Bar” Stuck

Read More: 5 Surprising Secrets About Colorado's Buckhorn Exchange

The bar at 609 Main Street has been open for the better part of 109 years. It is unclear who the very first owners were and what name the bar opened under; however, through the years, it has been known as The Avalon Café, The Beacon, and the Quincy Restaurant.

Known as uncomplicated, comfortable, and rooted in years of routine, after a few decades, the bar and the building became inseparable from the name Quincy. During the downtown revitalization of the 1990s and 2000s, the building became off-limits as there was no need to change it. Today, the Quincy Bar’s website is one of the best places to learn more about the business and to see some classic photos of the bar over the years. The site index includes a great shot of the bar with the full Quincy Marquee sign over Main Street.

Why This Bar Still Matters — and How to Visit

You cannot do a historic walk through downtown Grand Junction without stopping in for a nightcap at the Quincy Bar. They usually open at 9 PM. The bar offers light snacks, but they do not have a full kitchen.  They do have cheap drinks, karaoke, and live DJs. If you pass by the bar during the day, check out the Grand Junction mural wrapping around the rear entrance/patio.

Get our free mobile app