Memorial Day weekend, to many, represents the start of summer. In Boulder and eight other cities, it also means the start of a summer of imbibing all across town with a pocket-sized booklet, or “Passport,” that invites you to explore bars, restaurants, wineries, distilleries and breweries, old and new, downtown and around town.
This is the second year for the program in Boulder, which expanded from the Denver passport program that was started three years ago by Imbibe, a Denver boozy event company. When Imbibe considered expanding the program to Boulder in 2014, I was a natural fit to take the reins of the program as I own Local Table Tours and already had great relationships with many restaurants, breweries, bars, wineries and distilleries in town. So, here’s my disclaimer, folks: Yes, I’m biased.
The Boulder Passport is a pocketsized, field guide-like booklet filled with two-for-one drink specials valid all summer — from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend — at 42 of Boulder’s most beloved watering holes. Local establishments will stamp each booklet after a visit so participants can keep track of and eventually tally up the number of places visited (and drinks consumed, if so inclined) throughout the summer.
The variety of restaurants included in the passport was designed to give people the ability to not only hit their favorite spots, but to get out of their comfort zones and taste something they might not usually order, such as the “Bartender’s Choice Cocktail” at Foolish Craig’s. General Manager Jimmy Fay asks customers about which spirits and flavors they enjoy and creates something that’s unique for them, and then writes his creation down in the Passport so they can return for the same drink later.
Passport holders will be able to use their discounts at breweries like Asher Brewing Company, FATE Brewing Company, West Flanders Brewery and others; top restaurants like Blackbelly Market, Japango, OAK at Fourteenth, Sushi Hana and West End Tavern; and unique distilleries and wineries like Boulder Distillery, J&L Distilling Company, What We Love Winery and more.
Participating restaurateurs are excited about this year’s opportunities. Tracy Eliasson, owner of Settembre Cellars, said they “loved being part of a product that customers were so excited to own, being discovered by so many people who had no idea North Boulder has wineries, and hearing from customers [about] their favorite stops that came before us.”
Similarly, Fay from Foolish Craig’s says that The Passport is “not only a great way to connect with customers,” but gives him “room to flex his creative muscle, learn new things and have fun doing it.”
New to Boulder diners this year and featured in the Boulder Passport is Blackbelly Market. Chef and owner Hosea Rosenberg says that participating is “a great way to introduce new customers to our very new restaurant.” As Blackbelly is opening two patios this summer, he thinks it’s “a perfect way to bring new faces outside to enjoy some drinks.”
Passports will be available for presale online at ThePassportProgram.com, and will be available for sale downtown at Cured and at Geek Spirits in Gunbarrel after they become valid on May 22 for $20. There is also a Boulder Passport launch party being held at Shine on May 21 from 7:30-10 p.m. where Passports will be available for purchase, along with food and drink specials for Passport holders.
