The following local guide of recommendations was compiled by the CU High-Energy Theory grad students.
Bars:
The World Famous Dark Horse (2922 Baseline Rd) - A Boulder landmark. Activities (karaoke, trivia, tricycle races, bingo, live music etc...) many evenings. Full bar and good burgers. A favorite of TASI attendees in years past. Conveniently close to TASI housing. “Starving student” deal for a burger and a beer (untested for non-CU IDs).
Backcountry Pizza and Tap House (2319 Arapahoe Ave.) - Maybe the most extensive list of beers on tap in Boulder. Great pizza too. Easy walk from Duane.
Rayback Collective (2775 Valmont Rd) - Indoor/outdoor beer garden/food truck park in north central Boulder. Spacious, lots of lawn games to play.
Sanitas Brewing Company (3550 Frontier Ave) - Local brewery with big outdoor area. Taco stand courtesy of McDermott Taco Supply.
Mountain Sun (1535 Pearl St) / Southern Sun (627 South Broadway) - Local microchain of Boulder brew-pubs. Homestyle food. Free tasters.
The Sink (1165 13th St) - Some of the best burgers in Boulder. Also a good bar. Interior is covered in murals, cool atmosphere.
West Flanders (11225 Pearl St.) - local Boulder brew-pub. Belgian-inspired Colorado brews.
West End Tavern (926 Pearl St) - Extensive whiskey and bourbon menu. Also good for mixed drinks. Best BBQ you can walk to.
Food:
Rincon Argentino (2525 Arapahoe Ave) - Argentinian-style empanadas and mate. Convenient walk from Duane.
Half-fast Subs (1215 13th St.) - Hot and cold sandwiches and good drink specials.
Thai Avenue (1310 College Ave) - Delicious Thai options and large servings; a favorite among graduate students.
Sherpa's (825 Walnut St.) - Authentic Nepalese, Indian, and Tibetan food. Great lunch specials. Good chai.
Lucille's Creole Cafe (2124 14th Street) - Great New Orleans/creole breakfast and brunch. Great beignets. Try to eat here at least once.
The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House (1770 13th St) - A beautifully decorated tea house with an interesting history. A great place to dine outdoors on a nice day, with hundreds of tea types and really good food.
Under the Sun (627 South Broadway) - Wood-fired pizza place located beneath The Southern Sun. Excellent brunch.
Moe’s BBQ (675 30th) - Best BBQ in Boulder, in contradiction to the West End Tavern description. Good happy hour specials e.g. $12 for 6 wings + 2 beers. Conveniently close to TASI housing.
Curry and Kebob (3050 28th St) - Good Indian food, very good korma curry (varies a bit day-to-day, unfortunately) and samosas
Kalita Grill Greek Cafe (2426 Arapahoe Ave) - Good Greek food
Le French Cafe (2525 Arapahoe Ave C-1) - Amazing croissants and crepes (a bit pricey, but well worth it); owned by a kind husband-wife team native to France
Twisted Pine (3201 Walnut St., Ste A) - Great pizza and beers (all craft and pretty unique)
Dragonfly Noodle (2014 10th St) - Used to go by "Chimera", really good Ramen
Audrey Jane's Pizza Garage (2675 13th St) - Pretty good pizza, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Coffee (on-campus):
Pekoe Siphouse (Atlas Building) - Traditional venue of daily theory coffee. Coincidentally, nearest coffee shop to Gamow Tower. Also has fancy boba tea, etc.
The Laughing Goat (Norlin Library) - Slightly further away than Pekoe, but some say their coffee is better. Good pastries from local bakeries.
Coffee (off-campus):
Ozo Coffee Co. (1015 Pearl St.) - Popular shop on Pearl, and although often crowded, always good coffee.
The Laughing Goat (1709 Pearl St.) - Large coffee shop on Pearl with good drinks and live (but quiet) music on weekend nights.
Trident Booksellers and Cafe (940 Pearl St.) - Quiet, studious atmosphere, attached to a cozy book store.
Brewing Market Coffee (2610 Baseline Rd.) - Good all-around shop with a mountain view just south of campus.
January Coffee (1886 30th St., Suite B) - Very new, pretty standard Boulder coffee
Vic's Again (3305 30th St.) - Pretty good if you aren't a huge fan of fairly sweet coffee