Cocktails & Tastes Tour in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has a cocktail scene that is easy to miss if you stick to the main tourist stops. This 2.5-hour walking tour puts four drinks, several small bites, and the city’s Prohibition stories into one easy evening route through downtown.

I like the mix of local bars and historical stops, especially the back-alley entrance at District Elleven and the subterranean Bloom Ultra Lounge. I also like the small group, capped at 12 people, which gives guides such as Jason, Beth, Adam, and Heather room to keep the conversation personal.

The main thing to know is that this is a cocktail tour with light food, not dinner. You get four signature or seasonal drinks and snacks at most stops, but some pairings may be as simple as beer nuts, so plan a meal before or after if you need more than nibbles.

Key points to know before booking

• Four cocktails at four different locations: The drinks are the main event, with seasonal and signature pours at selected downtown bars and restaurants.
• A walk through central Colorado Springs: The route links cocktail stops with Acacia Park, AdAmAn Alley, the Mining Exchange, and views toward Pikes Peak.
• Small bites, not a full meal: Appetizers are served at most locations, but the portions and style can vary.
• A small group of no more than 12: This suits anyone who prefers conversation and direct access to the guide.
• A 4 p.m. start for ages 21 and older: The timing works well as a happy hour activity, followed by dinner on your own.
• A strong guide makes the evening: Jason, Beth, Adam, and Heather have all led departures, with storytelling and friendly conversation forming a large part of the experience.

Four drinks and a taste of downtown Colorado Springs

The appeal here is simple. You walk a short downtown route, hear stories about Colorado Springs during Prohibition and the Wild West, and sample four cocktails without having to plan your own bar crawl.

At $94 per person, the price is not cheap for a two-and-a-half-hour outing. Still, it includes four drinks, food pairings at most stops, a local guide, water, and the structure of a small group. If you ordered four well-made cocktails separately, added several snacks, and paid for a guide, the total could easily approach this amount.

The value depends on what you want. If you are mainly looking for dinner, this will feel light for the price. If you want an introduction to downtown bars, local stories, and drinks selected for you, the cost is easier to justify.

The tour starts at 4 p.m. at the Mining Exchange on South Nevada Avenue. You should arrive ready to walk and ready for alcohol. Water is provided at every location, which is useful during an afternoon of cocktails.

The Mining Exchange begins the story

The Mining Exchange is a former hotel built in 1903 and recently renovated. It gives the tour a clear starting point because the building provides a physical link to Colorado Springs’ earlier years before the group heads into the bar portion of the afternoon.

You spend about 15 minutes here. Do not expect a long architectural visit. Instead, this is the opening chapter for the guide’s historical storytelling, with downtown Colorado Springs as the setting.

I like this beginning because it prevents the tour from becoming a string of unrelated drinks. You get some context first, then see how the city’s past connects to the places you visit later.

AdAmAn Alley adds a quick public-art stop

AdAmAn Alley is a short stop, about 10 minutes, with artwork commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the AdAmAn Club. It is the kind of place you might walk past without knowing why it matters.

This stop is brief, but it breaks up the drinking itinerary. You are outside, moving through downtown, and getting a little local culture between venues. The alley also helps you understand that the tour is not simply a taxi ride between bars.

The walking portions are described as easy, but you should still wear comfortable shoes. The route includes several outdoor stops, and the experience requires good weather.

Four by Brother Luck brings food and personality

Four by Brother Luck is the flagship restaurant of Chef Brother Luck, a two-time Bravo Top Chef contestant. The restaurant is known for an innovative southwestern menu, and it gives the tour a more polished food stop than a typical bar crawl.

You spend around 25 minutes here. The exact cocktail and pairing can change, but this is one of the places where the food side of the tour gets more attention.

If you enjoy trying a chef’s creative approach without committing to a full dinner, this stop is useful. You get a sample of the restaurant’s style while keeping the evening moving. The tradeoff is that a short tour visit cannot offer the full menu or the pace of a proper meal.

Acacia Park keeps the route grounded

Acacia Park is one of Colorado Springs’ early public parks and remains a center for festivals, concerts, a splash pad, and an ice skating rink. The tour allows about five minutes here, so this is more of a passing orientation point than a major attraction.

That short pause matters because it gives you a sense of the city’s public core. The route is not confined to interiors. You see the places where downtown life happens, then continue to the next drink.

District Elleven is the moody bar stop

District Elleven serves cocktails in a dark, old-world setting with a back-alley entrance. The atmosphere is a major part of the experience. This is the sort of bar where the entrance and room design help make the drink feel like an occasion.

You spend about 25 minutes here. It is one of the tour’s most distinctive settings and one of the places that helps separate this experience from a standard happy hour.

The tour also promises a visit to one of Colorado Springs’ sought-after speakeasies. The speakeasy theme is a natural match for the Prohibition stories, though you should not expect every stop to have the same theatrical feel.

Colorado Custom Catering keeps things casual

Colorado Custom Catering is described as a diner focused on creative comfort food, including gourmet waffles and street tacos. The name may sound more formal than the setting, but this stop shifts the mood toward familiar food with a playful twist.

You spend roughly 20 minutes here. It is another place where a small savory or sweet pairing may accompany the drink.

This stop also illustrates why you should manage your expectations about food. The tour includes bites, but the food style changes from one venue to the next. One stop may offer a creative appetizer, while another may provide something simpler. If you need a full meal or have strict dietary needs, plan accordingly.

Pikes Peak provides the big Colorado view

The view of Pikes Peak from downtown Colorado Springs is one of the route’s best visual pauses. You spend only about five minutes here, but the mountain gives the guide an opportunity to talk about America’s Mountain and its place in the identity of the city.

You are not going up Pikes Peak on this tour. This is a downtown vantage point and a quick outdoor stop. Still, it adds a sense of place that a bar-only route would miss.

I especially like this part for first-time visitors. The drinks may be the reason you book, but the mountain view helps connect the afternoon to the wider Colorado Springs area.

Bloom Ultra Lounge finishes underground

The final stop is Bloom Ultra Lounge, at 114 North Tejon Street, with a back-in-the-ground feel and an interior described as floral and chic. It is a fun, flirty finish to the route and gives you a different mood from the old-world atmosphere at District Elleven.

You spend about 20 minutes here and receive the final cocktail of the four. The tour ends at Bloom, although the end location can change, so check the current details before making dinner or transportation plans.

Ending in a lounge works well. You can continue your evening nearby after the tour, but you are not locked into a group dinner or a late-night schedule.

What the guides add to the evening

The guide can make or break a small-group food tour, and this experience gives that person plenty to do. The best moments come from the local stories, explanations of the Prohibition era, and practical introductions to places you may want to revisit.

Jason is described as both fun and informative, with a polite, easy manner. Beth has led the route with a warm hosting style, while Adam has been praised for taking care of the group and sharing useful information. Heather has been noted for her knowledge of the area and her ability to keep conversation relaxed.

You should treat those names as examples of guides who lead the experience, not a guarantee of who will be working on your date. The guide assignment can change.

The strongest feedback centers on the guide’s personality, not only the alcohol. That matters because you spend more than two hours walking and talking with the same small group. A guide who can explain local history without turning the tour into a lecture adds real value.

Food portions and dietary limits

The tour includes light savory or sweet pairings at most locations. The wording matters. You get snacks, not a guaranteed four-course progression.

Some pairings may be creative and substantial enough to make the afternoon feel well fed. Other stops may have limited food options, with one location potentially offering something as simple as beer nuts. I would eat a light meal before the tour if you are prone to getting hungry, especially since the first drink arrives during a moving itinerary rather than at a long sit-down meal.

The experience is not recommended for people who are dairy-free or gluten-free. The provided information does not promise substitutions, so contact the operator before booking if either restriction is important to you.

Group size, timing, and practical details

The tour accepts a maximum of 12 people. That is small enough for the guide to answer questions and keep the group together at each bar. It also means the experience may feel more social than private, particularly if you attend alone or as a couple.

The start time is 4 p.m., and the tour lasts about two hours and 30 minutes. That makes it a good first activity for an evening downtown. You can continue to dinner afterward, but do not count on the included bites replacing dinner.

The start is at the Mining Exchange, 8 South Nevada Avenue. The finish is listed as Bloom Ultra Lounge, 114 North Tejon Street, although the final location may change. Both points are in central Colorado Springs, and the area is near public transportation.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation arrives when you book. The experience is for people ages 21 and older. Most people can take part, but the route includes walking and outdoor stops.

The tour needs good weather and a minimum number of people to operate. If bad weather cancels it, or the minimum is not met, you can choose another date or experience or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

A 15 to 20 percent tip for the tour leader is not included. Add that to your budget when comparing the total cost.

Who should book this cocktail tour

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy trying drinks in places with a strong sense of setting, want a short introduction to Colorado Springs nightlife, and prefer a guide to handle the planning. It is also a good fit for couples, small friend groups, and first-time visitors who want history mixed with an easy evening out.

You should skip it if you are seeking a full dinner, a long tasting at each bar, or a highly formal cocktail class. The tour includes demonstrations and conversation, but its main format is walking, sampling, and moving on.

The biggest reason to book is the combination of four different venues and a guide who can connect them to Colorado Springs history. The biggest reason to hesitate is the food. If you see the snacks as bonus pairings rather than dinner, the $94 price makes more sense.

FAQ

How long is the Cocktails & Tastes Tour in Colorado Springs?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 4 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is the Mining Exchange at 8 South Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs.

Where does the tour end?

The listed ending point is Bloom Ultra Lounge at 114 North Tejon Street. The ending location is subject to change.

How many cocktails are included?

Four signature or seasonal cocktails are included, served at four different locations.

Is food included?

Light savory or sweet appetizer pairings are included at most locations. The food is not intended to replace dinner.

Is the tour suitable for people with dairy or gluten restrictions?

The tour is not recommended for people who are dairy-free or gluten-free.

What is the maximum group size?

The group is limited to a maximum of 12 people.

Do I need to be 21 or older?

Yes. The experience is reserved for people ages 21 and older.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.