Let’s face it – drunk parents are awkward. No one likes going to dinner with the folks and slowly watch their smiles widen and voices get louder with every glass of wine they drink. It’s just not fun, even if they are paying the bill.
But with CU’s Family Weekend in full swing, this situation may be inevitable for some. The football game on Saturday gives parents an opportunity to relive their own glory days, while the many microbreweries in town finally give them an excuse to try this thing called “day drinking.”
Try hitting Pearl Street with your parents. (CU Independent File/Kristy Gustafson)
The solution? If you’re over 21, make it a family activity and drink with them. Thankfully, Boulder is the perfect place to do this, offering many establishments where their clientele consists of a broad array of students, career persons and grey-haired grandparents. Below is a list of businesses that will help you share part of your college experience with the parents without having to break out the beer bong or Jell-O shots.
The Sink
It turns out that The Sink has a long history behind it, even before it became President Obama’s Boulder hangout. Opening in 1923 as a European-style restaurant and juggled between owners ever since. The Sink is home to the famous Sinkburger and was featured as one of the best college football bars by Yahoo! Sports. With game day drink specials and plenty of beers on tap, this is the perfect place to take your parents to fuel up before Saturday’s football game. Grab a pint and admire their unique off-the-wall art gallery, featuring drawings that gasp!, might even be older then your parents are.
The Med
For a classier drinking experience, The Med offers its famous happy hour seven days a week, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Take a break from the box of Franzia in your fridge and order a glass of sangria while your parents enjoy some of the real stuff from their extensive wine menu. With temperatures in the mid-seventies this weekend, try to grab a table on the patio — it’s the perfect location to people-watch while nibbling on reduced-priced tapas.
Golden Brewery Tour
Although it is a drive from Boulder, the Miller-Coors Brewery Tour in Golden is well worth the extra commute. These free tours highlight the history of the Coors brand, covering all aspects of creating the Colorado staple, from malting to brewing to packaging. As a reward for working the brain outside of the classroom, free samples of Coors products are provided after the tour. Make sure to walk off that beer buzz before driving back to Boulder on Washington Avenue, conveniently located steps away from the brewery. Tours run 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Contact CU Independent Entertainment Editor Kelsey Anne Lindsey at Kelsey.a.lindsey@colorado.edu
