"Snowboarding equipment is not an unusual sight in Colorado restaurants. Somewhat less common are Iron Maiden memorabilia and Christmas decorations. Finding all three together is entirely unheard of, except at one Colorado restaurant. What does each aspect of the ambience have in common? Absolutely nothing—except for the fact that they are all well-loved by Mesut Cetin, the owner of Aspen Lodge Bar & Grill. Inside the lodge (really an outlet of a suburban strip mall) you will find the walls, posts, and ceilings packed with personality. Fully decked out Christmas trees and Santa-hatted stuffed animals are everywhere, along with British flags and Iron Maiden posters. Aspen Lodge features the longest bar in Westminster, stocked with dozens of drink options. There is also a small stage, used for karaoke nights and the occasional Iron Maiden tribute band. When the stage is empty, heavy metal plays throughout the restaurant at a comfortable volume. The dining options are just as eclectic as the restaurant’s decor. There are a number of delicious Turkish options, including several gyro dishes. You can also try the “best Philly cheesesteak in a 666-mile radius,” a reference decidedly taken from Iron Maiden’s “Number of the Beast” and not from any Christmas carol. According to Mesut, the unifying theme of the restaurant is love. There is a good chance your meal will be delivered by Mesut himself, wearing an Iron Maiden T-shirt and a cheerful grin. It is clear that he loves his restaurant the way it is. Chances are, you will too. Know Before You Go The sign on the outside of the restaurant says it is “Open until two minutes to midnight, well, sometimes!” However, you might want to consider planning around its regular hours: 4 to 10 PM Monday to Thursday, 12 to 10 PM Friday and Saturday, and 9 AM to 10 PM on Sundays." - mikewalker
