J-Bar

J-Bar in Aspen is a must-visit for anyone who loves a mix of history and great food. This iconic bar, once a favorite hangout of Hunter S. Thompson, retains its old-school charm while serving up one of the best burgers in town. The atmosphere is lively yet nostalgic, making it the perfect spot to soak in Aspen’s rich history with a perfectly crafted drink and a delicious, juicy burger. A true gem!

This is a beautiful old style little bar with amazing service and even better food and drinks. We stopped in on a hot afternoon in the summer and had a fantastic waiter who made perfect recommendations for some afternoon cocktails and served us an incredible blue corn bread skillet with popcorned butter. It's pricey, but definitely worth the indulgence. We will probably return for desserts later on!

We'll - it's true! What a great bar and food - fun and brilliant bartenders too! We were looking for "Aspen's Best Hamburger" - I'm sure there are other good ones, but ones been rated #1, and we agree! Beautifully served and delicious - get the fries too! We also had a tasty Caesar Salad snd Lsmb Meatballs w sauce, dates, and figs - yum! Our bartender, Ben was a total pro - made us a few "off the menu" creating drinks - raspberry rum and coffee? - sounds crazy - but was great and he's got sone super-powers for creative drinks. Great good - drinks - people - a d as always, elegant Cowboys and Cowgirls Jerome historic fun!

Spent a 3day weekend in Aspen, mostly dining out every evening. Every review at places said pricey for what you get served. Including this place. Buffalo Burgers are usually expensive anyway... I can say as a fact that the size of the burger was large and thick, perfectly cooked! Juicy Tasted Wonderfully delicious!! I forget what my friend ordered but she did say it was the best thing she ate so far on the trip. We did go on a Sunday kinda late. When we walked past to the hiking trails it was packed all the times.

Great service. Fellow behind the bar was great, but it was $38 for a burger and the burger wasn’t really that flavorful and had a lot of gristle in it. I really would not have minded the price if it had been tasty, but it was very mediocre and I was surprised about the quality of the beef. The side Caesar salad was also bland, and the extra dressing did not help. Everything looked nice but was simply not very Flavorful. Would recommend for the drinks and service, not the food.

We've always loved coming to the J Bar, but our most recent lunch was really disappointing. There were only a few tables seated that were finished with their meals, yet it took almost two hours to get through lunch. We had our toddler with us, and it took nearly twenty minutes just to get a high chair. We were seated in the middle of the dining area, but kept getting forgotten about, and with only one server working, she disappeared for a long time. The service was honestly unwelcoming. The food was good as usual, but the service was awful this time. Also worth noting -- the bathrooms don't have changing tables, which makes things hard for families. Sadly, we probably won't return.

Sad food story experience. Obliterated Brussels, full char...never go full char! The burger has gone downhill. Staff pompous. 1880's vibe lost+ chicke. Soup still on menus and still past perfect. As a former I was appalled. Not sure could of been a bad day. After all they are well staffed..

**Updated 8/2023** A visit to Aspen isn’t complete without a stop in for at least a drink at the J-Bar! I’ve been in for lunch before but this time stopped in for a drink and dessert and we weren’t disappointed! We were warmly greeted immediately and invited to sit wherever we wanted! Waiter recommended the Mini-Donuts served with Crémé Anglaise, and the Blueberry Pie. Both were so amazing, but I think the table favorite was the blueberry pie! The bar is truly a relaxed and casual environment for families, couples and friends alike. It is expensive and just be aware there is a 22% fee which I wasn’t made aware of until the end. In all fairness it could have been printed on the menu and I didn’t see it? *** Cozy, eclectic, rustic and elegant atmosphere. Interesting selection of signature drinks from the full bar, including wines and local beers. The menu is equally intriguing including appetizers, salads, soups, entrees and of course their famous burger! We chose the J Burger topped with Swiss cheese and mushrooms served with French fries of course! We also enjoyed the Confit Lollipop Chicken Drumsticks! Plenty of food for four people although we were only two - so of course we had to take home leftovers....too bad!!! :-). Next time we will have to bring more of an appetite so we can try more from the menu!!

J-Bar is what happens when storied history meets an Auburge Hotel. Somehow this place is a cross between Hunter S Thompson (who hung out here in the 70s, when he lived out at Woody Creek) and the Montage, and it works. The refurbished bar here looks right out of a movie set, moody, old fashioned, richly appointed and atmospheric. Pricey bar food and beverage options here: good sticky ribs, excellent cocktails and some say the best burger in Aspen. All of the food here is delicious but more expensive than it probably should be. The period details in the J-bar and Hotel Jerome are not to be missed. You may rub shoulders with a billionaire tech CEO (we saw a recognizable one), alongside the other denizens of Aspen, including a customer who brought two painfully skinny dogs, possibly whippets (with their ribs literally sticking out) into the bar totally oblivious to the stares and withering looks of other patrons. Another day in Aspen! The bar and hotel must have radically changed since the days of Hunter S Thompson, but it's now a tony & fascinating stop on a night out in Aspen.

Extremely attentive and friendly servers, really cozy atmosphere by the bar area in the restaurant, and great food!

Excellent cocktails and service! Beautiful bar and you can ask to see the drawer that has original signatures of previous bartenders dating back to 100(?) years ago. It became tradition to do so when they left. All original wood. Really good espresso martinis. Complimentary bar nuts. Highly recommend

Always a party at the J Bar! Fantastic bartenders...we especially love Tide! Awesome food and scene!

I tried calling for almost 20 minutes to arrange pickup. I did not want room service thinking I would be saving money considering I literally only wanted chicken noodle soup. I ended up walking down to order and pick it up. I was not feeling up to sitting to eat there. Not sure why they didn't pick up since it was pretty empty. $30 later!!! Wasn't even very good. Thankfully I saw the 22% gratuity automatically tacked on to the bill and didn't double up!

Food is solid. The Unbelievable ripoff is a built in 22% tip for a party of two along with an up charge of $4.00 per mule for an additional $16.00 for well vodka Aspen needs to get it together! We are not poor nor stupid!! Speak up people and vote with your feet!

I love this hotel. It was the only place open on Thanksgiving as ski season was about to begin and we decided to go and have lunch and a drink there in Aspen. It's really historic and has been well-maintained. The bar is I believe nearly 100 years old but they have kept everything up. The food is really delicious, but a little pricey since its a high-end hotel but the quality is definitely there. The Wagyu Burger was really good. You can split if you're trying to save a little bit. I was really hungry from the drive over from Denver so it hit the spot. My friends who are married shared a burger and it was still plenty of food. We also enjoyed an appetizer that was really tasty. The cocktails were great and loved the two I tried during my visit. Recommend this spot.

A visit to Aspen isn't complete without a stop in for at least a drink at the J-Bar! I've been in for lunch before but this time stopped in for a drink and dessert and we weren't disappointed! We were warmly greeted immediately and invited to sit wherever we wanted! Waiter recommended the Mini-Donuts served with Crémé Anglaise, and the Blueberry Pie. Both were so amazing, but I think the table favorite was the blueberry pie! The bar is truly a relaxed and casual environment for families, couples and friends alike.

Great bar, great service, great food, great scene. Always worth a stop when in town. One of the best atmospheres and vibes anywhere in Aspen. Seen some weird stuff or been exposed to uncomfortable situations around town? Maybe not feeling certain aspects of Aspen? The J-Bar is tops among the "safe havens" of grounded vibes you can find in town. Reliably cool and consistent. Always feels like home.

Enjoyed dinner at the J-Bar before heading out to listen to live music. Service was fast and the food came out fresh! My salmon had a nice crispy bite and veggies were delicious. Our server was great with recommendations! Will be returning soon on my next trip to Aspen.

Stopped in around lunchtime to check out this historic bar. Very friendly and engaging staff. We ordered a couple of very good Bloody Mary's and chatted with our bartender. Then we got the check, and I know this is Aspen, but the prices are a little crazy. Our two Bloody Mary's came to $56, including the 22% automatic gratuity. Originally considered having lunch here, but one chicken caesar salad would've been $50 including tip.

I'm sorry, but if you are going to include a 22 percent tip on a small party who came into the bar for only drinks then you need to clearly inform your patrons of this practice. Went to the bar to enjoy a drink with friends before heading off to dinner. At no time were we told that a tip was included. The server handed us the bill mumbling that a service charge was included (not a tip). I figured it was a nominal service fee for the staff (as they seem to all include since Covid). Luckily I glanced at the bill before paying or I would have double paid the tip. Including a 22 percent tip on 3 well drinks is ridiculous. We should have been given the opportunity to decide what to leave. Will not return-

Hits the spot after a hike to Crater Lake. Service was excellent and drinks were fantastic!

I'm going to cut right to the chase here: J-Bar is ALL. ABOUT. THAT ATMOSPHERE. A throwback to Aspen's mountain-town golden age, it still holds the glamour of the wild west and the daring souls who came to seek fortune and adventure in the Colorado wilderness. J-Bar is a perfect balance of turn-of-the-century splendor and silver-rush mining-town grit. Five stars for atmosphere. As for the food and drink...it's pretty good. The presentation is top-notch, the prices are sky-high, and the dishes themselves are...pretty good. That's my -1 star. And I do want to be clear about this - it's not bad by any means! Absolutely better than average. Just nothing that really makes the dishes or drinks stand out as "Wow! That is REALLY good!" And for these prices, you do expect a little more. Overall, I would absolutely recommend this place. It feels like taking a step back in time - it's worth going just to marvel at the décor and sip your drink in the leather chairs and reminisce about a grand era lost to history. A great place to treat yourself :)

Iconic western bar with Victorian vibe. Fun place to watch some football on a cold night.

We arrived around 4pm and it was very busy and loud. Our server was very friendly and checked on us often. In total we had 4 drinks, the burger, and the oysters. Drinks were fantastic. Oysters were great. The burger was pretty underwhelming, especially since so many people hyped it up beforehand. When I initially ordered the burger I asked for the sauce on the side. Our server asked if I wanted to add bacon or grilled onions and I declined. Once it arrived, the sauce was not on the side and there were onions melted into the cheese so I had to scrape it all off. I'm used to deconstructing my burgers so I didn't really care enough to mention it to the server. The check arrived and I noticed we were charged $5 for the onions that I never asked for and didn't eat. The server was super nice, apologized and quickly removed the charge from the bill. Overall I would come here again, but maybe earlier in the day when it's not so busy. I'm bummed the burger that so many people told me to get didn't live up to the hype, but it happens!

Lovely patio and service for a summer lunch. But the food was NOT GOOD. The menu had a number of odd dishes. And the tuna tostada I ordered was nothing more than 5 tortilla chips with a slab of fish and sesame on top. For $27!. Not an entree at all! Expected so much more from this upscale property.

Absolutely recommend this place. The food is amazing and the service is incredible. It was packed when we went, group of us after the Palm Festival in Aspen. Drinks and food are top of the line. Loved the vibe there too. A must go place to add to your list.

Great drinks. Good service. A nice bar. Mandatory tip for 2 people was tacky. Like - you are in Aspen- tip but mandatory is weird.

Delicious drinks and loved the atmosphere. Laid back and yummy! The service was on the spot and very knowledgeable!

I just had a burger at J-Bar. I'd had drinks there before and really enjoyed the place. Everyone was friendly so I didn't mind the surprise automatic 22 % gratuity. But Today: I'm curious what that gratuity is for when your medium rare burger comes out Medium well, when after having eaten 2/3 of it, the bearded and deeply indifferent bar tender ask how the burger is and you tell him it's over cooked and all he can say is "it's overcooked?" And nothing else. ?? The fries were so salty I had to scrape the excess off. That bartender was cold from the moment I walked in. Maybe it's because Im not a local. Maybe Im not white enough, but he clearly didn't want me there.

If you're in ASPEN, this is must see, drink and eat venue! Staying the night is just gravy.

We'll - it's true! What a great bar and food - fun and brilliant bartenders too! We were looking for "Aspen's Best Hamburger" - I'm sure there are other good ones, but ones been rated #1, and we agree! Beautifully served and delicious - get the fries too! We also had a tasty Caesar Salad snd Lsmb Meatballs w sauce, dates, and figs - yum! Our bartender, Ben was a total pro - made us a few "off the menu" creating drinks - raspberry rum and coffee? - sounds crazy - but was great and he's got sone super-powers for creative drinks. Great good - drinks - people - a d as always, elegant Cowboys and Cowgirls Jerome historic fun!

Delicious sliced rib eye sandwich. Outdoor seating was great. We would go back next time we're in Aspen.

Scam!! They add on extra fees, extra tips & tax on top of tips!!! Under new management! Beware!! They billed us almost $110 charge for our $73 dollar order!! The two of us had 1 tiny well margarita each at $22 + we split 1 $29 tiny burger. Thats $73. Our bartender told me since I said the word "margarita" it was an extra $8, but it was well I said, that's the way it is he said! The bill clearly read $22 for a margarita. Then he added on another $8 + his own 22% gratuity without saying he did! (Hoping to scam me on an additional tip, I feel.) Then on top of everything he added another 10% tax on top of the bottom line Including his tip, so there we have it, almost $110!! Never stepping foot in there again!

For two cocktails it was $88, and the waiter added 22% service charge on his own and never once circled back around to re fill our water. Very disappointed

To be honest I wasn't that impressed with the "famous "burger that they have. It was juicy but it was missing some thing luckily they were able to bring out mustard and different toppings for the burger. The old fashion was basic nothing special. The blue cheese stuffed dates were probably the best thing on the menu. I don't know if it was because it's obvious I'm not from there but our waiter Jessica seem to be in a hurry I just wasn't as friendly as you would think you would be to your customers.

This place gets 5 stars because they accommodate your needs, they are polite, they have fresh food. I would come back again & again!! Thr food & chef are GREAT!. The service is OUTSTANDING! This place has it right, it's organized, super friendly & they welcome you in unlike some Aspen places which make you feel they are doing you a favor by seating you! The outside patio is splendid as are the extras not on the menu.... just ask? You will be surprised what the chef says YES too!!

Great location and historic ambience. Rooms are very big and modern bathrooms. I think restaurant would get more guests if menu was less complicated

I could only give 4 stars because we didn't eat dinner here. The ambiance was great! I wish there was more history on their website! It's so neat to know this was the original bar! The waiter was fantastic and attentive! Bloody Mary was great! We had the spinach and artichoke appetizer and it was delicious! Would love to come try for dinner sometime but our stay in Aspen is short. I suggest you go try the JBar!

Came in alone for one beverage, and cashed out to be surprised with an auto gratuity. It felt very disrespectful to think the bartender didn't know I knew how to tip.

We sat at the bar, ordered 2 drinks and they added 22% gratuity to our bill. I found that cheesy. The cocktail options were also not that diverse or unique. I wouldn't go out of my way to drink here again

DeLIGHTFUL! ;) J-bar is worth visiting even if only for the ambiance. It's in the hotel Jerome and we stopped in for wine and dessert because mama loves sugar. Sat at the bar and Ryan was super friendly and told us some interesting bits about the history of the place. Service was all around superb but I would not come here if you're trying to save money....it is very expensive just an FYI. Ps the dessert was delicious of course and a unique take on cheesecake.

We were really wanting to try the bar at the back of Hotel Jerome, but it was full. We found some empty spots at J bar. It has an old western style, ruined by large TVs everywhere. Petition to remove all TVs from restaurants and bars (except for true sports bars, I guess). Service was friendly, but slow. We tried the green origin and the j bird. The green origin was nice and refreshing, like an alcoholic sparkling lemonade. The molasses bitters really show up on the j bird, and it wouldn't be a repeat for me.

Always a great spot. Lots of ambiance based on the history here. Food is good, service is great, drinks are awesome

Overpriced (even for Aspen) and the clientele is obnoxious as hell (and I live in Telluride, so, uh, that's saying something). Three stars because the people watching is off the hook good if you're in the mood to soak in the craziness.

J-Bar was our first stop in Aspen. The atmosphere great...a step back into time. The bartender was engaging and took great care of us. One star off for lack of vegan options. I was starving after flying all day from DC and my only options were a veggie salad or a beyond burger. I ordered the burger as I knew the veggie salad wouldn't be enough. I prefer a true veggie burger...not fake meat like beyond. I am sure I am not the other guest wanting more plant based options.

We split the devious Caesar salad. We each had the Colorado trout that was tasty with unique flavors. Very much enjoyed. Friend ordered a delectable bananas foster. He also ordered a drink. 22% gratuity auto added to the bill. Bill came to $104 each

Tide was an awesome server, phenomenal pickles. Great ambiance and decor. Handled all of our requests with grace.

Eat lunch and stop to smell the flowers at The Garden at J Bar, located at 330 E Main St, a restaurant of Hotel Jerome. When seated on the open-aired patio, you can enjoy one of the best, unobstructed views of Aspen Mountain. This swanky outdoor restaurant is beautiful. Gorgeous, large flowers fill and spill over onto the walkways in the Summertime. Whoever is the gardener for Hotel Jerome is incredibly talented! Every flower seems to be happy and healthy, no matter the size or type. We stumbled upon The Garden after shopping on main street. Highly, highly recommend the Farmer's Garden Salad with salmon, which was one of the best salads I have ever had. It is light and fresh with a ginger-lime vinaigrette that quite literally is to die for. The cheeseburger also did not disappoint. The Garden is great for people watching. Put your sunglasses on, sit under a cool umbrella and this place will make you feel like royalty. Check out my full review and tips on traveling in Aspen, Colorado by visiting my blog, https://www.gingiegypsy.com/post/aspen-summer-fun

We have always loved the J Bar and the service. Sadly this time will be our last. We went in for dinner and drinks and left thinking it was a bit pricey and not as good as in the past. We went back 2 nights later and had a drink before going home. The waiter (great guy Frank) was kind enough to tell us that the 22% gratuity was already included. We were not told that on our previous dinner a night before which explains why a 25% tip on top of a 22% precharged gratuity made our dinner so expensive. Yes, we should have reviewed the itemized so silly us...but never again... lying by omission is still lying.

i can't imagine a trip to aspen without a drink at the jbar. it just sets the scene. the decor. the people watching. i would move in if they let me.

We had a nice chill dinner here. The food was very good, we didn't have a reservation so we just sat at the bar. It was good.

Ordered the burger and spinach dip. Both really good. The burger was very tasty. We also ordered the donuts which were soooo good. Definitely a must try. Had a great espresso martini as well. 4 stars because the atmosphere could be a little more lively.. small menu and pretty pricey but overall recommend to stop by!

We stopped at the J-Bar for a drink and ordered the charcuterie board. It was delicious and filled up three of us! Great service and a really cozy and pleasant atmosphere.

Wonderful patio area to eat lunch on glorious days in Aspen!!! The chicken drum sticks/blue cheese appetizer was very good. The hummus and edamame were what you'd expect and nothing special. The ahi tuna tacos (with pesto/wasabi) were very good. And the j-bar burger was excellent (fries tasted like McDonalds--in a good way). Mixed drinks were mediocre. Stick with beer or wine. Expensive but it's Aspen. The weather made up for it. So if it's beautiful outside and you can get a seat and you don't mind over paying for the food, go here and take your time and enjoy a burger and beer. Heard they charge $6 to split the burger so don't tell them you're doing that.

I mean it's a bar in a very fancy hotel in Aspen. I think my expectations were set a little higher from all the fuss about the Hotel Jerome, but it's really just a bar. The place was SLAMMED, luckily we managed to find a table in the bar to grab a drink. The drinks were okay, super overpriced but it is the J-Bar so that seems about right. I enjoyed walking through the hotel lobby, it's really gorgeous!

J Bar saved us after a late arrival into the Aspen Airport. They serve food until 10:30pm which was clutch after learning the St Regis stops serving at 10 and we landed at 9:55pm. Loved the chicken noodle soup, meatballs and French fries. The perfect gourmet bar food stop!

Great Bar and Service. Our wait person was very patient, knowledgeable and most accommodating. Prices were Aspenish. Ava our server on the patio is cute, great personality and very knowledgeable.