Minturn’s historic Saloon has a new menu

The new owners of the Minturn Saloon — only the fifth in its 120-plus-year history — are paying homage to the iconic Colorado locale’s history while also creating an atmosphere that will last another 120 years. Connie and Anthony Mazza took over the Saloon in 2021 — not only saving the Saloon for future generations to enjoy, but also giving it a revamp in quality food and drinks to go along with all of the storied history.

“We wanted to hold onto what people love about the Saloon so much, which is the feeling that they have when they’re here,” Connie said. “We want people to feel like they’re walking back into a place that they love so much.”

The history of the Minturn Saloon is both in the walls, and on them. While renovating, the Mazzas discovered the original brick at the entrance that they decided to expose and let shine through. The back bar was built in the 1830s and arrived via railroads, a centerpiece for the Saloon that opened in 1901 as a restaurant, pool hall and gambling joint.

And the walls at the Saloon — these are the walls we wish could talk, because they surely have some stories to tell. But adorning the walls are signed memorabilia — like a John Elway Broncos jersey, Patrick Roy Avalanche jersey, and a Masters flag. The popular Cheryl Tiegs Sports Illustrated cover still hangs in the same spot, as does the Jake Burton signed snowboarding picture. There’s also portraits of “The Duke” John Wayne — their old-school slogan was “If John Wayne didn’t drink it, we don’t make it,” after all. A 20-foot, Ethiopian rock python skin also hangs over the dining room area.

With so much history at the Minturn Saloon, one thing is new — the menu.

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The family-friendly, approachable menu is delicious and elevated. Simplifying it down to one page allows for quality ingredients and dishes every time. Fajitas, enchiladas and other Tex Mex staples remain. Also on the menu now, smashburgers and birria tacos, among other things.

And with a large outdoor patio overlooking the river in Minturn and down Main Street, the cocktail menu and drinks are a large draw at the Saloon. Tequila is their specialty, and this summer the Saloon Spritzer will make its debut. Private parties are also popular at the Minturn Saloon, with plenty of space and quality food and drinks to make for a memorable evening.

“We’re back open. We’re better than ever. The Saloon lives on,” Connie said. “We believe in this place and we believe in what we’re doing, so we want the community to realize that we’re a year-round destination and option for your family.”

Connie remembers coming to the Minturn Saloon when she was just 5 or 6 years old, on family vacations to Minturn every year. She had her 21st birthday party there, and her engagement party at the Saloon.

“Some of my fondest memories here are with my late mom,” she said. “She would bring us here for just a wild time. I just remember amusement, and lots of fun here — like probably everybody does.”

It is with this fondness and spirit that the Minturn Saloon lives on: Now, Connie is in the back office with her baby boy. “We want to stick around and have another 120 years of rowdy, mischievous history that people will talk about,” she said.