Blue Iguana Tavern: A college-friendly biker bar down the road

A good biker bar is like a good motorcycle: Well-built and durable, while representing the open-aired freedom to wander. Both timeless traditions and flowing inertia are well represented at the Blue Iguana Tavern.

The layout is "conventional roadhouse," with an extensive horseshoe bar along the front bay windows, a few bar tables behind, pool room to the side and sunken stage area to the back. The view is one of the best in town.

While a classic biker bar (it shares the building with a bike shop called Hawg's), the Blue Iguana is also progressive. The best thing about the place for us is that it caters to students, seeking to diminish its image as a tattooed-and-leather-clad biker joint. College Night is twice weekly, with beer pong and penny pitchers on Tuesdays (after 9 p.m., it's $5 for girls, $7 for guys), and ‘80s Night on Thursdays with ‘80s music and prices. Owner Pat Beard said that several UCCS professors sometimes stop in – after class, of course.

The entrance to the bar is within the patio to the left of the bike shop. Inside, the jukebox is loud, but not so loud as to prohibit conversation.

The bar has an Elvis pinball machine, a "Big Buck Hunter" game, virtual bowling and well-placed sports TVs, which means there's entertainment for any persuasion. The Internet jukebox adorns the wall, but I must admit that the infinite variety at ridiculous prices is much less fun than the classic parameters of quarter play. Without spending a dime, however, I was treated to the Beatles, Al Green  and Steely Dan. Not a bad afternoon mix.

The food is, well, really good bar food. Simple classics like the signature sandwich the Philly Steak, made with quality ingredients and care, have no substitute. Portions and prices for appetizers and sandwiches are similar across the menu, so expect more-than-you-can-eat sizes of everything for $5 to $9.

The full-sized Knucklehead Nachos, Fried Zucchini Wheels and multicolored chips and salsa stand out on the appetizer side of the menu. All sandwiches can come with the house-made, hand-cut fries, which are fantastic alone or smothered in green chile, cheese and sour cream.

The Burnout Burger with jalepenos, pepper jack and a fried onion ring, and the Julius Cheezer with swiss, cheddar, American and pepper jack lead the burger pack. The Biker Club Sandwich, prepared by the nice weekend bartender Lauren, might be the best I have ever had, with hand-cut meats and attention to detail.

The Blue Iguana has more than atmosphere, food and drinks. Live music every Friday night utilizes the nice stage setup and house PA.

Last year, the first annual Punk Fest was met with a PBR-induced frenzy of pent-up Colorado Springs punk aggression, and will continue this year. Having grown up on punk in our anemic scene, I know that good local punk shows are like fine wine – rare and to be relished. And a whole Punk Fest, well, is like all-you-can-eat king crab legs with all-you-can-drink Pilsner Urquell.

Truth be told, I like the Blue Iguana because much of my childhood was spent in a bar just like it. Black Forest in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s was full of bikers. My father worked way too hard as a single dad, so quite often we went to the local tavern after work and school so that he could unwind.

Before you judge him, me or biker bars, know that I learned more about human nature in those times than any since. I was well-fed and cared for, always had change for the juke box and video games, and am still cared for by an extended family that has become as important as my own. 

Blue Iguana

4325 North Nevada

(719) 260-9309