Finally! It’s time for the long-awaited Pub Crawl to commence. The start is at the Ice Bar. That everyone knew. The other stops have been a secret, but now they are revealed, and this group of Santas is on its way. One stop is a bit of a puzzle. It’s the Secret Stash. Is this something to search for? Does the person or persons who find the Secret Stash get a prize?
If you’ve been in town for any length of time, you already know the answer. It’s not something that’s hidden away. It’s not even a secret. There is a prize, however, and that prize is the best pizza west of the Mississippi, or at least in the Crested Butte area. The wings are pretty good too.
There are other stops of course, each one with something special to offer. You’re not just going from one bar to the next bar, which looks like the first bar. The Secret Stash for one thing is large, it’s colorful, it’s friendly, and as those who frequent it will tell you, it’s unlike any pizza place you’ve ever seen. You’ll literally start thinking about coming back once you’ve stepped inside the door. It’s inviting.
The Secret Stash
Best bar, best pizza, unusual decorations, upstairs, downstairs, red gallery, Asian seating (and regular seating as well) – you name it, you’ll probably find it here. Trip Advisor gives it high ratings for food, value, service, and atmosphere; a hard-to-beat combination. It’s not uncommon for a waiting line to be outside the door, and it makes you wonder just how several hundred Santas will be accommodated during a Pub Crawl. Hopefully, someone has a plan.
You can order a large pizza, or order several small ones, each of a different type if you’re with a group. You’ll discover some very interesting combinations on the menu. For the ultimate in coziness, visit the Red Room. It features a bar and a pool table, but it’s the bar’s design, the seating arrangements, and the overall décor that make this part of the Secret Stash a fun place for food and drink.
Speaking of food and drink –it’s not just pizza and beer (the local Colorado beers are very good by the way). You can have your choice of steaks, seafood, and delicious desserts as well. Numerous events are held here and menus can be custom designed to suit each and every one, but the standard menu features enough variety for most visitors.
It’s unspoken, but it’s obvious. This is not your typical more-interesting-than-most dining establishment. You can practically see the tender, loving care that has been put into it oozing out of the woodwork. The Secret Stash is more than a stop on a Pub Crawl. It’s a place that belongs on every person’s bucket list, and given the long lines that are waiting to get in at times, maybe it is. It’s definitely the worst kept secret in Crested Butte.