J-Bar, Aspen

Located in Hotel Jerome, this little watering hole sports a long history. It helped quench the thirst of Aspen's early miners. When Prohibition turned off the draught spigots, it became a soda shop whose most popular drink was a milkshake laced with under-the-counter bourbon. Known as an Aspen Crud, it's back on the menu today. In the 1970s, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson used to frequent the J-Bar, and his campaign poster for sheriff still graces the wall. It's not as much of a locals hangout as it once was, but it's still a worth a visit for lunch or dinner. While they serve up good salads and sandwiches, if you're into beef, you really should order one of their design-it-yourself, all-natural burgers. It starts with a half-pound of meat, and you pick from a list of extra-cost toppings that range from seven different cheeses to roasted poblano chilis and fried organic eggs. No reservations are taken here.

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