Buck Snort Saloon

This place has dramatically changed. It used to be fun with good food and friendly staff. Now it’s a hole in the wall dive with terrible food, horrible prices and very rude and neglectful staff. The place was empty and we still got terrible service. Never again.

Not sure how many stars to give the Buck Snort Saloon, so I’ll give it 3. I’ve been here several times previously and had a fun experience. And I always go more for the experience than the food. TODAY WHEN WE GOT THERE WE SAW A FOR SALE SIGN AND IT WAS CLOSED! Their website says nothing about being for sale OR being closed.

This saloon is cool but the owner and staff were very rude to my friend and me when we stopped in for a beer. They refused to serve my friend because the layout of his drivers license is vertical. He is from New Hampshire, and that is how they issue licenses when you are under 21, but unlike in CO they don’t expire when you turn 21 and you’re not required to get a new one until it actually expires. He is 24 and it won’t expire for another 2 years! It’s his valid form of ID and the owner was awful to us. I hope they look up the laws soon! Unacceptable.

Not worth the drive. Everyone says «you gotta see this place!» Some people even think the food is good. I’ve been three times and will not go back. And I won’t take out of town guests here again either. It is interesting, but that’s no reason to make the trip. Average food, below average staff. If you want to try it for some reason, don’t go in the winter. I know there’s a safety reason for not having fries or rings, but for me it detracts from the experience.

We stopped here after a day playing off-​road. The friends that convinced us to go there said the food was great. However, walking in, the energy of the place was terrible. It has a musky odor and is very run-​down. One might think that means «character» but it’s more like it’s uncared for. The food didn’t change my expectations: I had the worst burger I’ve ever had in a restaurant. It was nearly as bad as my mother’s burgers! The meat was overcooked and tasted like it had been boiled — a meatball with no seasoning. The bun was tiny and chewy, and the side of baked beans miniscule. And they want $ 11 for that!!! I’m sorry I ate it, my stomach feels queasy, sort of like eating rat poison makes a rat feel, I guess. Others at my table didn’t finish their burgers, they couldn’t stomach them either. I’m guessing it was griddled in the morning and then kept warm in a steam table for oh, about 8 hours :(
Never going back!

Extreme dissapoinment! My guy and I took a drive up to Conifer yesterday and decided to take the long road out of our way to try something local instead of heading back to Denver and this place had overall great reviews. Never again! We sit down at a table. Place wasn’t busy at all (there were only 4 other tables with people dining) and the bartender/​waitress with a Russian accent (we think, don’t know her name because she wasn’t even decent enough to say hello to us) was too busy constantly checking on her 6 top to see if they wanted more beer. She never once said hello, I’ll be right with you or anything. She looked at us and walked by several times with her nose turned up practically refusing to even wait on us. Like she was trying to give us a «hint» to leave. We waited 20 minutes and she still didn’t acknowledge us even once! Another couple that was eating gave their food back to the waitress also and said they weren’t going to eat it, that it was «disgusting» and they asked for their bill. The waitress didn’t even apologize to them or anything and never walked back their bill either. We obviously left. Having not received any customer service whatsoever and seeing the way the other couple was treated we ourselves were in disgust! We hadn’t eaten all day, we were tired and thirsty and hungry and we drove all that way to not even get a «hello!» This waitress needs to reconsider her «profession.» And poor her, we tip very very well and she missed out! I’m sure good tips don’t come too often in a craphole like that!
I should also note that when we were leaving the waitress had the nerve to peak around the wall and look right at us and then dip back and hide when she noticed me look at her. And then when we got into our car she came outside and stared us down! Seriously lady, WTF!

If it were possible to give 5 stars for the nostalgia I would. We took the very long and windy and potentially dangerous trek to The Buck Snort for a tribute to a dear family member who passed away and had previously put his business card on the wall. Website gave open hours for a Friday and got all the way there to find it closed and barely a sign indicating why. Checked in and took a picture and headed back down the mountain to have lunch at Zoka’s which was great. Not sure we’ll make it back to find that card, which would be very meaningful.

Have heard about this place for years but was never really sure where it was. My buddy and I went riding in the area and he had been here before and suggested we go. I was pretty excited to pop my Bucksnort cherry! Then, we made the turn into the narrow access road. As a reminder, I’m riding an 850 pound Harley Davidson Road King. Not the best bike for steep grades and twisty narrow roads that are best described as torn up and gravel full. No issues making the ride if your experienced like me but if your a novice rider you may want to drive. The burger was outstanding, the antler ale cold and the atmosphere as advertised. Don’t go there if your looking for 5 star service as that’s not what you get. It’s a classic shithole biker bar that I love. If it wasn’t so far from where I live I’d be a regular. If you dig a place like this, you will love it. If you like white linens and bottle service, this is not your place.

It wasn’t very busy when we walked in. We placed our order and it came out fast. That was the last time our waitress came to our table. The beer I ordered didn’t show up. The house salad I ordered never came out. We weren’t given napkins. We ordered nachos with sour cream on the side. The sour cream never made it out. The nachos looked like they came straight from the microwave. Maybe I would have given this place a better review if had a couple of beers, but since they won’t even bring a beer, that’s not possible. I guess it’s a good thing that I don’t love this place because it’s not the easiest place to get to, and I live in the area. This place definitely doesn’t live up to the hype. If you’re coming from Denver, keep driving down 285 and stop at Pine Junction. The bar/​grill there is so much better. The pastrami melt is amazing.

Summary: Terrible food, service and prices.
I’ve now gone to the Buck Snort Saloon twice, having terrible experiences both times. The first time was about two years ago. My buddy and I came in for burgers after fly fishing and were quite hungry. We ordered the «½ lb delicious, juicy burger, overflowing with all the goods» or something like that. What we got was a dry, dollar-​coin sized hunk burned ground beef which made the plain bun look huge. All of this wonderfulness for the stunning price of $ 12.
I tried to convince my two rock climbing partners we should not go back to the BS Saloon after climbing nearby, but they insisted. Once again I entered ravaged with hunger and left sorely disappointed. We sat down at the bar and a 12 year old girl asks us what drinks we wanted. It took them forever to take our food order. We then were surrounded by a group of stumbling drunks who would not leave us alone.
By the time our food order was taken, after watching saliva inducing burgers get taken out of the kitchen in front of us, we are informed the kitchen is closed and they can’t cook anything for us (at 7pm on a Sunday?). We can order food that doesn’t need to be cooked. So our options were a club sandwich, a ham and cheese sandwich, or a bean sprouts and tomato sandwich, all for the amazing price of $ 12 or $ 13 each. I order the ham and cheese and a «cup» of baked beans. The other two order the Turkey Club and a baked potato.
Ten minutes later, a voice from the kitchen yells, «we only have one potato! What do you guys want to do?» they elected to split the potato and get a cup of beans. When the food was finally delivered, I got my H&C and a tiny plastic condiment cup of baked beans, and my friends got two bean sprouts and tomato sandwiches.
«Um, excuse me, we didn’t order this. We ordered the club sandwich. «
to which was replied, «we didn’t have any turkey so we have you that.»
«we don’t want this, we’re kind of Carnivores.»
«I’ll add some ham to it for you.»
The waitress takes the sandwiches back and 10 minutes later brings out the same sandwiches with 1 slice of ham added to them.
There was no apology for the terrible service or lack of options, no offer to comp our drinks or the sandwiches for the inconvenience or terrible food.
Next time I will be more adamant, I’m never going back to the Buck Snort Saloon.

If you are expecting tea service you may be the wrong crowd for this place. This place is unique and eclectic. The drive up there is very scenic, but the road is narrow and may (will) have some loose gravel in places.
I had the burger and it was good, no it was better than just good, it was very good. If you get a dry burger you didn’t order it right. The wait staff was very friendly and the service was quick, although I did get there just after 11am when they open, but by the time I left there was 20+ people there eating.
It was my kind of place. it seemed everyone was there because they wanted to be there. This is an older place that is off the main road, but worth your time if you don’t think you are better than the rest of us regular people.
Prices? It was reasonable, not really any more than you would spend anywhere else.

It’s a unique place to go that’s for sure. The area is beautiful, but no more so than a hundred other spots along the way. Food was not good. Burger meat was tasteless and didn’t sit well after the meal and I’ve got an Iron stomach, I didn’t get sick or anything but my body was definitely wondering what hell I had just fed it. I’ve had worse for sure, but it was also not cheap by any means so definitely expected better. Tables, floors, bathrooms were all dirty, very dirty, not sure I would want to know what the kitchen looks like. Wait staff was friendly but speed is not a priority. We had our two kids with us and I wouldn’t recommend you bring children here. As we came in two different people said «kids are fine, keep ‘em on a leash though!» And «make sure you’ve got them under control!» I get it, out of control kids are pain in be ass, but I’m aware of what I need to do without having some backwoods local tell me how to parent, especially since he was very drunk and missing several teeth… Needless to say, I wouldn’t bring kids here, at least not young ones.
The back patio people rave about does have a cool view of the river but the patio is an eclectic mix of old furniture that doesn’t make sitting out there very comfortable. It’s also not very big, at all. Combine that with the fact it’s the smoking area as well and it’s not very appeasing to the relaxing time I was looking for so we sat inside. We went on a Sunday afternoon, it would be very interesting to see what that place is like on a weekend night, safe, who knows, but probably entertaining to say the least.
Overall it was a memorable experience I guess and now I can say we did it, but I will definitely not be back and wouldn’t recommend anyone to go unless they also wanted to say «I did it!». Not sure what all the hype is over this place. I’ve had WAY better food, beer, service, and atmosphere at MANY other dive bars/​restaurants in this state, and throughout the country. There are just so many other great places for food and beer that it is baffling this place is apparently such a «got to go there!» place. To each their own I suppose.

This is the second time I camped at Buffalo Creek and stopped at Bucksnort. Both times, I hoped to have a good lunch on my way home and both times I was disappointed. The first time, it took 30 – 45 minutes to get my overcooked, tasteless burger and I had to ask repeatedly for refills on my drink. The second time, after an hour of waiting and seeing two other tables who came in after us get their meals, we figured out they forgot our order and left hungry. When my two friends told the owner, she apologized and said it would be out soon. When we asked to pay so we could leave, they seemed surprised and offered us chips and salsa and comped a beer to stay. At that point, we just went to Chili’s. I don’t think I will be back with such terrible service.

Getting here is the fun. I Stopped post ride at Buffalo creek. The atmosphere is great and the staff was inviting. Unfortunately the kegs were warm and the burger was so so.

One has to love the Bucksnort. Just go and check it out. Worth the drive, I’d recommend more in the summer months, as that road might get tougher to navigate come winter.

Coasting on atmosphere alone; the food is genuinely awful. As in unmelted cheese on boiled meat burger awful. It’s a fun side trip if you stick to beer, but otherwise, you’ve been warned.

Great place to have a beer when a band in playing. Cant speak for the food, have not tried it, but for the experience the Bucksnort is a seriously unique gem.

The drive here is incredibly beautiful, the Bucksnort itself is a relic. This is a genuine shithole that’s been through it. Everything is carved, the taxidermy is falling apart, the service sucks, and the experience is amazing. Roll up, order a drink. If it’s nice, find a place out back on the patio overlooking the river. SO PRETTY, right? Aren’t you glad you came up here? Now take a sip of that beer. It tastes better when you’re here somehow.
Inside, there are dollars all over the wall. They’re drawn on, written on, and tacked up. We added our buck, too. I’m hoping the staff pads their pockets with the less creative ones. They deserve the tip.
This isn’t a place I’d want to eat. It’s not for eating. It’s for drinking, looking around, and soaking in the ambiance. Which dirt road brought you here? It doesn’t matter – you’re here, it’s beautiful, and you have a drink.
Now go tack up a dollar. Draw a penis on it. Go wild.

Do not go for the food; burgers were over cooked with no seasoning, salad was small for the price, and service was slow at best. It you brag about having the best burgers around, then you really should be the best! The atmosphere was cool, but that place sure does need some updates. The women’s bathroom was pretty scary. It’s an experience, would I venture there again? Probably not.

This is hard review to write, because I LOVE the Buck Snort… I really do! It’s on a short list of must-​visit places in the near-​Denver-​Area. However, if you’re going there for fine food and white glove service, you will be disappointed. The food is typical dive bar fare, nothing exceptional at all. But location and the building itself? Well, I wish I could break my review out and rate those two different aspects separately. It’d get a 5-​star of atmosphere.
Visit it at least once.

I agree with Patrick’s review on this one… it is a place that makes a man feel manly!
So, how did this woman feel walking into the Bucksnort on a weekday, lazy afternoon after an awesome drive through some beautiful woodsy scenery? I felt hungry. My manly man and I sat down at the wooden booth with signed dollars hanging all around us and ordered two beers and a plate of loaded chicken nachos from a waitress who made you feel like you belonged.
I liked visiting the Bucksnort. The food was good and the staff was nice, but the real star was the crazy, woodsy, words carved in every nook and cranny, dollars pinned all over, cabin-​like saloon. You won’t feel out of place. We saw a couple bikers, two climbers, and some tourists. Everyone is welcome at this joint!