SILVER DOLLAR BAR
Leadville, Colorado • Mountain Town Saloon • Elevation 10,152 ft
HOW HIGH IS HIGH?
Pro tip: Take it slow on your first drink - altitude affects everyone differently
SILVER RUSH HISTORY
Leadville was once the second-largest city in Colorado, built on silver and the dreams of thousands of miners
Peak Production
Leadville produced more silver than anywhere in the world
Silver Extracted
Worth over $2 billion in today's dollars
Peak Population
Second largest city in Colorado in 1880
Saloons in 1880
One bar for every 300 residents
THE 10K CLUB
Think you can handle drinking at altitude? Join the exclusive 10K Club by completing three drinks at the Silver Dollar Bar. Finish all three without needing to sit down, and you'll earn your spot on the Wall of Altitude Warriors.
Join the ranks of altitude warriors
The Story
In the 1880s, Leadville was booming. Silver had been discovered in the surrounding mountains, and fortune seekers flooded in from around the world. At its peak, the town had over 40,000 residents and more than 120 saloons. The Silver Dollar Bar was one of them - a place where miners could spend their hard-earned wages on whiskey and dreams of striking it rich.
What to Expect
The Silver Dollar is a time capsule of Colorado's mining heritage. Original mining equipment hangs from the walls. Old photographs show the town in its heyday. The bar itself is worn smooth by generations of elbows. And yes, there are actual silver dollars embedded in the bar top - a nod to the wealth that once flowed through this town.
What to Order
Start slow - the altitude is no joke. A local beer is a safe bet, and they've got several Colorado craft options on tap. If you're feeling brave, try the "Miner's Ruin" - a house specialty that's been warming miners since the 1880s. Just remember: at this altitude, one drink feels like two.
Tips
- Hydrate before you drink - altitude dehydration is real
- Take it slow on your first round
- Ask about the mining history - the bartenders know their stuff
- Try the Miner's Ruin if you're feeling adventurous
- Don't drive if you've been drinking - altitude amplifies everything
PHOTO GALLERY
Mining history covers every inch of the walls
The view from 10,152 feet - highest bar in Colorado
Original mining equipment from the 1880s silver rush
FIND US
315 Harrison Ave
Leadville, CO 80461
(719) 486-9914
Elevation: 10,152 ft
HOURS
Monday - Thursday3:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday - Saturday12:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Sunday12:00 PM - 10:00 PM