Home > Denver Restaurants > Restaurant Review > Percolated Places: Buchanan's Coffee Pub

My first encounter at Buchanan’s was back in 2003, when I was a junior at CU. I was studying my French homework; stressing out about not being able to read it, speak it, or write it. I chose Buchanan’s to study at since it is located on “The Hill” across from the campus. I guess I was too lazy to travel much further. Not to mention, Buchanan’s doesn’t spoof up their décor which makes it easier for me to study (I’m pretty sure I have undiagnosed A.D.D.).

The look of stress was blatantly across my face as it swept across me as if I was a character in “Fear and Loathing in Boulder.” I wasn’t high, but in Boulder you would have thought that was the case. I was tweaking out about my mid-term only being four days away. I kept glancing around seeing if someone else had a French book or if I noticed anyone in my French class that could possibly help me.

That is when I noticed this old veteran of World War II who sensed my distress and sat next to me. Before long we discussed his time in the war, his random stories of traveling across the country with nothing but a blanket to keep him warm at nights. His stories astounded me and I just listened. That day wasn’t a random day either. I have had times like that before in other coffee shops in Boulder. People not only want caffeine pumped through their veins, but to people-watch and have spiritual discussions about life.

At Buchanan’s, you get people of all kinds; retired war veterans, California-bred sorority girls, stoners who need a latte after their last bowl, stressed-out nerds studying for their French test and classy business people on a 5-minute coffee break. They are all there for the same reasons: to look at how weird everyone else is and to get some caffeineage through the old circulatory system.

The décor is nothing that you’ll jump up and down for. Plain and clean-cut they don’t need pink lamps and Ethan Allen couches to add to the comfort factor. The basic tables they have do the job just fine.

As far as the food goes, they do offer bagel sandwiches and some pastries, but let’s be honest, people go there for the coffee, tea and everything else that has our favorite drug in it. If you want to get some Vitamin D to go with your coffee, they have a small patio out front with limited seating, but and amazing view of the Flatirons.

After coming back to Buchanan’s just this past week, I was happy to see they have kept it the way it should be: simple. People go there to study (har har), and to indulge in a relaxing atmosphere while drinking their coffee. Not to be hounded by ridiculous music and have fruit balls serve you drinks. At Buchanan’s, there are no fruit balls just nice people and a friendly atmosphere to go on the side of your 16 ounce iced chai with an added shot of espresso kick.

And by the way, I got a C+ in French that year.

Buchanan's Coffee Pub
1301 Pennsylvania Ave.
Boulder, CO 80302
303-440-0222

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