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    Benson's Tavern & Beer Garden

    3.9 (103 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Benson's Tavern & Beer Garden Photos

    Business Info

    BENSON'S TAVERN & BEER GARDEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Live music
    Casual
    Outdoor seating

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    Sign of a good dive
    Matt C.

    Benson's Tavern is Salida's dive bar. Like most dives, it's perfectly imperfect. Cheap drinks, rowdy crowd and crammed like sardines. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. After a fulfilling pizza dinner down the street and some shopping post Thanksgiving parade, I got permission from the old ball and chain to head to Benson's. It was mighty cold outside, but that glorious Rainier sign was luring us in. We snagged the final two stools at the bar and imbibed. Drinks are cheap and they taste appropriate for what you're paying. The wife stuck with her G&T and I went the whiskey soda route. Old Grand Dad. After a few rounds, the bill was still satisfyingly cheap. Service was where it lost a star for me. Bartenders were keeping busy, but not very friendly at all. I attempted to start one and could tell he had no interest in keeping one going. And the other bartender seemed to ignore our direction. She eventually took my order and then forgot to make my drink. Not the end of the world, but c'mon take my money! There were definitely some creatures of the night making their way in and out of the bar. I love people watching and there were no shortage of characters here. It was getting loud, people were slamming shots and cheers-ing to whatever floated their inebriated boat. Would come back, just keep your expectations at the right level.

    Loved the show!!
    Drew G.

    Loved this place!! The band was Rodney Rice and they were so much fun!! The beer garden is very cool and the whole place has an inviting old schoo

    the bar
    Heather S.

    Cute little place to grab a beer or some grub. Sit outside or inside. I opted to belly up at the bar. The environment feels like a dive bar which is my favorite type of bar. Their beer and liquor selection is extremely limited. Several alcohols/beers I asked for weren't in the bar or they just ran out. Lots of local beers on tap. Service was friendly. Location is front and center.

    Da Bar.
    Alex R.

    I am surprised that they call themselves a beer garden because a beer garden they are not. Number one there was no garden, and number two they did not have a big selection of beer. Being in Colorado, a state known by beer connoisseurs around the world, I was disappointed that they did not offer local craft beers. They did have a couple of IPAs and sours. I went for the Guinness. Because of Covid, and the time of year, when I visited, the city of Salida rolled up the carpets around 9 pm. I do appreciate that Benson's stayed open because after hiking all day, my wife and I did want to stop by a place for a drink. If you are looking for a late night place where all the servers hang out once the bars close, this is your place.

    Overdone and chewy fish
    Scott K.

    Little dive bar. Bartender was nice but the $14 fish and chips was chewy and burnt. Way not worth it

    Abigail P.

    A really nice and friendly local bar. A small but respectable selection of local beers. A super friendly staff an d quick service. The entire street has basically been shut down so a nice amount of outdoor seating. I really enjoy my experience. I saw a Wolski's sticker which made me extremely happy. Milwaukee! It's a small world or something.

    Half order of mango habanero wings. Their blue cheese is awesome.
    James D.

    Bensons has become my local bar. Here's why: great food, great variety and awesome bar staff. The atmosphere inside of the bar is warm and cheery. It's rarely a dull night inside. There are several TVs to watch the game (the only bar in Salida that plays all of the avalanche games) and they usually bump some light tunes. There are several tables and three big booths in three of the corners. The exterior patio is large and there is a stage for live music and performances. There is also a trailer outside that serves as a bar in the summer time. The food here is definitely above average; especially for bar food. The chicken wings are great. Their daily specials are pretty creative and keep things interesting. Their green chili is absolutely fantastic. Here's a pro tip, order a chicken quesadilla to go along with it and dip it in! Great crowd. Wonderful regulars. Awesome bar staff.

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    1 year ago

    Good food and drinks - local watering hole, love it. Will come back! Great burger / fries - surprisingly good side salad.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Amazing staff and great food! Chill divey vibe. If I could give more than 5 stars I would give it 6!

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    3 years ago

    Coors on tap. That's why we went. Decent. Could have been/should have been colder. 'Nuff said.

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    3 years ago

    Really fun dive bar good pub food, burger big enough to split. Fun atmosphere, friendly folk

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    5 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great live music and good bar food. Nice selection of taps. I like this place a lot. Sit outside if you can.

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Such friendly staff , good beers and food! You have to try this place. We always go here first when visiting Salida!!!

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Benson's is a great bar with decent food. Staff and patrons are a good group. Felt at home right away.

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    5 years ago

    The best part of this beer garden is the staff! The fish and chips were awesome! They are open as late as anyone else in town.

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    6 years ago

    Great service, good food, generous drinks plus lovely beer garden/eating area: make this your stop!

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    4 years ago

    Not the best food but good drinks and great bartenders. Def a local spot. Tourists and non-locals beware!

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Review Highlights - Benson's Tavern & Beer Garden

    Much better food than touristy Boathouse.

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    The Buena Viking

    The Buena Viking

    4.6
    (214 reviews)
    22.4 mi
    $$

    The burgers are absolutely delicious. Whether you're looking for something basic, or something with…read morecreative flair, you're sure to find it here! The Crisp Air Don't Care Burger was amazing. Juicy, on the sweet side, but the cheese and green apples balanced it out beautifully! The Parm-Truffle Tots were goodand crispy, but beware, they are VERY truffle-y so if that isn't your flavor be sure to choose another option. It's a cool spot in downtown BV with a nice patio, friendly service, and a nice selection of drinks, beer and food.

    We stopped by The Buena Viking with our dog and grabbed a table on the patio, which was a great…read moreplace to relax. The outdoor seating was comfortable, dog-friendly, and had a fun atmosphere. We ordered the Whiskey Melt with sweet potato fries, tots, a half Caesar, plus the Rose Marie and Rye Tai cocktails. Both drinks were fantastic and easily some of the highlights of the meal. The sweet potato fries and tots were excellent - super crispy, flavorful, and cooked just right. The Whiskey Melt was cooked perfectly, but it needed a bit more seasoning to really bring the flavors together. Because of that, the cheese and grilled onions got a little lost instead of standing out. A little extra seasoning would take this sandwich to the next level. One small note: the $1.50 side sauces didn't feel like a great value. It came in a prefilled 2-ounce portion cup with lid, but container was barely half full. The portion size didn't quite justify the upcharge. The service was exceptional. Not only was our server attentive and friendly, but every staff member we interacted with - or even watched helping other tables - seemed genuinely happy to be there. That level of hospitality really stood out. Overall, we had a great experience. Great drinks, excellent sides, outstanding service, and a welcoming dog-friendly patio. With a little more seasoning on the melt and a better value on the side sauces, this would easily be a five-star visit. We'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Bathroom wallpaper
    Bathroom wallpaper
    Tots
    Tots
    Outside

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    Outside

    Benson's Tavern & Beer Garden - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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