PRESS
Where Stories Are Told, and Retold
Durango’s Only Speakeasy Celebrates a Decade of Mystery, Craft & Community
A Speakeasy Unlike Any Other
Since 2015, The Bookcase and Barber has quietly transformed from an old bookstore into one of Durango’s most unforgettable experiences.
Blending tradition, intrigue, and craftsmanship, we’re proud to offer more than just cocktails and cuts — we offer stories.
10 Years of Headlines and Highlights
We’ve been called a “must-see” by writers, travelers, and locals alike — with good reason. What began as a creative nod to Durango’s past has evolved into a living piece of its cultural fabric.
Housed within a former bookstore dating back to 1981, The Bookcase and Barber has earned media attention for its immersive vibe, creative cocktails, and nod to the Prohibition era. Whether you’re catching a story with locals over one of our rotating signature drinks or getting a tailored cut in our refined barbershop setting, the experience is as timeless as it is unique.
We’re honored to be regarded on the same level as Durango favorites like the historic train and Mesa Verde. That timeless presence is what keeps publications and bloggers coming back — turning pages in our story and capturing the chapters we continue to write.
In the News
LA Times: “Durango, Colo., is all about pizza, pastries and a secret speakeasy on this weekend trip.” August 2019.
The Payroll Department: “Love on the Rocks: One Couple’s Secret is Talk of the Town” July 2018.
Albuquerque Journal: “Get on board the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.” May 2018.
BestThingsCo.com: “9 Best Speakeasy Bars in Colorado.” March 2018.
The Durango Herald: A Second Speakeasy – 2018 Expansion into The Archives. March 2018.
The Gulch Magazine: “The Thoughtcrime.” February 2018.
OnlyInYourState.com: “The Hidden Speakeasy In Colorado That Will Transport You To Another Era.” January 2018
TastingTable.com: “The World’s Best Bars for Bookworms.” January 2018.
NakedMobile: “How to Find the… Best Cocktail.” November 2017.
9news.com: “This Outdoor Mountain Town is an Outdoor Paradise You Can Actually Afford.” 2017.
GreatBourbon.com: “Great Bourbon Bar of America” 2017.
Parkbench.com: Interview. 2017.
DGO, Patty Templeton: “Durango Barbers’ new-school approach to an ancient trade.” April 2017.
Magestic Living Magazine: “Behind the Bookcase. Meet Mr Black, but first, what’s the password.” Winter, 2016. (p.42-47).
Mild to Wild Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours: “Top 5 Hidden Gems of Durango,“ June 2016.
5280, Denver’s Mile High Magazine: “First-Timer’s Guide: Durango” April 2016.
Ballantine Communications: “Flavor of Durango“ 2016.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung: “Erlesene Getränke“ October 16, 2016 *International Review
Region 9 Business Line: “Never judge a book “case” by its cover“ Summer 2016.
Southwest Colorado SBDC: “Success Story: The Bookcase and Barber“ June 2016.
Canadian Traveller: “Colorado Cool“ April 2016.
Mile High Sports: “The Bookcase and Barber: The best cocktail bar in the world.” March 2016. (p. 50).
DGO, Anya Jeremko-Greenwold: “Bookcase and the Barber gets literary with its cocktails“ March 2016.
4CornersTV: Chef in a Minute
Durango Telegraph: “Creating a Buzz,” November 26, 2015.
Come In for a Cut, Stay for the Story
Each night at The Bookcase and Barber begins with a password — and a sense of curiosity.
Step through the shelves and find yourself in a space where history, hospitality, and storytelling come to life. Whether mentioned in headlines or whispered among friends, our story is worth discovering… again and again.