Eddy Out at The Paddler’s Pub

What do 7000 rafters know that most of Fort Collins doesn’t? Not only that rafting the wild and scenic Poudre River is an amazing summertime activity in our spectacular town, but that afterwards they can enjoy live music, beer, yard games, sand volleyball, and food at the Paddler’s Pub at Mountain Whitewater Descents.
The Pub opened in 2011 and serves about 300 people with the outdoor bar and “circus tent” that are ready to open for the rafting season on May 15. Owner Brad Modesitt knows how to “sell fun in a dangerous spot really well.” He’s been in Fort Collins for 16 years and started as a whitewater rafting guide. He has 24,901 paddling miles under his belt, a big milestone in the rafting world, and the same distance as the circumference of the earth. He made it through the terrible fire season of 2012 during which $100,000 in revenue was lost, and now he’s planning on a 2017 grand opening of a 1200 person outdoor music and wedding venue with some of the most gorgeous views in Fort Collins. Sitting on over 12 acres, the new Paddler’s Pub is waiting on sewer and the CDOT Highway 287 road expansion to become a true Fort Collins destination.
The expansion will include a new “rafting office and retail spot with a restaurant and pub above it and seating that will be rented out to different groups, and 300 plus parking spots, which is a big thing in Fort Collins. That will set us apart,” Brad said.
Another aspect to the expansion is creating bridal quarters by “moving the historic house [on the property], built in 1854, which is the second oldest [building] in Larimer County.” Brad said, “I’m not a historic guy, but all the sudden I’m trying to save this building. It cracks me up. There’s a way we can provide a wedding venue easily,” which is something that Fort Collins doesn’t really have; an outdoor wedding venue.
With bike lanes from all over Fort Collins to get you to the Pub and 24 events planned for this season on Fridays and Sundays, Brad says, “It’s pretty fun out here. You get great sunsets, and when you get in and away from the road, you can’t beat the view. People like outdoor music and you can bike to it.”
Don’t miss their opening kickoff show on May 30th with a secret special guest. Other shows to look forward to this summer will include: Robert Cline Jr., Jeff Finlin, Eric Straumanis, Wooleye, Michael Kirkpatrick, SolPride, Brian Pounds from The Voice, and many more to be announced.
Hours of operation are Monday to Thursday, from 2pm until 8pm and Friday to Sunday, from 2pm until 11pm. For more information check their website: www.raftmwd.com/paddlers-pub