by Kelley Gilbert
Some may know it by the name Tricky Dickies or The Glix. If you are really old, you may remember it as a carryout liquor store. However, nowadays, anyone who is anyone knows the lively and welcoming bar as Swing Station.
Located just outside of Fort Collins in Laporte, Swing Station has become the go-to spot for locals and beer enthusiasts alike.
Not only does the local venue have ample seating inside and out on its expansive patio, but also tasty brews and hard to beat specials that one would be a fool to miss out on.
Disregarding the unique personality of the best honky-tonk bar in town, the true draw to the venue is the staff.
Owner and manager, Heather Allshouse, started out working at Swing Station as a bartender just under five years ago and has found herself continuing to thrive because of the strong community feel the bar brings in.
“It was a little tough at first with the transition to management,” said Allshouse. “We were up against a lot of challenges in the first year.”
While any transition is hard, Allshouse took it on with ease with the help of the other staff members on board.
“Everyone that works here is similar minded and on the same page,” said Allshouse. “One of the reasons Swing Station is so successful is because of our open communication and friendly atmosphere.”
All the hard work has paid off with huge transformations to the venue in the past couple years including becoming one of the most prominent music venues in the area.
With two stages, both inside and outside, the Swing Station incorporates bands from many different musical styles including roots rock, folk, Americana and honky-tonk, and is beginning to really heat up in the local area as well as with out of state bands.
From the friendly personality of the bar and staff to the well-known acts the venue brings in, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.
The venue even has a cycling special where you if you ride your bike, you get any micro-brew for only $3!
So grab a bike and head on over for some good eats and drinks – just be prepared to make some new friends along the way.
“It is not the biggest bar in town, but it is like a family,” said Allshouse.
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