FUN: A guide to BIFF parties and local happy hours

Sometimes we say that the film festival is just an excuse to throw some parties.

OK, all the time. We always say that.

So, if that is what you are about (and our parties are a key reason we were voted one of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world by MovieMaker Magazine), here is your checklist!

1.                              Sponsor Happy Hour

Friday, Feb. 17, 4 to 6 p.m.

Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill

1346 Pearl St.

Show up with your ticket stub or VIP pass, gain entry, and party like a rock star! FREE drinks and appetizers!

2.                              VIP/Filmmaker Reception – VIP PASSHOLDERS ONLY!

Friday, Feb. 17, 4 to 6 p.m.

The Bitter Bar

835 Walnut St.

Mix and mingle at this exclusive event at one of Boulder’s most intimate and upscale venues!

3.                              Sponsor Happy Hour

Saturday, Feb. 18, 4 to 6 p.m.

Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill

1346 Pearl St.

Show up with your ticket stub or VIP pass, gain entry, and party like a rock star! FREE drinks and appetizers!

4.                              Public Filmmaker Party

Saturday, Feb. 18, 7 to 9 p.m.

Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill

1346 Pearl St.

$18 in advance -- $20 at the door – FREE FOR VIP PASSHOLDERS!

5.                              B.A.D. (BIFF After Dark) Party

Saturday, Feb. 18, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Oddfellows Hall

1543 Pearl St.

FILMMAKERS, VIP PASSHOLDERS AND VOLUNTEERS ONLY!

This is the one. It is going to be bananas. Not only will there will scads of films playing here and there, but there will be food from Chipotle, wine from Coppola Vineyards, beer from Avery and Boulder Beers, music with two live bands – The Vocal Q’s and Tommy and the Tangerines – DJ Space Monkey, and Boulder’s own nationally-known comedian Hippieman!

Now, that being said, there are other places to hang and have fun as well. The St. Julien Hotel at 900 Walnut St. is one of the coziest, friendliest places to hang out downtown – plus it hosts the Digital Media Symposium on Friday! Here are its special offers:

Wine Wednesday

5:30 to 10 p.m., Feb. 15

Jill’s Restaurant/Bistro/T-Zero

Half off all wines by the glass & bottle (featuring select wines from Francis Ford Coppola)

 

Jill’s Bistro Happy Hour

4:30 to 6 p.m. daily

½ off the entire Bistro menu

Bubbles $4

House martinis & wines $5

Draft beers $3

 

T-Zero Happy Hour

5 to 7 p.m. daily

Food specials

Draft beers $3

House wines & fruit bellinis $5

Tanqueray & Ketel One cocktails $7

 

Tuscan Table

11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 15-17

Buy one Tuscan Table, get one Tuscan Table for ½ off

 

Live Music Each Night

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in lobby

 

And thanks to DigiComm Commando Sandi Butchkiss for lining up this additional info!

The Happiest Happy Hours in Town

Even the BIFFIEST of movie mavens have to take time out for some sustenance during the festival. So here is a list of the most fun spots in town where you can stop for a reduced price refresher between films. Enjoy!

The Bitter Bar

835 Walnut

Happy hours 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Their Margaritas ($5) and their Negronis ($6) are really great. As are their ales and beers ($3) and the special HH menu is amazing ($3 - $6) with every comfort food imaginable, from duck pate, shrimp and sausages to mussels and meatballs.

BoulderChop House

921 Walnut

HH 4 to 6 p.m.

Get here early or you won't get a table in this popular spot. Great Martinis (and other special cocktails) are just $4.95. Yummy nibbles, including an authentic cheesy onion soup are just $1.95 and up.

Brasserie Ten Ten

1011 Walnut

HH 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Always packed to the rafters, especially at HH time.  . . and no wonder, as their wine goes down to $3.25 and their house booze to $3.50. But it's their HH menu choices, from sliders, mini burgers and frites to fish & chips and more that keep the locals happiest.

Cafe Gondolier

1738 Pearl

HH 4 to 6 p.m.

These folks make it simple and discount everything on their drink list and food menus!!!

Conor O'Neill's

1922 13th St.

HH an incredible FOUR hours, from 3 to 7 p.m. Their loyal following fills the place with cozy conversation as they down wine and beer at $3 per and munch on a wide range of excellent nibbles at $3 each.

The Corner Bar at the Boulderado Hotel

Spruce & 13th Street

HH 3 to 6 p.m.

This place has been a Boulder favorite forever, especially during their long HH with $3 beers and a whopping 40 percent off every item on all of their wines and appetizers.

Hapa

1117 Pearl

HH 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

$3 for beer or sake, $5.50 for a couple of extra big rolls and more.

Japango

1136 Pearl

HH 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Their HH is short but their value is big! Just $2 for Kirin or sake and a mere $2.25 for huge handrolls, sushi and California rolls.

Jax

928 Pearl

HH 4 to 6 p.m.

Their house wines go down to $3, their Martinis to $4, special vodka drinks to $3 and their famous truffle oil fries and coconut shrimp accordingly.

The Kitchen

1035 Pearl

HH 3 to 6 p.m.

Here for three hours you can quench your thirst with lager, beer and ales at $2 a pop, wine for $3. Carnivores can load up on lamb or pork sliders ($2.50) and the vegetarians get a choice of veggie plates ($4) or some excellent hummus & chick peas.

The Mediterranean

1002 Walnut

HH 3 to 6:30 p.m.

Just $1 off all well drinks but their legendary pizza at $3.50 plus the warm and friendly ambiance makes it all worthwhile.

Walnut Brewery

1123 Walnut

HH 3 to 6 p.m.

These guys make it really simple by slashing 50 % off every single item on their entire drinks and comestible menus.

West End Tavern

924 Pearl

HH 3 to 6 p.m.

Boulderites flock here at all hours, but especially at HH for their $3 Margaritas, beer, house wines and cocktails which they accompany with a selection from their special HH menu.