The Paragon – closed

The only thing pulled up from a search at the '79 location is an ATM. The closest bar is two buildings down called Cos Bar Aspen.

There’s this little vignette, from The Aspen Times, a writer reminiscing about the glory days:

Across the mall was the Paragon, which in the late ’70s and early ’80s became Aspen’s premier gay bar. It had an auxiliary space to one side called The Parlor Room, complete with ornate sofas, dainty tables, and a plush bar all its own. There were those who wouldn’t go in there, either, but homophobia has never been one of my vices, and I enjoyed the hell out of the place.

A place called chefdb.com last updated information on the Paragon in 2007.

Bruce LaFavour, who founded the Paragon, passed away in 2019. Reading this, I swear Margaret Atwood used his expedition story in one of her novels, A Moral Disorder.

It’s stuff like this that is making this exercise so fascinating.

Screaming Banana Banchi [Banshee]

• 1 oz. banana liqueur
• ¾ oz. white cream de cacao
• 1 oz. vodka
• 2 oz. half and half
• 1 maraschino cherry

Pour all but the cherry over crushed ice in a blender. Blend thoroughly. Pour into a brandy snifter, and garnish with a cherry.