Thunder and Buttons

Colorado Springs, United States

3.8

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 719-447-9888
Website:
www.thunderandbuttons.com
Address:
2415 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, 80904
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
1.7 miRoute 3 WB - West Colorado and Chestnut
1.7 miRoute 3 EB - West Colorado and Chestnut
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Good For
Late Night, Dessert
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
No
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Tue, Fri, Sat
Coat Check
No
Smoking
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
No
Has Pool Table
Yes

Today

Today 10:00 am – 2:00 am
Open now
Local time (Colorado Springs) 12:23 PM Sunday, June 29, 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Tuesday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Wednesday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Thursday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Friday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Saturday 11:00 am – 2:00 am
Sunday 10:00 am – 2:00 am

Description

Specialties

All of our food is prepared fresh daily. We have daily food specials consisting of a soup, and usually up to 3 other specialty items to go along with our full menu. We also have vegetarian options.

Daily Happy Hour and drink specials.

Karaōke on Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat nights.

BINGO on Friday nights!

Independent’s «Best of Springs» Winner!

Gold — Best Westside Bar — 2 years running!

Gold — Karaōke

Silver — Best Westside Restaurant

History

Established in 2004.

In 1888 a rowdy, Colorado City resident named Prairie Dog O’Byrne (so named beacuse of the prairie dog running in a wheel on the back of his wagon) purchased two bull elk and hitched them to his carriage. He named the elk Thunder and Buttons. O’Byrne and Laura Bell, another infamous West Side character from the red light district, would race the elk drawn carriage up and down Colorado Avenue and down into the heart of Colorado Springs — causing an upset to the gentry. O’Byrne spent most of his time carousing in the 21 saloons lining Colorado Avenue in what is now «Old Colorado City».In 1978, a local historian told this story to a young entrepreneur who purchased one of the old saloons on Colorado Avenue. He decided to name his new «saloon and eatery» after the two elk. Thunder and Buttons was born. The current owners purchased the business in September of 2010. Come in and relax — enjoy our homey, positive atmosphere, fantastic food, and great drinks!

Meet the Business Owner

Eric and Heather I.

Business Owner

Owners and Managers.

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20 reviews of Thunder and Buttons

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Carrollton, TX
Very good chili in Old Town Col Springs. This place is a solid 4 stars and I would go back. Service started out rough but got better.
Place rating: 1
Colorado Springs, CO
DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME! They are BELOW Mediocrity!
We went last night to get something to eat, have a drink, and watch Karaōke. The only time anyone acknowledged us was when I went to the bar to wait for my friend. The bartender NEVER asked again. We then went upstairs to the other bar hoping for better service and to play bar bingo, the wait staff walked by our table probably 10 times, saw our empty glasses and never asked if we wanted anything. We suffered through the heat (the place has NO air conditioning, and wouldn’t open the windows) and the non-​responsive staff, to watch 3 people sing karaōke. THIS PLACE IS A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME! We picked this place because they advertised that they had the best bar food, best wait staff, best karaōke, best this and best that (9 «best» awards). We were very DISAPPOINTED! I think the staff spent every night last year voting for themselves, because I did not experience anything near great or good. Their slogan is «Mediocrity Sucks». Mediocrity would be a step UP for them because I have never gone to a bar or restaurant and been completely ignored. The best part is that the staff earned their money last night… I only tipped the bartender for the one drink that she served us and the rest of the staff earned $ 0. If they would have waited on us, they would have made bank, because we are very good tippers.
Place rating: 1
San Luis Obispo, CA
So we drove 30 min to come here to sing karaōke and the Karaōke «DJ» was a douche! Don’t waste your time!
Place rating: 3
Colorado Springs, CO
I went to Thunder & Buttons to watch the Super Bowl last year. The staff was friendly, and I didn’t have to wait for service. The beer selection was okay, but I would have preferred some more microbrews, and the food I found to be subpar. During the game I ordered food twice and while the delivery was quick, the food itself wasn’t that great.
If Thunder & Buttons can add more local options to its beer and bring the food level up I think this place can be great.
Place rating: 5
Colorado Springs, CO
Great unique food and awesome service.
Love to go there during football season if my games not on at home.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
Good service.
Nachos were great, plenty for four to share. Chili mac was great (and is covered with the elk chili), and the bison brat with elk chili was gone before I could try a bite. Elk burger was seasoned lightly and was enjoyable with every bite. Great flavor.
They also serve local beers, and the ESB I had was excellent. There’s nothing not to like here (from my first visit, anyway)
Place rating: 4
Colorado Springs, CO
Great Neighborhood Pub. We Go All the Time
If you’re searching for a chill place to kick back a pint, eat dinner or just have a good time, this quaint little hometown pub will not let you down. As far as atmosphere goes, Thunder is one part sports bar, one part family restaurant and one part rockabilly hangout. Casual is king, and blue jeans and tee shirts are the norm. Drink prices are very reasonable and the food is great.
I’m a fan of the buffalo wings. They’re big and juicy, and you’ll never end up with overcooked, dried out runts which often show up at other places.
If you’re not into the protein scene, the falafel sliders are also quite excellent. By far, my favorite item on the menu is the bangers and mash. You can expect a generous portion of tender sausage and creamy mashed potatoes. Perfect comfort food (just make sure you balance out this guilty pleasure with a trip to the gym).
We go to Thunder all the time. Great prices, consistent food and friendly service keep us coming back every week.
Place rating: 5
Joshua, TX
We had such a great lunch here! Service was impeccable and I ordered a cocktail from the staff creations list and it was just perfect. I love this little spot. Tasty food and a great atmosphere.
Place rating: 5
Colorado Springs, CO
This place is great! Lindsey is pretty much the best bar tender in the world. Her drinks are on point, and her service is magnificent.
The karaōke is fun. They have a great selection of songs. The Dj is really funny.
Place rating: 3
Colorado Springs, CO
Food’s okay… hostess/​server seemed to be on drugs and extremely taken with my husband. Awkward… great place to play pool/​sing karaōke though (Saturday’s) /​grab a good local brew. I wouldn’t «dine» here again.
Place rating: 2
Campbell, CA
We were three people for dinner. We ordered:
Upgraded elk chili with salad
2 bison burgers with fries
Chicken wings and fries calamari
The waitress was not familiar with the menu and the sizes of dishes. The chicken wings were excellent. The burgers were overlooked and dry (the waitress forgot to ask how we wanted it cooked). The fries were not cooked to order and tasted like they were pre-​made and set in the kitchen for good couple of hours. The chili was cold.
A bit overpriced for Colorado Springs
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
Was in CS for business, used Unilocal to find something new for me to try… that’s when i could T&B and their elk chili.
The chili itself is awesome… add elk — double awesome!
Place rating: 4
Colorado Springs, CO
This is one of my favorite bars to go to in the Colorado Springs area, especially for karaōke. They have the best karaōke spot in town, and while you may only get to do 2 or 3 songs, it’s still a lot of fun. The drinks are a touch pricey for certain things, but otherwise reasonable. The food is pretty good for bar food. It’s got a fun, friendly environment. The staff is pretty nice, so no complaints there! It gets busy and loud on the weekends, but what bar doesn’t? That just means they are doing something right. :)
Place rating: 3
Atlanta, GA
Great Elk Chili and Beef Medallions.
Even the Avocado Chicken Ceasar Salad was good.
Great Service.
Place rating: 5
Fort Campbell, TN
3rd time in Colorado Springs, 2nd time at T&B and couldn’t be more satisfied. The elk chili on anything would be amazing. Great selection of beers and liquor. Staff is outstanding, so outgoing. Definitely best bar restaurant in Old Colorado City maybe Colorado Springs.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
Thunder and Buttons is the perfect kick back place after a half day exploring garden of the gods (I’m jealous of you locals who could jog thru there every morning).
Inside the vibe is rustic, laid back casual with excellent music in the background and a friendly staff offering excellent pub grub and an excellent selection of beers with TV’s playing all the relevant ball games.
As a starter, I had the Milk Stout (Longmont) on draft: it was perfect.
For the main course I had the Buffalo Burger. No better a taste of Americana have I ever tasted. A Mecca after a lot of road tripping.
Place rating: 4
Colorado Springs, CO
Special place in my heart for T&B. We’re trivia regulars on Tuesday nights and although the place may be dive-​y, the food is worth it.
Mac and cheese with elk chili, onions, and jalapenos. This might be my death row meal. Also if you didn’t think they could stack a plate of nachos taller than you, you’re wrong.
Place rating: 5
Glen Ellyn, IL
Great service. Elk chili is fantastic! Schnitzel sandwich is just okay. Nothing great. The lettuce wraps are really good and a large portion. The nachos are equally fantastic. I tried everything! The service was tops as well. Nothing at all to complain about. If so, get some more elk chili!
Place rating: 5
Forest Park, IL
I was visiting a friend in CS and we made our way to this place for karaōke. It, like much of CS, reminds me of smaller town midwest. It’s refreshing to come to a place that doesn’t scream $ 8 beers and screaming at your friends to be heard. Well priced beer and drinks, good karaōke (well the music track was good), and an excellent time to be had.
I’ve been told the history of the bar is pretty entertaining as well. Feel free to ask your bartender.
Place rating: 4
Aurora, CO
What can I say, the elk chili was bomb! Fantastic! I was hooked on the flavor from the first taste.
The elk is paired perfectly with the chili as far as consistency and taste. The chili is hearty and has an edgy taste– tomato based and thick. I got the chili Mac bowl, it was Delicious.
Just go to Thunder and Buttons for the chili, and life will be good.