The Royal Tavern is in the heart of Manitou Springs and, for many of its patrons, has truly been the heart of their community. There was shock and sorrow last week when a sign appeared on the door that read: Closed for business. Thank you for your support through the years.
El Paso County records show the building was constructed in 1936 and anecdotal accounts say it has always been the Royal Tavern.
Tosha Hett, who worked at the Royal Tavern for 20 years, is holding out hope that this is not the end of an era but merely a new chapter. She hopes to purchase the property and continue its legacy, including the affordable drink prices.
Hett described the Royal Tavern as “a family” made of staff and patrons who formed deep connections, celebrating and mourning together as life prompted with events like birthday potlucks, wedding limo rides and celebrations of life. She said they did themed dress-ups for Emma Crawford Coffin Races, marched together in parades, and enjoyed snow-day gatherings where they’d shoot pool, watch the snowflakes fall, and order pizza.
“It’s a staple in this town. We can’t just let the Royal go,” she said. “I want to bring it back to what it was – and make it better.”
And, she added, it’s especially hard for her personally to imagine life without the Royal. “You put 20 years into a place, you think of it being your future,” she said. “You want to buy it.”
Hett attributes much of what was great about the Royal to her longtime “boss,” Donald “Donnie” Moses, who died in May after a period of declining health. She credits his management style and his genuine care for people, especially women and children, with creating a positive workplace atmosphere.
Hett said she met Moses when she was a young single mother working at a local grocery store. Moses told her that if she wanted more hours, she could come work at his bar. Eventually Hett left the grocery store to go full time at the Royal Tavern, and after several years became a manager.
When Moses’ health started to falter, Hett said she had conversations with Moses about her eventually purchasing the establishment. However, no formal agreement was in place when the younger Moses passed on May 7 at age 61, followed just weeks later by his father, also named Donald Moses, who passed at age 91 on the day of his namesake’s graveside service.
The elder Donald Moses owned the building and the business; the younger managed the tavern. The building is now part of the Moses estate, the personal representative of which is Julie Moses-Smith according to court documents. She is the sister of the younger Donald Moses and the daughter and the only surviving child of the elder, according to his obituary; the other three of his four children passed before him.
The Bulletin reached out to Moses-Smith for comment on the legacy and possible future of the Royal Tavern. She declined to comment.
Hett said she has spoken with Moses-Smith about possibly purchasing the Royal Tavern, but it is unclear as of press time whether a deal may be reached.
It’s got to come back. It’s a staple in this town. – Tosha Hett
“Just hoping if it’s not me, it’s someone who wants me back to run it the way I’ve always done,” Hett said.
The Royal Tavern (924 Manitou Ave.) is not publicly listed for sale as of press time. County records state it is a one-story building, 1,055 square feet in area, with a market value of $84,332.
What the Royal Tavern means to its patrons
The Pikes Peak Bulletin solicited memories of the Royal Tavern on our Facebook page. Here are some of the responses; the full range may be viewed on our Facebook page.
Farley McDonough via the Adam’s Mountain Cafe account: Eric Fredrickson (your postman) and I found The Royal by accident 33 years ago right about this time of year. We ran out of money on our way to Seattle camping with our cat, Seymour, and ended up in Manitou. In those days you navigated by paper map. We thought Manitou was a campground because there was a little green tent symbol on the map. Anyway, upon realizing Manitou was a town – a super cool town – we stopped at the Royal for a beer … The bartender … told us to call Dave Meese (on the pay phone of course) because Dave had a rental available on Spencer at $325 a month – a little pricey but a nice place. And the rest is history.
Jeff Miller: While visiting my grandparents up on Washington Ave. for Christmas for many years, my brothers and I spent many a Christmas Eve at the Royal Tavern. So many good memories.
Karey Raymond: My grandma (Phyllis Ashton) bartended there ’til she was 75 … Biker bar is what I remember mostly, asking the lead of biker gangs for dollars to play skeeball. I would barback as a child to get more monies for the arcade. My grandpa would bring her there every day and hang out to watch over her and would mess with me with the old holes that were in the tables left behind from old juke boxes I do believe.
Rick Hudson told the Bulletin, “It was my home bar. We were all family … That’s where we all met to sit and talk.”
Rick said when he moved to Manitou Springs, he brought a tapestry showing dogs playing pool and gave it to Hett and the younger Moses to put over the pool table.
“Donnie called me a few weeks later and said, ‘thanks a lot, it cost me $40 to make that frame.'”
He chuckled fondly at the memory, saying, “That was Donnie.”