100 Years of Old Town Pub
03/27/2025 03:11PM ● By Haley Watkins
Photos courtesy of Jameson Midgett.
On the corner of Sixth and Lincoln stands a building that has been at the heart of Steamboat Springs' vibrant music scene since 1984 – the Old Town Pub, familiarly known to locals as OTP. It originally opened in 1904 as the Albany Hotel by Ernest Campbell, and ever since, the building has served many purposes throughout its long history. It has been a hospital, a library, a dance hall and, most recently, a destination for live music.
The 1980s marked a new era for Steamboat's music culture, as both residents and visitors sought out entertainment after long days on the slopes. It was then that Old Town Pub began hosting concerts, putting Steamboat on the map as a live music hub. Names like Mick Fleetwood, JoJo of Widespread Panic, Karl Denson, John Popper, Spin Doctors and Sheryl Crow, have graced its various stages.
John Waldman of Great Knight Productions, who often booked talent to perform at Old Town Pub in the ‘80s and ‘90s, recalls a night when Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac took the stage at OTP. “At the time, Mick Fleetwood was doing small tours in Colorado mountain towns to promote his side project, Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo,” John remembers. “He called in a favor and Stevie Nicks flew into Hayden and wanted to check out the venue. We were sitting at the bar together when a couple of guys next to us were talking about the show. One of them was skeptical, wondering if she'd really show up. Stevie turns to them, took off her hat and sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Stevie, nice to meet you.’”
Back then, putting on a show was a labor of love – one that current owner Séan Reagan knows well. Séan began working at Old Town Pub in 2007, starting at the door and quickly becoming involved in nearly every other aspect of the business. He washed dishes, waited tables and eventually worked behind the bar.
The stage used to sit near the front by the bar, and Séan, alongside his mentor and best friend, Kurt Vordermeier, would haul 4x6 wooden boxes weighing around 100 pounds each to build a makeshift stage night after night. “We worked really hard to make every show happen,” Séan says. Since acquiring the Old Town Pub in 2016, Séan has made a few key changes to enhance the venue, including creating a more professional production space. The stage is now located in the back dining room, complete with incredible lighting, sound and stage setups. The first show to grace this new stage was Terrapin Flyer, featuring Melvin Seals, who played organ in the Jerry Garcia Band.
But it’s not just the big names that have shaped Old Town Pub’s legacy. Local bands and the tight-knit community have been central to the pub's enduring success. Buffalo Commons, a band born from open mic nights at Old Town Pub, became a local sensation. Séan witnessed their transformation from a few guys jamming in the back of the bar to a band that sold out shows. "Watching people with tears in their eyes as they sang along with Buffalo Commons was special," Séan says. "The energy and the connection – it was unlike anything else."
OTP also became a melting pot for Steamboat’s eclectic crowd. Locals, tourists and ski bums gathered at the pub to enjoy great music and camaraderie. Séan and his team work tirelessly to create an atmosphere where every show feels like an event – an opportunity for the community to come together.
Karl Denson, known for his work with Lenny Kravitz and The Rolling Stones, is no stranger to Steamboat Springs. His band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, has performed in Colorado since the early '90s, and in the summer of 2024, they played two nights at OTP. "Karl Denson and his band on Saturday night was something out of a nostalgic movie,” Séan says. “The room was packed and looked like a nightclub from the '80s. Everyone knew one another, and many had been coming to Old Town Pub for nearly 40 years.”
“The longevity of my staff is what keeps me going,” he adds. “The music business is tough, and if I ever question why I do this, my staff, quite a few who have been here for well past 10 years, are the backbone of this place.”
As the years have passed, Steamboat’s music scene has continued to evolve. While jam bands, bluegrass and rock and roll have remained consistent throughout the years, new genres have also entered the fold. The town’s music scene today reflects a blend of old traditions and new influences, with an increasing focus on both emerging talent and established acts in various genres.
Local venues like Old Town Pub, Schmiggity’s and The Press create a friendly atmosphere of competition. Together, they continue to elevate the culture of mountain town music and attract musicians and fans from near and far.
On the corner of Sixth and Lincoln stands a building that has been at the heart of Steamboat Springs' vibrant music scene since 1984 – the Old Town Pub, familiarly known to locals as OTP. It originally opened in 1904 as the Albany Hotel by Ernest Campbell, and ever since, the building has served many purposes throughout its long history. It has been a hospital, a library, a dance hall and, most recently, a destination for live music.
The 1980s marked a new era for Steamboat's music culture, as both residents and visitors sought out entertainment after long days on the slopes. It was then that Old Town Pub began hosting concerts, putting Steamboat on the map as a live music hub. Names like Mick Fleetwood, JoJo of Widespread Panic, Karl Denson, John Popper, Spin Doctors and Sheryl Crow, have graced its various stages.
John Waldman of Great Knight Productions, who often booked talent to perform at Old Town Pub in the ‘80s and ‘90s, recalls a night when Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac took the stage at OTP. “At the time, Mick Fleetwood was doing small tours in Colorado mountain towns to promote his side project, Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo,” John remembers. “He called in a favor and Stevie Nicks flew into Hayden and wanted to check out the venue. We were sitting at the bar together when a couple of guys next to us were talking about the show. One of them was skeptical, wondering if she'd really show up. Stevie turns to them, took off her hat and sunglasses and said, ‘Hi, I’m Stevie, nice to meet you.’”
Back then, putting on a show was a labor of love – one that current owner Séan Reagan knows well. Séan began working at Old Town Pub in 2007, starting at the door and quickly becoming involved in nearly every other aspect of the business. He washed dishes, waited tables and eventually worked behind the bar.
The stage used to sit near the front by the bar, and Séan, alongside his mentor and best friend, Kurt Vordermeier, would haul 4x6 wooden boxes weighing around 100 pounds each to build a makeshift stage night after night. “We worked really hard to make every show happen,” Séan says. Since acquiring the Old Town Pub in 2016, Séan has made a few key changes to enhance the venue, including creating a more professional production space. The stage is now located in the back dining room, complete with incredible lighting, sound and stage setups. The first show to grace this new stage was Terrapin Flyer, featuring Melvin Seals, who played organ in the Jerry Garcia Band.
But it’s not just the big names that have shaped Old Town Pub’s legacy. Local bands and the tight-knit community have been central to the pub's enduring success. Buffalo Commons, a band born from open mic nights at Old Town Pub, became a local sensation. Séan witnessed their transformation from a few guys jamming in the back of the bar to a band that sold out shows. "Watching people with tears in their eyes as they sang along with Buffalo Commons was special," Séan says. "The energy and the connection – it was unlike anything else."
OTP also became a melting pot for Steamboat’s eclectic crowd. Locals, tourists and ski bums gathered at the pub to enjoy great music and camaraderie. Séan and his team work tirelessly to create an atmosphere where every show feels like an event – an opportunity for the community to come together.
Karl Denson, known for his work with Lenny Kravitz and The Rolling Stones, is no stranger to Steamboat Springs. His band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, has performed in Colorado since the early '90s, and in the summer of 2024, they played two nights at OTP. "Karl Denson and his band on Saturday night was something out of a nostalgic movie,” Séan says. “The room was packed and looked like a nightclub from the '80s. Everyone knew one another, and many had been coming to Old Town Pub for nearly 40 years.”
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe performed at OTP last August.
Another standout was Goose, who broke down on Rabbit Ears Pass and were picked up by fans to make it to the show. “People were lined up in the bar waiting for the curtains to be drawn, they sprinted to the merch table and to the rail in the front of the stage,” Séan recalls. “It was such a unique and powerful experience. The band skipped the encore to elongate the final set of the two night run, which was a cover-heavy extravaganza, paying homage to Widespread Panic, Phish, Kenny Loggins, Michelle Branch and finalizing with The Isley Brother’s hit, “Shout.” The crowd was toyed from laying down on the floor, getting up, putting hands up – as the song demands – shouting when it's time. It was 1:45 in the morning, nobody wanted the night to end. We were a small stepping stone in their story, and what they did in our little room was magic for us all.”
Goose performed in 2019.
The Old Town Pub’s influence on Steamboat's music scene extends far beyond the performances it hosts. Séan works hard to connect bands with the town, ensuring they experience the unique charm Steamboat has to offer. Whether it's sending artists to local restaurants or up to the mountain, Séan makes sure musicians feel the magic of the town. "Steamboat’s not just a ski town. It’s a community, and we’ve created a vibe here that’s different from other places," Séan says. "We’ve built something that’s hard to replicate."
“The longevity of my staff is what keeps me going,” he adds. “The music business is tough, and if I ever question why I do this, my staff, quite a few who have been here for well past 10 years, are the backbone of this place.”
As the years have passed, Steamboat’s music scene has continued to evolve. While jam bands, bluegrass and rock and roll have remained consistent throughout the years, new genres have also entered the fold. The town’s music scene today reflects a blend of old traditions and new influences, with an increasing focus on both emerging talent and established acts in various genres.
Local venues like Old Town Pub, Schmiggity’s and The Press create a friendly atmosphere of competition. Together, they continue to elevate the culture of mountain town music and attract musicians and fans from near and far.