THE BUZZ: Salida's 'Vic' full of spirit

By Dave Flomberg, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 24, 2008 at 7 p.m.

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So when did Salida become New Aspen?

I spent last weekend in the tiny hamlet nestled in the southwest Rockies, halfway to Four Corners, and the thought flitted through my head a few times - most notably when I stopped a few blocks south of the historic old town Salida district at a house that was for sale and grabbed one of the fliers. The cute little bungalow was 2,200 square feet, listed at well over $500,000.

Half a million bucks? Wow.

I mean, I get the draw to Salida, I really do. It's a beautiful town, positioned in a valley surrounded on all sides by rolling mountain ranges. The Arkansas River cuts right through town, and kayaking and whitewater rafting are big here, as are fishing and a gazillion other outdoor activities. There's a thriving arts community and plenty of places to eat and drink in town.

One of those also happens to be one of the oldest buildings in Salida, the Victoria Tavern. Originally a main rail stop, local legend suggests the collection of rooms above the bar were used as a brothel and are haunted to this day.

Always the skeptic, I don't buy any of that ghost and poltergeist nonsense. Not that I don't believe in life after death, mind you, I just have to think that I'll have far more important things to do than steal your car keys or move pots around or scare your dog when I'm dead.

While the discussion of spirits above the bar might be little more than local campfire-fodder, there's no shortage of spirits in the bar downstairs: On any given night, "The Vic" - as they call it there - can be packed with locals, playing pool on one of the two tables, or shuffleboard, or watching sports on the TV over the bar.

And my friend, there are still plenty of locals in this town, despite the skyrocketing real estate prices. From angsty early-20-somethings pining away for the big city, desperate for traffic and smog, to the strangely dressed sinister guy in the corner who might make for an extra in Lost Boys II, the Vic plays host to them all.

Indeed, the waitstaff alone is a cast of characters - from the door guy with the booming baritone who's a dead ringer for Jonah Hill (although his hair was dyed green after being first in line for the new Batman flick) to the waitress showing just a little too much leg (well, for Mrs. Buzz, anyway. Myself, a fan). Depending on the night, they're either working there or drinking there, and I'm willing to bet a little of both on most occasions.

They've got live music plenty of nights - traveling bands get to stay in the creaky old hotel above the bar and they've got their own collections of ghost stories about the joint, too.

Just get down there soon to witness it all. With The Vic's prime location across from the park, It's just a matter of time before some developer swoops in and turns it into an REI with a Starbucks in it.

And that's way worse than a couple of hooker ghosts on any day.

Victoria Tavern

143 North F St., Salida

719-539-9003

* The pizza's good at the Vic, but check out the Twisted Cork Cafe (719-539-7384), about a mile or two away on U.S. 50. The combination wine shop/eatery is a great romantic night out.

* The Fabulous Finds emporium (243 F St.) has a lot of those treasures you'd normally look for over on South Broadway in Denver - at a fraction of the price.

* Looking for some awesome jewelry for the Mrs.? Check out Cultureclash (131 N. F St.). And no, it's not a bunch of turquoise and silver.

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