Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/32575
British ales make up the ten beers on tap. Bartender Jim Colt, who’s worked at The Broadmoor for 30 years, makes recommendations for the yard glasses based on your preferences. Signature drinks include Golden Bee Margarita, The Broadmoor Mojito, and the Bee Sting. Single malt scotches, Ports, and wines round out the drink menu. The piano player takes requests from the crowd and songbooks are passed out, making it easy to join in and request old favorites. On that Friday night, a half dozen birthdays were being celebrated, each getting a personalized birthday song. One was taken a step further when the birthday girl was summoned to the piano and the crowd serenaded her with “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling.” The staff gets in the spirit too. “There is a feeling you get on a busy evening when the piano is playing and the guests and team are having fun. I have never experienced anything like it. It is like the entire room is full of energy, and every single one of our guests is having a memorable experience,” says Michelle Garcia-O’Brien, current man- ager of the Golden Bee. Throwing Bee stickers at patrons is a tradition that started when an employee decided to throw a sticker at a patron and it caught on. “Mike DeCosta started the tradition 15 years ago and it took off. We now throw over one hundred bees a day,” says Garcia-O’Brien. The first Bee sticker wasn’t too different than the regular one thrown today, although the stickers have changed over the years to reflect different holidays and anniversaries. The Golden Bees might be dressed up as ghosts or witches for Halloween, a lep- rechaun for St. Patrick’s Day, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Christmas. Another notable sticker had the Bee rid- ing a ballistic missile. In celebration of its “golden” anniversary, the Bee has a “5” and “0” for wings. For many, the stickers are badges that symbolize the good times and celebrations that are part of the Golden Bee narrative. Community Spirit Times have changed since the Golden Bee opened with only four items on the menu. It now has three separate food menus for lunch and dinner, dessert, and late night. The menu consists of modern versions of traditional English pub fare, including the Isle of Mann Fish and Chips and Shepherd’s Pie. Desserts like the Cin- namon Roll Bread Pudding and the Big Ben Sundae are enough to share and satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. In 50 years, people from all over the world and all walks of life have visited the Golden Bee. Celebrities like Michael Douglas were found sitting at a table, while on another day James Brown played a song on the piano. “Nice Guy. He said ‘God Bless’ on his way out,” says Colt. Members of The Order of the Pew- ter Tankard, an exclusive club of long- time Bee regulars, hoist their personal- ized mugs together annually. It would be a mistake to call the Golden Bee a theme restaurant because it serves the community as a local establishment, where locals and guests of The Broad- moor eat and drink without barriers or pretense. So after 50 years, is there one thing about The Bee that defines it? Perhaps it’s the indelible memories and stories of good times and celebrations there. One thing was apparent that Friday evening: Looking around at the crowd and singing along involuntarily, the half dozen birthday parties present were celebrating as one. 99 broadmoor.com