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DINING Whether you wanted to sing or not, it was reflex to do so. People ducked their heads as full yards of beer were hoisted from the ground and swung around like a boom on a sail, so a drink or two could be taken in relative safety. Guests sported the special 50th an- niversary Golden Bee stickers the wait staff pegged them with when they first arrived, served with a side of friendly banter. Most of the crowd had been around for hours that Friday night, eat- ing, drinking and waiting to sing beloved songs with the beloved piano man. Like many Coloradans, the Golden I Bee is a transplant. It was originally a 19th-century pub in London before being dismantled in the 1880s and shipped to New York. In the mid-1950s, William Thayer Tutt, the Honorary Chairman of The Broadmoor at the time, took an interest in that English pub when he heard it was for sale. The pub was owned by the Whitebread House, which wanted to sell it to an American business to publicize their ale in the U.S. With $20,000, the pub was shipped to The Broadmoor, where interior design firm W.J. Sloan and its representative Leslie Dorsey restored the pub’s decor to its original glory. Then, on May 27, 1961, it re- opened as the Golden Bee under the International Center at The Broad- moor. Only two beers were offered on tap at the time of its opening—Whi- tebread House Ale and Coors. The pairing is somewhat telling of the “The Bee” … an authentic English Pub mixed with a little Colorado-style Americana. JOLLY GOOD TIMES The inimitable Golden Bee celebrates its 50th anniversary 98 The Broadmoor Magazine | 2011 • 2012 Contagious Fun As The Bee celebrates its 50th anniversary, libations are still the main focus. Beer is still served in yard and half-yard glasses. American brews and want to hold your ha-a-a- a-nd, I want to hold your hand,” the crowd belted out in near perfect pitch with Dave, the piano man. BY REGINALD BAUTISTA