Ace Gillett's Lounge

Step downstairs into a dim, velvet-lined room where cocktails are treated like theater and the music is the point. Ace Gillett’s feels like a Fort Collins secret that took itself seriously and won: spinning vinyl, a grand piano tucked under oil-lamp glow, half-shell booths that beg whispered conversation. The menu favors shareable, reimagined comfort food and cocktails designed to be sipped slowly between sets. Locals come for anniversary nights, date nights, and the curated music programming; out-of-towners arrive wide-eyed, ready for a speakeasy moment. Service can wobble on busy nights and portions lean small, yet the place functions as more than a bar—it's a small cultural engine that pairs craft drinking with live jazz and curated playlists. Come for the atmosphere and the music first, let the food and theatrical cocktails fill the gaps. Sit near the piano if you want to feel the room breathe with every note.