15 C Club - Best Kept Secret in Colorado Springs, Colorado

After arriving in town for a visit, our friends insisted on taking my husband and I out for a nice martini, just us adults-leave the kids at home. Knowing my love for a good martini we comply and arrive in downtown Co. Springs. We park our car on the side street and our friends lead us down a dark alley where I was certain they were attempting to take us to some kind of red light hoochie-mama wild joint. I attempt to make light of the situation by asking, "are you guys lost? Perhaps we past it back there on the main street." They simply chuckle and reply, "come on, we know where we are going."

Passing the large garbage dumpster on the right and continuing onward we arrive at a black door, the only door with a light on above it. It simply states 15 C. We look at our friends who look back at us as if they are about to open a birthday surprise, snicker, then say, "Well go in!" "Uh, go in where? Go in here?" I ask. "Yep!" they reply. Hesitantly I open the door and find a very chic' Humphrey Bogart looking room. Yes, there are people inside sitting at tables, enjoying their cocktails and chatting. To the left wall are a couple soft leather sofa areas with low coffee tables, while in the middle are high bar tables. Directly in front view of the door is a polished wooden bar snuggling up to a painted brick wall. In the left portion of the club is a cozy room with a fireplace for cigar smoking, reservations required, for those who wish to partake.

This is a relaxed candle lit sultry bar and we turn to our friends and say in unison, "Nice!" To which they give us a wide grins and head nods. We grabbed a table in the middle of the room and order our martinis, "Grey Goose, dirty, with a twist" says one of our friends, and I order the standard, "A Cosmopolitan please." My husband is astounded by the choices and soon settles for the same as our friend. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. The martinis are smooth and delicious; though need to be sipped slowly or one my not find their way back down that dark alley.

Looking around I see people in suits, and those dressed casually. This place is hip, eclectic, and sophisticated, yet casual and comfortable. It's a place to come and relax with friends, or meet folks after work.

When we arrived it was easy to find a table but by 10 pm the place is packed with people, usually college students, and one is left wondering how all these people know about 15 C. It's not advertised, there are no signs saying "Martini and Cigar club come on in." It's an obscure joint off the main street, down an alley, of downtown Colorado Springs. This trendy niche is like something one would find on the side street of the French Quarter in New Orleans, jazzy and sophisticated.

I interviewed long time Springs resident, and ERAshields Agent, Julie Sears in order to get a locals view point of the club.
JKF: How did you hear about 15 C?
JS: Word of mouth...it's like a secret club.

JKF: What do you like most about 15C?
JS: The atmosphere, feeling like it's a "secret", and the hip décor.

JKF: What were your initial thoughts when you first arrived at 15 C?
JS: Cool!!!! A bit expensive, though.

JKF: How would you describe 15 C?
JS: 15C is definitely hip and off the beaten path. I like to go early in the evening when it's laid back and classy, before the college kids show up and smoke a ton (around 10 pm).

JKF: Any other comments about 15 C?
JS: People can still smoke at 15C (a bummer for me) because it is the only smoke-free "exempt" bar in C/S. They get 25% of their sales from the sale of cigars, so that makes them exempt from the new smoke-free rule that went into effect last August for bars and restaurants.

One really does enter from the backdoor, and the secret is out. 15 East Bijou Street Suite C is where you will find this premier cigar and martini bar.