The Red Onion

For the vegetable, see red onion.
The Red Onion
Stylized lettering saying "The Red Onion" in red with yellow trim, descending further rightward with each word. A drawn red onion rests, tilted, on the right. Above it are the curved words, in small type "Internationally famous", with "saloon … restaurant … established 1892" below in similar type
A narrow three-story red brick building with ornate black trim, connected to lower buildings on either side, seen from its right, with tree branches entering the frame from either side. The words "Red Onion" are in vertical gold lettering on the right side. In front are tables with red umbrellas and people seated around them.
South elevation and partial east profile, 2010
Map
A map of Colorado showing county boundaries and major rivers. There is a red pushpin in the center of Pitkin County in the west central region of the state.
A map of Colorado showing county boundaries and major rivers. There is a red pushpin in the center of Pitkin County in the west central region of the state.
Location within Colorado
Restaurant information
Established1892 (1892)
Owner(s)Brad Smith and Michael Tierney
ChefMichael Fiske
Food typeAmerican
Street address420 E. Cooper St.
CityAspen
StateColorado
Postal/ZIP Code81611
CountryUnited States
Coordinates39°11′17″N 106°49′9″W / 39.18806°N 106.81917°W / 39.18806; -106.81917
WebsiteRedOnionAspen.com
New Brick–The Brick Saloon
Architectural styleLate Victorian
MPSAspen MRA
NRHP reference No.87000185[1]
Added to NRHPMarch 6, 1987

The Red Onion is a restaurant located on East Cooper Avenue in Aspen, Colorado, United States. It is the oldest restaurant in the city,[2] housed in a three-story red brick Italianate building dating to the late 19th century. In 1987 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "New Brick–The Brick Saloon", along with other historic properties in the city.[1]

It began as a saloon opened by an early city alderman; at one point its upper floors were reportedly home to a brothel. In its early years it was one of three dining establishments in Aspen. It retains much of its original interior, including a bullet hole in the bar.[3] As the city became a popular ski resort, it hosted musical performances by, among others, Billie Holiday and John Denver. It continued operating under various owners for 115 years until closing for structural renovations for three years in the late 2000s.

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Aspen's Summer Season Brings New Restaurants, Art Galleries & Shops" (Press release). Aspen Chamber of Commerce. June 10, 2010. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  3. ^ Cooney, Tim (Summer 2010). "The New Old Red Onion". Aspen Sojourner. Retrieved May 5, 2011.