Fort Collins updates the soda-fountain tradition with spiked shakes: hand-scooped ice cream, a shot of something, and a burger alongside on Jefferson Street.

Old Town's retail blocks once ran on soda fountains, and Union Bar and Soda Fountain deliberately revives the form on Jefferson Street with housemade sodas, floats and milkshakes that take a pour of whiskey or liqueur without complaint. The mid-century room plays it straight, burgers and all, which makes the spiked shake feel less like a gimmick than a restoration. Big Al's, a few blocks away on Mountain Avenue, keeps the alcohol-free hand-scooped tradition running for purists.

1 editor pick for Boozy milkshake in Fort Collins, ranked by editorial score. All Fort Collins signature dishes · Boozy milkshake across every city.

Union Bar and Soda Fountain ★ 4.2

$$AmericanOld Town

Union Bar and Soda Fountain crosses a mid-century soda counter with craft cocktails on Jefferson Street in Fort Collins: burgers, floats and boozy shakes.

OrderA burger with a boozy shake or a housemade soda

TipHousemade sodas and boozy milkshakes are the point; vegan and gluten-free menus are marked. Happy hour weekdays 15:00-18:00.

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