You Should Hang Out Alone at a Brewery

It’s no secret that spending time in public by yourself is largely relegated to coffee shop culture, so what do you do if you want to be somewhere alone in a crowd in the late afternoon/early evening? I live in Colorado, so my evening hangout of choice is always a brewery. Here’s five reasons why!

1. Breweries have very casual dress codes.

   Even when the sun falls, I don’t have to change out of my hoodie, jorts, and sandals to be acceptably dressed for a brewery. The uniform of choice at a Colorado brewery is whatever you might find at REI. In fact, most of your fellow patrons are probably having a post-hike beer. Though, if you happen to be dressed smart casual, you won’t be out of place either. Breweries are welcoming like that.

2. Breweries tend to have indoor and outdoor seating options.

   If you can’t decide whether you want to be inside or not, you can try both! Soak up the sunset on a deck chair or sit at the bar inside so you can order another beer faster than table-dwellers.

3. You know it’s safer there because people bring their kids and dogs.

   One lingering fear I have as a woman is potential unwanted attention when I’m just trying to chill. This fear of mine is assuaged by the presence of families wherever I go. Parents don’t bring their kids to unsafe places!

4. Coffee shop behavior flies at a brewery.

   I’ve never received odd looks sitting by myself, having a book or notebook out. In fact, I’ve seen other people do the same thing many times before. Plus, the presence of a book or notebook tends to signal “I’m alone on purpose. I’m happy. I’m fine. Please let me be.” People will just let you be. No weirdos abound. Usually.

5. Beer is low ABV.

   If I’m alone in public, there’s no way I’m getting schwasted. One or two beers that sit around five percent are perfectly acceptable before hitting the tipsy limit!

6. Beer is good.

   Enough said.

If you’re in Colorado, check out your local microbrew when you need a place to be alone in public for the five o’ clock hour (or before or after). Stuck on where to start? Check out my favorite solo hangout breweries in Colorado below!

1. Lost Friend Brewing Company (Colorado Springs, CO)

2. Gravity Brewing (Louisville, CO)

3. Odd13 Brewing (Lafayette, CO)

4. City Star Brewing (Berthoud, CO)

5. Grimm Brothers Brewing (Loveland, CO)

6. Left Hand Brewing Company (Longmont, CO)

7. Very Nice Brewing Company (Nederland, CO)