Brian Sandoval is the owner of Town Hall Tavern since 2022. The downtown bar is locally famous for being much longer than it is wide.
Sandoval is a great example of a success story. He has lived in Montrose for most of his life, after being born in Denver. Sandoval, 40, has worked at the bar since 2008 and managed the bar since 2014.
Many locals, including Sandoval, recall when it was once called Suds and Grub. But it has since been renamed.
Town Hall Tavern is located at 330 E. Main St, and has nightlife, electronic darts, foosball, karaoke on Thursdays and live music on special occasions.
We asked him a little about himself and his bar.
Montrose Business Times: What made you want to own a bar, and what’s your favorite part?
Brian Sandoval: I just love talking with the people, so that’s why I bought it. The best part is the people. As far as a favorite part, I don’t know if I have one.
I like to see the tourists and interacting with the locals. Running and owning a business and owning a building that old, you’re the maintenance guy, you’re the plumber, you’re everything. You have a lot more duties.
MBT: Tell me more about the history of the building, if you know it.
Sandoval: It used to an alley, and in 1908, they put a roof over it. There were a couple small businesses there. The Englishes bought it in the early ‘20s, I believe, and they ran it as a luncheon during prohibition and then after as a tavern all the way until 1984.
MBT: How would you describe the environment in your bar?
Sandoval: I describe it as a place for everybody. It might be odd sometimes to start when you walk in, because at any time, there may be country music playing on the jukebox, or heavy metal at another time, or EDM, but if you sit down and get to talking to people who are from our area, or to tourists, there’s a lot of diversity.
Sometimes people come through the door their first time and they’re kind of nervous, but once they come in, they sit down and have a conversation, they get to know other people, and learn that it’s a great place.
MBT: What kind of changes or improvements have you made or do you hope to make?
Sandoval: I haven’t done much different, but I would like to do a garage door in the front of the building, so we can have it open; and we can have live music and stuff in the summer.
MBT: How do you like doing business in Montrose?
Sandoval: I have been around Montrose my whole life. This is my home, and I’ve made a lot of friends through the bar, and I feel like there are a lot of different people and businesses here. Montrose is a growing community, and I’m glad to be here.
Editor’s note: This interview is editor for brevity and readability.
