Previewing Garden City’s new taprooms and tasting rooms
In recent years, Garden City, Idaho, has emerged as an artisan hub where both residents and visitors can immerse themselves in nature, visual arts, music, and craft food and beverages. The city is completely surrounded by Boise, and just a few miles from the Capitol building and downtown. The most enjoyable way to get there is along the Greenbelt, a 29-mile tree-lined pathway runs through the heart of Boise along the Boise River, and features scenic views, wildlife habitat and pedestrian access to many of Boise’s riverside parks and local businesses. In particular, Garden City’s Craft Beverage Corridor situated along the Greenbelt features more wineries, cideries and breweries per square mile than anywhere else in Idaho.
Follow the ‘Taste’ and ‘Create’ signs along the Greenbelt to stop at a range of Idaho’s craft wineries, breweries and art studios while enjoying the scenic path along the Boise River in the Live-Work-Create District in Garden City. Below are four of the newest establishments to stop and enjoy what this small creative community has to offer.
Belmont Brewhouse | 3840 W. Chinden Boulevard
As a nod to Idaho being the 43rd state, Belmont Brewhouse boasts 43 taps of local and regional craft beers. Other beverages available include seltzers (customizable with seasonal fruit purees), local wines available on tap or in bottles, ciders and sours. Pair one’s beverage of choice with a range of food options including pizzas, wings, appetizers, salads and sandwiches. Savor the suds and sunshine on their dog-friendly patio situated just off the Greenbelt. For those so inclined, post a picture of one’s dog on their “Hoppy Dog Wall,” which showcases photos of visiting pups.
Bardenay | 3100 W. Chinden Boulevard
For more than 25 years, Bardenay remains an Idaho favorite with locations in downtown Boise, Eagle and Coeur d’Alene. The newest outpost is in Garden City. With Bardenay Distilling Co. they sought to create a new restaurant with a slightly different experience from their other restaurants by featuring upscale pub food made from scratch paired with their spirits or local and international wines available by the glass or bottle. Their current lineup of spirits include gin, vodka, lemon vodka, rum, ginger rum and rye whiskey along with a range of liqueurs (strawberry, blueberry, cassis, banana, cherry and coffee).
The location also has an on-premise independent Idaho liquor store, which allows Bardenay to sell bottles to the public for off-site consumption. Future plans include offering distillery tours, as well as distilling an American Single Malt whiskey.
Laissez Faire Wine Co. | 521 E. 41st Street, Suite 165
The team behind Cinder Wines designed Laissez Faire Wine Co. as a site for everyday wine enjoyment. Situated at the base of The Boardwalk, a modern apartment complex on the Greenbelt, guests can unwind on their stunning patio and sandy beach that overlooks the Boise River. Laissez Faire features an entirely new lineup under its own label — wines that are fresh, fun, and made for everyday enjoyment. In true Laissez Faire spirit, it’s happy hour all day, every day — with all glass pours under $10 and all bottles under $25.
This wine pub also features rotating small bites, local beers, wine cocktails and non-alcoholic options, as well as Idaho’s first convenient walk-up wine window. Cinder was the first Idaho winery to place their wines in kegs nearly 15 years ago, so Laissez Faire encourages visitors to fill up their flasks and enjoy their wine either on-site or on their next adventure. Also, they feature a curated market stocked with cheese, charcuterie and creative picnic supplies.
Oldspeak Bar | 3640 W. Chinden Boulevard
The mission behind Oldspeak Bar’s bookstore and taproom concept is to “cultivate conversations and curiosity through libations and literature.” Their bookstore is carefully curated by their independent bookstore, The Lit Room, with their beer brewed from their own brewery, Alliteration Ales. They also offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages including a tea and light coffee program, switchels, sparkling water, kombucha and NA beer. Also, customers are encouraged to bring food from home or a nearby local business such as Wepa Cafe, Black Moon Pizza and Luciano’s. Also, as part of First Friday in Garden City, which occurs every other month, Oldspeak Bar changes out their gallery artists to align with the First Friday series.
More information about Garden City can be found here or here.
