Winks Tavern
Wink's Tavern
A Prohibition-Era Dance Hall and Tavern with a Unique Legacy
Wink’s Tavern, established within the Lincoln Hills Resort, became a popular dance hall and nightclub operated by Winks Hamlet. Known for serving alcohol during Prohibition, Wink’s Tavern stood out as an integrated social spot, attracting men from nearby dry towns like Pinecliffe and Rollinsville, and even Denver.
Here are some facts about Wink's Tavern:
- Wink’s Tavern was constructed as a dance hall and night clubs and was operated by Winks Hamlet within the Lincoln Hills Resort. Tavern continued to serve alcohol during prohibition making this a uniquely integrated spot in Lincoln Hills. Men of every ethnic extraction would come here from the nearby dry towns of Pinecliffe and Rollinsville, and as far as Denver, to drink, making it one of the best known and least discussed places in north Gilpin County.
- The tavern was used by Camp Nizhoni as a dining hall until the camp closed in 1945, and then was purchased by Winks Hamlet for use as a tavern.
The passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibited segregation at other resorts, and African-Americans were able to take advantage of a wider range of recreational options. Soon after, in 1965, Winks Hamlet died, leading to the closure and sale of Winks Lodge and the end of resort-related activities in the Lincoln Hills area.
