Let’s be honest — for some of us, January felt like a calendar conspiracy this year, stretching 31 days into what felt like 90. Add Dry January to the mix, and the struggle was real. So when the chance came to board the Local Motive party bus for a Booze and Brews Bus Cruise collaboration with Visit Colorado Springs, I responded with a spirited, “Yes, please!”
The cruise begins at Voodoo Brewing on Garden of the Gods Road, so we take an Uber there to check in. We grab a cocktail and some nachos (food is a must — we aren’t novices) and join our group of about 40 people of all ages. As we step onto the party bus, a black light dance party awaits. Mayor Yemi Mobolade, a small-business champion, gives us a surprise send-off, thanking us for supporting local businesses.
For owners Johnny and Amanda Joy, the Local Motive is more than just a party bus — it’s their love letter to Colorado Springs’ small businesses. The Joys have made it their mission to connect people in a fun, safe way with local gems they might not discover on their own. Each carefully curated party bus tour route showcases venues with unique stories and passionate owners, turning first-time visitors into regulars.
“As Colorado natives, we’re thrilled to support local businesses,” Johnny says. “Now more than ever, it’s important to come together, celebrate and support in any way we can — whether that’s finding a thrifted outfit for a night out or enjoying the city’s best tacos and tequila. Whatever it is, it’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else.”
The bus can be used for almost any kind of event. Local Motive sold out multiple Christmas light tours for families over the holidays. But tonight, the bus is a club on wheels. Think pulsing beats, dance lights and enough room for everyone to bust a move between stops.
The vibe shifts when we roll up to Distillery 291 on North Nevada Avenue, where the intimate, dimly lit tasting room shares space with the working distillery. Over perfectly crafted Sazeracs, old-fashioneds and Manhattans, the group breaks off into smaller conversations, and that’s when we meet one of those couples that reminds you why the Springs is so special. She was a Denver die-hard who had promised her Springs-native husband she’d give Colorado Springs six months — max. But like so many before her, she found herself falling hard for the Springs’ charms. Six years later, she calls Old Colorado City home, completely smitten with the city’s blend of culture, proximity to the outdoors and genuine community spirit.
Back on the bus, the music is pumping, and riders sing and dance all the way to our next stop. We pull up to Trinity Brewing on Garden of the Gods Road and find 36 beers on tap, plus plenty of non-beer options for the hop-averse among us. The Trinity crew welcomes us in, and soon we are all debating Super Bowl predictions like old friends.
Our final stop is Whistle Pig Brewing in the historic Patty Jewett neighborhood. Palmer High graduates Eric Merrell and Rob Beers (yes, that’s really his name) have created a welcoming brewery with 17 beers on tap, plus hard kombucha, seltzers, ciders and cocktails. Our group rolls in large and energetic, but the staff’s enthusiasm never wavers. I connect with a woman who shares tips about how to save my struggling snake plant and what to do about a monstrous Monstera that is taking over my living room.
Our bus cruise finishes back at Voodoo, where many riders take advantage of half-price nightcaps. But with an early morning ahead, this writer opts for water and an Uber, saying goodbye to new friends and making plans for another ride on the Local Motive.
Get on Board the Local Motive Party Bus
Ready to hop aboard? The February/March Local Motive lineup includes:
- Galentine’s Crawl: Feb. 14
- Ultimate Date Night: Feb. 14
- Wine Ride: Feb. 15
- Booze and Brews Bus Cruise with Visit COS: Feb. 22
- Mardi Gras Masquerade: March 1
- Distillery Tour: March 8
But Local Motive will customize experiences for any celebration, from bachelorette parties to retirement send-offs, and yes, even kid-friendly adventures.
