15 Colorado Dinner Table Rules From The 1960s That Would Shock Today’s Families
Growing up in Colorado during the 1960s meant something entirely different at dinnertime than what most families experience today.
My grandmother always reminded me that proper table manners weren’t just about eating—they reflected your respect, discipline, and upbringing. Back then, dinner was almost ceremonial: napkins neatly folded, elbows strictly off the table, and conversation limited to polite topics. Every motion mattered, from how you held your fork to when you dared to speak.
A misplaced utensil or an ill-timed comment could earn you a stern glance—or worse, a seatless fate. Though those rules feel quaint now, they taught lasting lessons in patience, respect, and the art of shared meals.
1. Children Were Seen, Not Heard
Silence was golden when kids sat down to eat in 1960s Colorado homes. Adults controlled every conversation, and children understood that speaking without permission meant serious consequences.
My own mother tells stories of sitting through entire meals without uttering a single word unless directly asked a question.
The rule existed to teach respect and self-control, though it feels almost cruel by today’s standards. Modern families encourage kids to share their day and express opinions freely at dinner. Back then, your thoughts mattered far less than your obedience, and the dinner table was where that lesson hit home hardest.
2. No Elbows on the Table, Ever
Elbows belonged anywhere except the dinner table, according to every Colorado parent in the 1960s. Resting them on the tablecloth earned you a sharp tap from a parent or grandparent who took posture seriously.
I remember my aunt getting whacked with a wooden spoon for this exact infraction during Sunday supper.
Perfect posture demonstrated good breeding and self-discipline to that generation. Today’s families barely notice if someone slouches or leans while eating. The strictness around body positioning at meals has vanished almost completely, replaced by a more relaxed approach that prioritizes comfort over rigid formality at family gatherings.
3. Clean Your Plate Completely
Leaving food on your plate was considered wasteful and disrespectful in 1960s Colorado households.
Parents who remembered the Great Depression and wartime rationing taught their children that every morsel mattered. My grandfather would sit at the table until I finished every last green bean, no matter how long it took.
This rule created lifelong eating habits for many people, not all of them healthy. Modern nutritionists encourage listening to your body’s fullness signals instead of forcing yourself to overeat. The old clean-plate mandate ignored individual appetite and portion control, prioritizing obedience over bodily awareness.
4. Ask Permission to Be Excused
Nobody left the dinner table in 1960s Colorado without explicitly requesting permission first. Simply standing up and walking away would have been considered shockingly rude and grounds for punishment. Children learned to say, “May I please be excused?” before even thinking about moving from their chairs.
This ritual reinforced parental authority and taught patience to restless kids. Today’s families often let children leave when they finish eating without formal requests. The old system created a clear power structure at mealtimes, while modern approaches tend toward flexibility and recognizing that kids have different eating speeds and attention spans.
5. Penrose Room Jacket Policy
The Penrose Room at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs maintained standards that would make most modern diners uncomfortable.
Gentlemen needed jackets, ladies required cocktail attire, and even well-mannered children faced scrutiny—young gentlemen over twelve had to wear jackets too. I once watched a family get turned away because their teenage son wore a polo shirt instead.
These dress codes reflected an era when dining out meant dressing up, period. Today’s restaurant culture leans casual, with athleisure showing up even at nice establishments. The Penrose Room still enforces similar standards, making it a living museum of mid-century dining expectations.
6. No Phone Calls at The Broadmoor
The Broadmoor’s dining rooms established house etiquette that included a strict no-phone-calls policy, along with clearly defined attire levels.
Back in the 1960s, this meant no interruptions from outside the dining experience whatsoever. My parents honoured this so seriously that they wouldn’t even accept emergency messages until after dessert.
The rule created an atmosphere of complete presence and attention to the meal. Modern smartphones have made this policy even more relevant, though harder to enforce. The Broadmoor’s commitment to undisturbed dining feels almost revolutionary now, when most people check their devices between courses without thinking twice about it.
7. Dressy Resort Attire Required
La Taverne at The Broadmoor called for “Dressy Resort Attire” during dinner service, a term that confused and intimidated many visitors.
This meant something fancier than business casual but not quite black-tie formal. My mother spent hours preparing outfits before our rare visits there, terrified of underdressing and facing embarrassment.
The specific dress terminology created anxiety around dining out that younger generations rarely experience. Most restaurants today welcome guests in whatever they’re wearing, from jeans to sundresses. That old-school formality made dining feel like a performance where your clothing choices could determine whether you belonged or not.
8. Flagstaff House Standards
Flagstaff House in Boulder enforced business-casual standards that banned t-shirts, hats, casual shorts, and athletic wear entirely.
Showing up in the wrong outfit meant being turned away, no matter how hungry you were or how far you’d driven. I heard stories of tourists arriving in hiking gear after climbing nearby trails, only to be politely refused entry.
These restrictions separated dining from everyday activities, making restaurant visits feel special and important. Today’s Boulder embraces a much more relaxed mountain-town vibe where athletic wear appears everywhere. The old dress codes created barriers that felt exclusive, while modern policies aim for inclusivity.
9. Guard and Grace Elegance
Guard and Grace in Denver publishes a “Dress Code and Conduct” note requiring “Casual Elegant Dress,” echoing standards from decades past.
This policy connects directly to 1960s expectations when dining out meant dressing your absolute best. My uncle still refuses to enter any restaurant without a collared shirt, a habit formed during that era.
The phrase “casual elegant” tries to bridge old formality with modern comfort, though it still confuses many diners. Some appreciate clear standards that elevate the experience, while others find dress codes pretentious and outdated. Guard and Grace maintains that dining quality extends beyond food to encompass atmosphere and presentation.
10. Le Bilboquet White-Tablecloth Rules
Le Bilboquet in Cherry Creek expects business-casual dress at this white-tablecloth French bistro, maintaining standards that feel transported from 1960s Paris.
The crisp linens and formal service style demand attire that matches the environment’s sophistication. I once saw a couple sheepishly leave when they realized their casual weekend wear didn’t meet expectations.
White tablecloths themselves signaled formality in the 1960s, a visual cue that casual behaviour wasn’t welcome. Many modern restaurants skip linens entirely to create relaxed vibes. Le Bilboquet’s commitment to traditional French dining etiquette preserves an experience that’s increasingly rare in today’s casual dining landscape.
11. The Fort Special-Occasion Atmosphere
The Fort in Morrison states business-casual as its dress code, though many guests treat dinner there as a special-occasion night out worthy of extra effort.
This echoes 1960s attitudes when eating at restaurants meant celebrating something important rather than grabbing convenient food. My grandparents visited The Fort only for anniversaries, wearing their finest Western attire.
The restaurant’s unique atmosphere encourages guests to dress up voluntarily, even beyond stated requirements. Modern dining often treats restaurants as routine rather than remarkable. The Fort’s ability to inspire special-occasion dressing without strict enforcement shows how atmosphere and reputation can maintain old-school standards organically.
12. Nocturne Age and Dress Rules
Nocturne Jazz and Supper Club in Denver enforces age rules straight from 1960s supper clubs: no guests under ten, twenty-one-plus on weekends, and dress encouraged toward the “upscale side of casual.”
These policies create an adult atmosphere that prioritizes sophistication over family-friendliness. I appreciate having spaces where grown-ups can enjoy themselves without worrying about disruptions.
The 1960s supper club culture thrived on exclusivity and elegance that Nocturne deliberately recreates. Modern restaurants rarely restrict ages or suggest dress codes, fearing they’ll lose business. Nocturne’s willingness to maintain standards attracts clientele who value that throwback experience and remember when dining out felt genuinely special.
13. Ginger and Baker Commitment Fee
The Cache at Ginger and Baker in Fort Collins practices old-school commitment etiquette: credit card required, with a twenty-five dollar per-person fee for late cancellations or no-shows.
This policy mirrors 1960s expectations when your word meant everything and breaking commitments carried real consequences. My father would rather show up sick than cancel a reservation and disappoint the restaurant.
Modern no-show culture frustrates restaurants struggling with empty tables and lost revenue. The commitment fee brings back accountability that used to exist through social pressure alone. Some diners find it offensive, while others appreciate restaurants protecting their business and respecting staff who prepare for expected guests.
14. Mint Steakhouse Grill-It-Yourself Tradition
The Mint Steakhouse in Silverthorne offers grill-it-yourself steaks on lava-rock grills, a long-running house custom that sets the tone for supper.
This interactive tradition connects to 1960s dining innovations when restaurants experimented with tableside preparation and customer participation. I remember the thrill of cooking my own meat, feeling grown-up and trusted with something important.
The custom transforms dinner into an experience rather than just a meal. Modern dining often removes diners from food preparation entirely. The Mint’s lava-rock tradition preserves a hands-on approach that engages guests and creates memorable moments, reflecting an era when dining out meant adventure and novelty.
15. Columbine Cash-Only Policy
Columbine Steak House and Lounge in Denver maintains its cash-only policy, an enduring throwback since the early 1960s.
This rule forces diners to plan ahead and carry physical money, something younger generations rarely do anymore. I’ve watched confused customers discover this policy after finishing meals, scrambling to find ATMs nearby.
The cash-only system reflects an era before credit cards dominated transactions and digital payments existed. Some appreciate the nostalgic simplicity, while others find it inconvenient and outdated. Columbine’s refusal to modernize payment methods preserves authenticity that makes the restaurant feel genuinely frozen in time, for better or worse.
16. Pepper Pod No-Substitutions Rule
Pepper Pod in Hudson states it plainly on the menu: “NO EXCLUSIONS, CHANGES OR SUBSTITUTIONS!” with a parenthetical note that if you don’t like something, take it off yourself. This blunt policy echoes 1960s attitudes when restaurants served what they served, and customer preferences mattered far less. My grandmother would never dream of asking for modifications anyway, considering it rude.
The rule eliminates kitchen complications and keeps service efficient, though it shocks modern diners accustomed to customizing everything. Today’s restaurant culture bends over backward accommodating preferences and dietary restrictions. Pepper Pod’s firm stance feels refreshingly honest, though potentially alienating to those expecting flexibility.
17. Caribou Club Members-Only Standards
Caribou Club in Aspen enforces strict dress codes for members and guests: no shorts, flip-flops, or hats, with mandatory coat check creating classic supper-club vibes.
These rules transport diners straight back to 1960s exclusivity when private clubs maintained rigid standards. I’ve heard stories of wealthy visitors being refused entry for wearing expensive sneakers that still violated policy.
The members-only model allows stricter enforcement than public restaurants can maintain. Modern Aspen embraces casual luxury where billionaires wear hoodies, making Caribou Club’s formality stand out dramatically. The club preserves an era when dressing properly signaled respect for the establishment and fellow diners.
18. Beckon Reservation-Only Formality
Beckon in Denver operates as a reservation-only chef’s counter with a fixed tasting menu, enforcing formal pacing and policies from the moment you book.
This structure mirrors 1960s fine dining when restaurants controlled every aspect of your experience. My first visit there reminded me of stories my parents told about special-occasion dinners where choice was limited but quality was guaranteed.
The reservation-only model creates scarcity and exclusivity that elevates perceived value. Modern casual dining offers unlimited choice and flexibility, making Beckon’s approach feel refreshingly curated. The formal pacing forces diners to slow down and savour each course, recapturing unhurried dining that characterized special meals decades ago.