We scoured the city to come up with nearly 200 deserving winners that make Denver such a killer place to live.
Edited by Cheryl Meyers
July 2008
Page 4 of 10
DIVERSIONS
BrewPub
EDITORS Bull & Bush Brewery
Glendale's Bull & Bush Brewery doesn't make the classic brewpub mistake: a myopic focus on the beer. Trust us, the beer is excellent—we're huge fans of the Man Beer, a balanced American IPA, and the Tower ESB, a strong extra special bitter—but the Bull & Bush is actually an enjoyable place to hang out—even if you're not drinking. It has the crowded, cozy fellowship of an English pub, blended with American elements—namely, flat-screen TVs and good food—that make time disappear. Our only complaint? You can't get a six-pack of Man Beer at the liquor store. 4700 Cherry Creek South Drive, 303-759-0333
READERS Wynkoop Brewing Company
Despite opening 20 years ago, the Wynkoop Brewing Company hasn't lost it. Tasty suds like the Railyard Ale and the spicy Patty's Chile Beer—not to mention the savory grub, pool tables, and great events like "Beer Drinker of the Year" and the Impulse Comedy shows on the weekends—keep loyal customers returning time and again. 1634 18th St., 303-297-2700
Cocktails
EDITORS City, O' City
When the vegetarian-food mecca WaterCourse Foods moved out of its old digs on 13th Avenue and over to 17th, we anxiously waited to see what new venture would appear. We never expected it would become one of our favorite spots for imbibing cocktails, but it has. In this hipster bar classic cocktails are making a comeback, so order an old standard or sample the daily special—a cocktail riff created nightly by the bar staff. The place is often overcrowded, but if you can manage to nab a seat at the bar they will let you stay for as long as you like. 206 E. 13th Ave., 303-831-6443, www.watercoursefoods.com
READERS The Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel
For more than 70 years, the Cruise Room has been synonymous with cocktails. Shaken, stirred—it doesn't matter. We just love what they serve in their Z-stem martini glasses. From the Vanilla Bean, which smells like a cookie, to the Classic, which can be finished with a twist or olive, you can't go wrong. 1600 17th St., 303-825-1107, www.theoxfordhotel.com
Art Installation
EDITORS "Toxic Schizophrenia," Museum of Contemporary Art
This sculpture of a biker-style heart tattoo—complete with a dagger dripping droplets of blood—contrasts with the Museum of Contemporary Art's polished and reflective building on Delgany Street. And maybe that's just the point British artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster wanted to make with the piece—to showcase street culture and capture their own rebellion. Located at the museum's entrance, the electrical sculpture (titled: "Toxic Schizophrenia") is best seen at night. 1485 Delgany St., 303-298-7554, www.mcartdenver.org
READERS "I See What You Mean" (aka: Big Blue Bear), Denver Convention Center
What's big, and blue, and quite the Peeping Tom? The Big Blue Bear. 700 14th St., 303-228-8000, www.denverconvention.com
Neighborhood
EDITORS Berkeley
OK, the architecture is more hit-or-miss than favorites like Wash Park or Park Hill, but Berkeley is a neighborhood that still feels real—a genuine mix of old-timers, hipsters, artsy types, young couples, ethnic enclaves—flanked by two city parks and tied together by a growing dining and retail scene. The eight-block span of Tennyson Street that runs through the area plays host to one of Denver's cooler First Friday scenes and serves as home to a growing number of galleries, indie businesses, boutiques, and restaurants (local faves Parisi, BigHoss Bar-B-Q, and DJ's Berkeley Café, for starters). Bonus: For northwest Denver, affordable-ish single-family home options abound, as do new row homes and scrapes.
READERS Highlands (West Highland and Highland area)
It's official: After years of crying "Wash Park!" our readers have shifted their love to this huge 'hood anchored by the up-and-coming 32nd and Zuni district, along with the established and hopping Highlands Square. The Highland area lays claim to some of the hottest new restaurants and boutiques in the city, and boasts great front-stoop culture, an engaged community, plenty of parks, and easy access to downtown and the foothills—not to mention a decent real estate scene in an otherwise shaky market.
Hotel Bar
EDITORS Second Home
This new upscale watering hole at the back of the JW Marriott lobby in Cherry Creek (former home of Mirepoix) is just the spot for a cozy fireside chat with a glass of Napa Cellars Merlot or a breezy raspberry gimlet on the patio. The microbrew selection and reasonably priced wine list complement the tempting bar menu—comfort food with a delicate twist, like beer-battered baby artichokes and BBQ lamb riblets with green apple slaw. While the unpretentious service, warm decor, and comfy seating make for a relaxing experience, the space is elegant enough for a more formal soiree as well. 150 Clayton Lane, 303-253-3000, www.secondhomedenver.com
READERS The Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel
Sipping a cocktail in the Oxford Hotel's 1930s art deco lounge is like stepping back in time—to the day after Prohibition was repealed, to be precise. You can almost feel the history when you order one of the infamous martinis—a surreal reddish glow illuminates the historic panels lining the narrow room, which is modeled after a lounge on the plush Queen Mary ocean liner, circa 1936. Pssst: We swear those ghost stories are true. 1600 17th St., 303-825-1107, www.theoxfordhotel.com/cruise-room.htm
Sports Bar
EDITORS Blake Street Tavern
It's fairly easy to park (except sometimes during Rockies' games), the TVs are everywhere and intelligently organized into nooks of varying sizes (particularly useful during football season if you are a transplant and want to watch something other than CU or the Broncos), the menu is fresh and tasty, and the waitresses are, well, cute. Need we say more? 2401 Blake St., 303-675-0505, www.blakestreettavern.com
READERS Chopper's Sports Grill
This wide-open pub features ample TVs (though not always ample seating and parking, depending on the event), a broad menu, and a Cherry Creek location that's a welcome distance from the LoDo crush. Tip: If it's too full and you still want to watch the game, the nearby Bull & Bush (our choice for Top Brewpub) is a great alternative with a good TV setup and a great pub-style menu. 80 S. Madison St., 303-399-4448
Dive Bar
EDITORS and READERS Don's Mixed Drinks
If you've been to Denver's best dive bar, count yourself as worldly. If you know that the bar's real name is Don's Club Tavern, count yourself as in-the-know. If you've lived here for more than a year and have never been, count yourself as a bad person. 723 E. Sixth Ave., no phone number
Bar for Live Music
EDITORS El Chapultepec
Before there was LoDo, there was El Chapultepec, a dive-y bar dishing up bad Mexican food and good jazz for the beatniks and down-and-out customers. Today, the clientele has changed—you'll find a mix of postgame Rockies fans, middle-aged couples after dinner, and hipsters avoiding the LoDo party scene—but the bar and the jazz are still thankfully the same. 1962 Market St., 303-295-9126
READERS Herman's Hideaway
The folks at Herman's Hideaway have been introducing customers to bands ranging from reggae to hardcore since the early '80s. They've also done it on the cheap—covers rarely cost more than $10—so you'll still have some cash to buy a few beers and enjoy the show. 1578 S. Broadway, 303-777-5840, www.hermanshideaway.com
Gay Bar
EDITORS Charlie's
There's a country-western dance floor on one side, and a black-light, techno-pop dance room on the other. It's home to the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association, and also home to the Monday-night underwear special (show up in your skivvies and get half-off drinks, boys only). No where else in Denver can you find a place more little-bit-country, little-bit-rock-'n'-roll—and everyone gets along just dandy. But be forewarned: Restrooms are not necessarily gender-specific. 900 E. Colfax Ave., 303-839-8890, www.charliesdenver.com
READERS JR's
With incredible weekly specials (Thursday nights it's 50-cent drafts and half-off wells), one can get into all kinds of trouble, especially considering there are two bars, pool tables, and Rihanna videos blasting everywhere. Bonus: You just might get in a conversation (we did) with gay men about which celebrity women they would sleep with, if they had to. 777 E. 17th Ave., 303-831-0459, www.myjrs.com
Happy Hour Menu
EDITORS and READERS McCormick's Fish House & Bar
Combing the city for the utmost happy hour menu, we found some incredible treasures: wings for a quarter, 2-for-1 sushi, and a 14-inch gourmet pizza for just $5. But nothing compared to the deals we found at McCormick's. Its famed $1.95 menu has delicious steamed mussels and fish tacos. High rollers can get an ahi tuna burger and fries for around $3. That's less than what it will cost you to park downtown. 1659 Wazee St., 303-825-1107, www.mccormickandschmicks.com
First Date
EDITORS Neighborhood Flix Cinema & Cafe
Dinner and a movie is the classic first-date scenario, right? The problem is that this classic date lacks innovation. That was, until Neighborhood Flix—Colfax's neighborhood bistro meets art film house—opened its doors in the Lowenstein Center. Now you can sip on a cocktail, chat over a dinner, and watch a cool indie film, all in one place. And, if things go well, flip up the armrest and cuddle during the movie. Now that's a lot more romantic than the local cineplex. 2510 E. Colfax Ave., 303-777-3549, www.neighborhoodflix.com
READERS Vesta Dipping Grill
While the décor sets the mood, the menu, which pairs a trio of dipping sauces with entrées, is the reason this spot is so darn date-friendly (interactive food—gives you something to play with). 1822 Blake St., 303-296-1970, www.vestagrill.com
Summer Festival
EDITORS Colorado Renaissance Festival
Here at 5280, we're all about big, freakin' legs of meat. So what better place to get your chomp on than at the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur? Grab a turkey leg, buy a jester's hat, and keep your boyfriends/husbands away from those saucy wenches. www.coloradorenaissance.com
READERS Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Really, what did you expect? Whether it's lookin' or buyin', this festival is tops for checking out the best of the regional art scene. Spend a day winding around booths or checking out the townsfolk. Slap down some cash and walk away with some original, regional culture. www.cherryarts.org
Theater Round-Up
Theaters abound in Denver, but these are our hands-down favorite destinations for catching a show.
Best place to see a semi-obscure band
With a tiered, mostly standing-room floor, an open balcony, good sound, and a self-contained mosh pit, the Bluebird hosts a wide variety of acts that are on their way up the fame ladder or cozily ensconced in their cult-following years. 3317 E. Colfax Ave., 303-377-1666, www.bluebirdtheater.net
Best place to see a borderline superstar band
Its sound quality varies, and it can get mighty hot during a crowded summer show, but the Fillmore's size, history, and street cred still make it the place most busting-out bands would like to play. 1510 Clarkson St., 303-837-0360, www.fillmoreauditorium.com
Best place to see an outdoor show
Red Rocks. Duh. www.redrocksonline.com
Best art-house movie theater
Its ancient seats can get butt-bruisingly uncomfortable, but the Mayan still has Denver's best selection of indie films shown in old-school surroundings. For more comfort, check out the new Neighborhood Flix. Mayan: 110 Broadway, 303-352-1992; Neighborhood Flix: 2510 E. Colfax Ave., 303-777-3549
Best place to see performing arts (or an indie film once a year)
Whether you're an opera/ballet season ticket holder or seeing the opening-night movie at the Denver Film Festival, the Ellie Caulkins Opera House is Denver's most beautiful venue—with luxurious seating and sweeping design. 950 13th St., 303-893-4100, www.denvercenter.org
Best place to wear a cowboy hat and feel totally in place
Even if country music isn't your thing (which it should be...you live in Denver, after all), the Grizzly Rose is a must-see music venue. A mechanical bull, Coors in the bottle, and real-life cowboys (both urban and rural) abound. Plus, there's the sing-along tunes. 5450 N. Valley Highway, 303-295-1330
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