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We live in a time when seemingly every food and drink has its own national holiday. (National Stuffed Mushroom Day? February 4. National Gingersnap Day? July 1.) But the negroni? The negroni gets a full week.
From June 24–30, drinkers across the country come together to honor the red-hued, bittersweet blend of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Denver bars are participating in the 7th annual event too, offering drink specials, throwing parties, and, most importantly, raising money for good causes. Here are a few of the best ways to celebrate Negroni Week 2019 around town:
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Bar Helix
Half of Bar Helix’s menu is devoted to negroni cocktails, so of course it’s your negroni-imbibing HQ this week. The bar is hosting a five-day #negronicleanse, which pretty much means you can drink negroni variations on the cheap from today through Sunday; the bar will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation. There’s also a nightly negroni-o-clock drawing for Campari schwag and Bar Helix gift cards (9 p.m.); an interactive cocktail class where you’ll learn how to build the perfect negroni (Saturday, June 29, 6:30–8 p.m.) and a Better Off Red Party where the first 20 guests will be rewarded with free drinks (Wednesday, June 26, 6–8 p.m.). 3440 Larimer St., 720-449-8587
Mozart’s Denver
This week, it’s all negroni all the time at Mozart’s, and a portion of sales from each drink will go to the Trevor Project, a non-profit that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people. The dive-ish Mayfair bar is doing $9 cocktails from open ’til close every day of Negroni Week—consider it the ideal liquid courage for Thursday night’s karaoke. 1417 Krameria St., 303-353-2320
Tavernetta
Two words: negroni fountain. Tavernetta gets things going on Monday night with said fountain, along with various Campari drinks and a raffle for gift cards to Tavernetta, Frasca Food & Wine, and Pizzeria Locale. Two dollars from each drink sale on Monday night (and $1 from every cocktail sold the rest of the week) will be donated to NAMI Colorado (National Alliance on Mental Illness). 1889 16th St., 720-605-1889
Broadway Market
The city’s newest food hall has gone negroni crazy this week, creating seven riffs on the classic cocktail, like the Reverend Stiggins made with pineapple rum, Campari, and Carpano Antica, and the Faith in Fernet with amaro, vermouth, Campari, and Fernet Branca. Try all seven; just maybe not all at once. Proceeds from cocktails sold go to the United States Bartenders Guild Bartender Emergency Assistance Program. 950 N. Broadway
Welton Room
Hop on the light rail, get off at 25th and Welton, and head into two-month-old Welton Room, the high-end cocktail bar located inside the Lydian in Five Points. There, sip your way through a special negroni menu that will be available all week long. Proceeds from each drink sold will go to Lambda Legal, “the oldest and largest national legal organization working for full civil rights for LGBTQ people and everyone living with HIV.” The Lydian, 2590 Welton St., Suite 103, 310-614-9999
Il Posto
Choose among four negroni variations at Il Posto this week, from the classic, to a thyme-and-pink-peppercorn-infused sipper. There’s even a non-alcoholic version: the Vir-Gin Negroni gives non-drinkers a taste with a mix of Italian ginger, pine, rosemary, and a citrus-juniper reduction. A portion of proceeds from all negronis sold goes to Slow Food International. 2601 Larimer St., 303-394-0100
Bistro Vendôme
Help out man’s best friend while sipping Bistro Vendôme’s Who’s a Good Negroni cocktail, made with 50 Pounds gin, Contratto Bitter, and vermouth. A dollar from each drink will be donated to PAWS – People Helping Animals. 1420 Larimer St., 303-825-3232
