After putting in your time working 9 to 5, wouldn’t a dry martini on the rocks stir your weary soul? Denver has no shortage of cocktail bars where cool ambiance and a classic or craft drink can wash away your working man blues.
Recently, 303 Magazine ranked some of their favorites, including:
Tatarian, 4024 Tennyson St.: Step away from the doldrums into an ambiance of tropical palms, gray stone pillars and “a light wood bar that begs to be sat at,” tempts 303. The drinks are as exotic as the atmosphere, employing herbs, roots and spices. Located in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood, this bar “is turning heads,” notes the magazine,
Death & Co, 1280 25th St.: Located in the lobby of RiNo’s beautiful Ramble Hotel, this sexy bar features plush couches and seats covered in velvet in stunning sea colors and lit by elegant chandeliers. It’s so inviting, you’ll want to move in. Oh yeah. And the drinks are also to die for.
El Five, 2930 Umatilla St.: Situated on the fifth floor of this LoHi building, El Five offers amazing views of the Denver skyline— and food along with alcoholic fortification. Drinks come with hip names like the “Femme Fatale,” “The Old Turk” and “Zombie.” And let’s not forget the god-like concoction of pineapple and vermouth called the “Adonis.”
The Cruise Room, 1659 Wazee St.: This Denver classic, dating to 1933, opened the day after prohibition was repealed. No wonder it’s endured for nearly 90 years: It’s pure class. Patrons enjoy an Art deco-style room, with “glowing red walls, marble floors and bartenders serving classics from behind a retro countertop,” notes 303. Old Denver elegance all the way.
Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, 1215 20th St.: This building used to house a brothel, and the owners honor that history. Sexy art adorns the walls and patrons can rest in low-slung couches under soft light. They can also take a seat at tables placed around a sunken stage where musicians routinely entertain, or head downstairs to listen to the music up close. And they don’t even have to behave. As 303 says: “Ophelia’s is both sexy and a little naughty.”