16 W E S T W O R D F o o d & D r i n k 2 0 2 5 westword.com which includes one of the city’s newest Michelin-star spots, Kizaki. While res- ervations for that nine-seat counter are hard to come by, it’s much easier to get a table at Ototo, where you don’t even need to plan ahead to dig into its happy hour offerings, which are available from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Sip on discounted beer, wine, sake and cocktails, including a $7 gin fi zz in fl avors such as mango or passion fruit. Then order up eats like the $18 sushi and sashimi sampler, crab wonton nachos for $14, a selection of Ototo’s signature kushiyaki (skewers) for $5 each, and honey miso eggplant for $6. Revival Denver Public House 630 East 17th Avenue There’s a good reason why this Uptown restaurant was our 2025 Best of Denver pick for Best Happy Hour for a Full Meal. Actually, there are a lot of reasons. A $5 Old Fashioned? Blue-hued Polar Pop shots for $5? Chesapeake oysters served raw, baked or broiled with chorizo or garlic herb butter for $2 each? A huge soft pretzel topped with blue crab for $12? Revival has it all and more, from 2 to 5 p.m. and 10 to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Reckless Noodle House 800 Sherman Street Since this West Coast transplant made its way from Seattle to Denver’s Capitol Hill in 2022, it’s gained a loyal following of fans, particularly during happy hour, which runs from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and all night on Monday. We love the $7 cocktails, such as the barrel-aged Negroni made with Sips- mith London Dry gin, and the Reckless Rumchata with housemade horchata and Koloa fl oat. Bring an appetitesfor food deals like $5 papaya salad, a lobster rangoon bao for $7, and Shanghai spicy wontons filled with snow crab, rock shrimp and pork for $6. Shells & Sauce 2600 East 12th Avenue The happy hour at this cozy neighbor- hood Italian joint draws a crowd. Drink specials run from 3:30 to 6 p.m. daily and include $4 domestic beers, $6 well drinks, $22 bottles of wine and more. Food specials, available from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and all priced at $10.95, are mini meals with options such as four styles of fl atbreads and smaller versions of menu favorites like grilled salmon with scallion whipped potatoes, broccoli and roasted red pepper coulis, or chicken parmesan over spaghetti marinara. Ultreia 1701 Wynkoop Street Union Station’s Spanish hideaway is all about tapas and G&Ts. Its happy hour is available from 3 to 6 p.m. daily and includes many bites for around $6, like cider-braised chorizo on bread or a crispy deviled egg with jamón serrano and mahon cheese, plus $7 wines, sangria and a gin and tonic, or Ford’s gin Negroni for $5. Happy hour here gets even better if you can enjoy it on the patio on a sunny day. Xiquita 500 East 19th Avenue From 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, this Uptown hotspot serves its taqueria menu of Mexican street-food favorites not on its regular menu. The lineup includes a variety of $6 tacos, such as beef tongue barbacoa or cho- rizo and carne asada with chicharron (campechano), along with a $15 mixed seafood cocktail, $5 pinto beans “stewed with chorizo and love” and more. Most of the happy-hour drinks, like the house margarita and the Mezcalita, are priced at $9, or you can opt for $5 beers or dis- counted wine by the glass. ■ Happiest Hours continued from page 14
