17 JUNE 18-24, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Bon Aperitivo! BY SARA ROSENTHAL Since the war with Iran began at the end of February, jet fuel costs have skyrocketed worldwide, driving up airfares, forcing route cuts, and dashing many folks’ dreams of a European vacation. But while your passport may be collecting dust this sum- mer, Denver still has plenty of places that pour out an aperativo vibe, from Spanish- style tapas bars to breezy wine patios. Here are six: Ultreia 1701 Wynkoop St., #125 Located in Union Station, this spot makes you feel like you’re at a lively wine bar on the Iberian Peninsula rather than at a major transit hub in downtown Denver. The split- level restaurant serves Spanish tapas and Portuguese petiscos with a menu ranging from traditional croquetas and pan con tomate to conservas and tinned seafood. Be- hind the bar, gin and vermouth take center stage alongside a wine list focused heavily on Spanish and Portuguese producers. Stop by on a Wednesday for the restaurant’s summertime paella-on-the-patio tradi- tion, or swing by from 3 to 6 p.m. daily for happy-hour pintxos: bite-sized snacks like crispy eggplant or chorizo served on bread or skewered with toothpicks. Mar Bella Wine Bar 233 Clayton St. Tucked inside the Clayton Hotel & Mem- bers Club in Cherry Creek, Mar Bella Wine Bar is chef Johnny Curiel’s love letter to Spain’s tapas tradition. Inspired by the convivial spirit of pintxos bars and sea- side dining, the restaurant celebrates the country’s coastal regions through a menu of seafood-forward tapas, house-made conservas, and hand-cut Jamón Ibérico. Behind the bar, a Spanish-driven wine list featuring more than 130 selections pairs with porrón service and a roaming gin- and-tonic cart inspired by the team’s travels through the Basque Country. Corsica Wine Bar 2801 Walnut St., Suite 100 Named after the French island nestled be- tween France and Italy, Corsica brings a slice of Mediterranean wine culture to RiNo. Exposed brick walls, Bentwood bistro chairs, and shelves fi lled with plants and books make it feel more Marseille than Mile High. The wine bar specializes in bottles from Corsica and other coastal European regions, offer- ing roughly 30 vinos by the glass and 200 by the bottle, alongside a menu of French- and Italian-inspired small plates. Order a glass of something crisp and mineral-driven, and snack on whipped ricotta, mushroom aran- cini and other shareable bites. (Pro-tip: stop by on Sundays for half-off bottles.) Heretik 1441 26th St. For a taste of the Basque coast without the airfare, head to Heretik, chef Theo Adley’s new tapas-style restaurant in RiNo. The unhurried pace makes it easy to lose track of time over shared plates, good wine and conversation. Wooden shelves lined with wine bottles adorn the intimate dining room, and fl oor-to-ceiling windows cast soft light across the open kitchen and cozy two-top tables. The menu draws heavily from French and Spanish traditions, center- ing on small plates like oysters served with chipolata sausage and lemon, Matrimonio (a classic Spanish pintxo featuring mackerel and anchovy atop fl aky pastry), and diver scallops a la plancha. Semiprecious 2839 W. 44th Ave., Suite 101 Few places in Denver capture the art of aperitivo quite like Semiprecious. The Sun- nyside watering hole draws inspiration from the daytime drinking cultures of Italy, Spain, France and Portugal, with a southwest-facing patio designed to soak up the afternoon sun. Inventive cocktails featuring ingredients like Spanish vermouth, French cognac and Italian amaro dot the menu, perfect for pair- ing with snackable small plates like dolmas, assorted cheeses or the Apero Pile – served inside a bag of Torres sea salt chips loaded with olives, Guindilla peppers, cornichons, fi nochietta and pecorino. Sienna Wine Bar 3434 E. 12th Ave. Nestled into a corner of the Congress Park neighborhood, this quaint wine bar brings a touch of Old World charm to modern- day Denver. The cozy space is fi lled with knickknacks, vintage lighting, navy-blue cabinetry and blue-and-white bistro chairs, while the breezy patio provides the perfect outside perch for a bottle from the globally curated wine list. The menu draws inspira- tion from across the Mediterranean, featur- ing dishes like baked brie wrapped in phyllo dough with raspberry jam, spanakopita served with mint tzatziki, and ratatouille. Order a bottle, share a few Mediterranean small plates, and try to imagine you’re on holiday along the Côte d’Azur instead of three blocks from Colfax. Email the author at [email protected]. CAFE FIND MORE FOOD & DRINK COVERAGE AT WESTWORD.COM/RESTAURANTS
