10 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Mary (hence the name), then got a quick remodel a decade later when the frieze with Hitler’s face — one of a dozen interna- tional toasts circling the walls — was deemed politically incorrect. In the 1960s, it was the headquarters for a group of carousers known as the Evil Companions; in the ’90s, it was discovered by hipsters. Today you’ll fi nd all kinds of passengers hopping aboard bar stools to bask in the red light and down classic martinis. Don’s Club Tavern 723 East Sixth Avenue donsclubtavern.com Also known as Don’s Mixed Drinks (because of the wording on the old-school neon sign outside), this is a dive with staying power: It celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2022. Purchased by local bar conglomerate Little Pub Company in 2006, Don’s has retained a welcoming “old man’s basement” atmo- sphere. The secluded smoking patio and Skee-Ball machine are highlights, as is the vending machine dispensing fun packs of goodies such as condoms, burritos, cigarettes and candy. The bar caters to old-timers dur- ing the day and is a packed hangout for the younger set at night. The Horseshoe Lounge 414 East 20th Avenue thehorseshoelounge.com The ’Shoe, as its motley crew of regulars calls it, is a powerhouse bar in the Uptown neigh- borhood fi lled with vintage furniture and a bar top made of thousands of dice. The joint gets jumping with all sorts of folks venturing in and out of downtown on the weekends. Order a beer and a shot inside along with a pizza, or spend the evening sipping a cocktail on the back patio, the ideal oasis for a smoke and a conversation with a new friend. The Irish Rover 54 South Broadway theirishroverpub.com While the number of Irish bars in Denver has dwindled over the years, the Rover is still going strong. Open since 2005, it’s the perfect place to catch a Saturday-afternoon buzz, preferably kicked off with a proper pint of Guinness. On cold winter days, the comfy pub offers refuge, while its rooftop patio beckons when the sun is shining. After a drop of the hard stuff and a cold glass of beer, good conversations are sure to fl ow freely. Lakeview Lounge 2375 Sheridan Boulevard, Edgewater While the patio outside the Lakeview Lounge has a prime view of Sloan’s Lake, Sheridan Boulevard and the Denver skyline, those who love authentic dives will be more captivated by the view inside. The Lakeview is a weathered, classic saloon that time for- got. Clearly a drinker’s haven in an increas- ingly upscale area, the dimly lit lounge serves mystery shots in brown paper bags and very stiff, cheap drinks. Regulars throw quips, dice and dollar bills at each other, taking a break to plug the excellent jukebox. For those wanting booze for breakfast, the bar opens at 7 a.m. Lakewood Grill 8100 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood lakewoodgrill.online The Lakewood Grill has been around even longer than the city of Lakewood itself. The bar was built in 1950 and poured its fi rst drinks (offi cially) in 1951, back when this stretch of West Colfax was just unincorporated Jeffer- son County. Lakewood became a city in 1969, and the Grill was there for that, too. Through the years and various owners, the Lakewood Grill has remained a consistent hangout, welcoming neighbors and passersby alike. Lion’s Lair Lounge 2022 East Colfax Avenue lionslairco.com This address has long housed an indepen- dent venue — the Aladdin Tavern in the ’30s, then the Playboy Lounge until Hugh Hefner paid its then-owner $5,000 to change the name. In 1967, the club was purchased by John Lyons, who transformed it into the Lion’s Lair. Its current owners are keeping the bar’s legacy alive; it’s one of the best places in town to sip cheap drinks and see live entertainment. This is a living piece of Colfax history that we hope never changes. Meadowlark Bar 2701 Larimer Street meadowlarkbar.com To fi nd this hidden basement bar amid the hustle and bustle of Larimer Street, patrons must go down a steep, narrow staircase that’s often cramped with people, making for a tricky trek if you’re tipsy. But you’ll be rewarded for the effort by a place that’s been a go-to RiNo hangout for nearly two decades, fi lled with laughter, karaoke and killer tunes. My Brother’s Bar 2376 15th Street mybrothersbar.com Yes, My Brother’s Bar has a fascinating his- tory: The building has housed a bar since the 1870s; Beat inspiration Neal Cassady hung out here when it was Paul’s Place; as My Brother’s Bar, it’s survived with no TVs while playing classical music and serving as a neighborhood joint for the whole city. But the most inter- esting chapter is the current one: After four decades, a longtime employee and her family bought the place from owner Jim Karagas, vowing to keep My Brother’s Bar going. And the Newmans have, without sacrifi cing any of that historic charm — or changing the con- diment caddies that accompany the beloved parchment-wrapped burgers. Nob Hill Inn 420 East Colfax Avenue This address has held a drinker’s paradise since 1937; it became known as the Nob Hill Inn seventy years ago. It’s the kind of joint where it’s easy to lose track of time... for decades. The square-shaped bar makes for easy people-watching, and with some of Colfax’s fi nest camping out here, it’s usually entertaining as hell. If Bukowski were still alive, this might be his idea of nirvana. Pete’s Satire Lounge 1920 East Colfax Avenue petesrestaurants.com Pete Contos, the late Greek restaurant mag- nate, purchased the Satire over sixty years ago. From its classic neon sign to its legend- ary history (Bob Dylan and the Smothers Brothers both performed here), this spot is old Denver through and through, even fol- lowing a recent update and remodel headed up by Contos’s grandson Alex Barakos. The Satire is a straight-ahead saloon that doesn’t put on airs or follow trends, and the off-kilter assortment of characters who work and drink here wouldn’t have it any other way. PS Lounge 3416 East Colfax Avenue The PS Lounge is a throwback like no other. The cash-only bar still looks and feels straight out of the ’80s, which is when it opened. Owner Pete Siahamis calls it a “girls’ bar” and makes sure every woman who crosses the threshold gets a single rose and a syrupy- sweet Alabama Slammer shot. This is a go-to pre-game location for people getting ready to hit other Colfax bars or heading to the Bluebird for a show. But the PS Lounge is also the perfect spot for a long chat with old friends — and a good place to make new ones. R&R Lounge 4958 East Colfax Avenue This location has been a bar since the 1950s, when it was known as the Coral Lounge and was considered a “mixed” bar, which is basi- cally what people called an incognito gay bar back then. In the ’70s, the bar was renamed the R&R Lounge, which stood for Rick and Roger, the owners at the time. That’s also when the bar became out and proud. Now it has everything a discerning drunk looks for in a Colfax hole-in-the-wall: cheap drinks, weirdos, a certain level of interior deterio- ration, and a gleaming neon sign complete with martini glass. Sputnik 3 South Broadway sputnikdenver.com Corn dogs, vegan eats and cheap drinks have made this bar with mid-century vibes a Baker neighborhood favorite since 2003. Located next door to one of the area’s best places for live local music, the hi-dive, it’s the ideal spot to soak up the raucous punk vibes of Broadway — and it will remain just that after being taken over by new owners, who are also former employees. Spencer Madison and Joe Phillips, who also owns Fellow Traveler, are committed to keeping Sputnik a rough-edged refuge among recent, more corporate additions to the area. The Thin Man 2015 East 17th Avenue The Thin Man emanates a strong gravita- tional pull from its location on a darkened string of blocks between Colfax, Uptown and City Park, drawing in drinkers from near and far. Owner Eric Alstad, who is Greek Ortho- dox, got his priest’s blessing before opening the joint in 2001 and covered the walls of the narrow space with Christian icons. These days, the patrons are as eclectic as the decor — and just as entertaining. Praise Jesus! COCKTAIL HOT SPOTS The bars that are mixing up the best boozy concoctions. Adrift 218 South Broadway adriftbar.com Between the ’60s and the ’80s, Denver had a fairly vital tiki scene, thanks to Trader Vic’s and Don the Beachcomber. But after that, the city’s tiki action was largely extinguished — until Adrift turned a 2,200-square-foot space into an island retreat in 2012. While a few other tiki spots have opened since then, Adrift’s dedication to Polynesian kitsch has never waned. Paying homage to the thatch- roofed hooch huts of yore, it specializes in modern and classic tiki cocktails as well as Prohibition-era tropical drinks and tasty tropical tidbits. The Block Distilling Co. 2990 Larimer Street theblockdistillingco.com/home Everything feels right when you visit the tasting room at this RiNo distillery. That’s because it’s focused on doing things the right way, from how it sources ingredients and crafts its spirits to its sustainability practices and commitment to giving back through a partnership with Na- Drink Here continued from page 8 Cheap drinks and live music rule at the Lion’s Lair. MOLLY MARTIN continued on page 12
