15 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Loaded tots, great green chile and outrageous metal-inspired specials keep bellies full, the better to soak up rounds of unpretentious drinks, pickle shots and Colorado beers. This poodle’s bite is as good as its bark. The Crypt 1618 East 17th Avenue thecryptdenver.com Metal, mostly meat-free food (along with a damn good meaty burger) and a reverence for death are all on full display at this spot founded by longtime Tooey’s employee Pris- cilla Jerez and business partners Chris May- nard and Dale Canino in 2022. A destination for live music and late-night revelry, it has a smoking patio out front that’s often fi lled with people trading stories (and lighters) under the moonlight. Inside, you’re highly likely to run into at least a few old friends while grabbing a cocktail from one of two bars. The Devil’s Drink 3330 Mariposa Street thedevilsdrinkbar.com When Rock N Lobster Roll founder Andrew Harris and bar maven Alisha Taylor opened the Devil’s Drink in a small space below the 25-room Kasa Comma hotel in LoHi, they described it as an “underworld speakeasy” with dark, moody vibes, red lighting and devilish design touches. If you’re ready to dance with the devil in the pale moonlight, do it here with a cocktail or craft beer in hand. Dew Drop Inn 1033 East 17th Avenue dewdropinndenver.com This Uptown bar from the women-owned group behind such hits as the Horseshoe Lounge, the Embassy Tavern and more has aesthetically pleasing design details like tiger-print wallpaper. The easy-sipping cock- tails are even more pleasing. Stop in for one of two happy hours, or snag a shot and a beer at any time of day for just $9. Dive Inn 1380 South Broadway diveinndenver.com The Dive Inn has made its mark since taking over the BJ’s Carousel space in 2012. The decor — which includes an actual motorboat for seating — adds to the upbeat spirit of this Platt Park neighborhood joint. In 2024, new owners took over the bar and gave it some big upgrades, expanding the outdoor area, adding more nautical touches and games — but keeping the dive-like prices and vibes. Embassy Tavern 3463 Larimer Street This bar on a prime corner spot in RiNo is located in a building that started life a cen- tury ago as a drugstore, then housed various incarnations before it became Phil’s Place in 2002. In 2018, it was taken over by a group of bar pros who changed the name but kept its spirit intact, offering a low-key respite from the trendy neighborhood outside, complete with pinball machines, a spacious, smoker- friendly back patio and a giant moose head overseeing the action at the bar. Englewood Grand 3435 South Broadway, Englewood Phil and Erika Zierke opened an instant classic when they invited guests into the Englewood Grand in 2016. You won’t fi nd any long-winded menus, fussy small plates or a chemist’s closet of beakers and dropper bottles to confound you. Instead, it’s just a straightforward bar where you can order your drink of choice and soak in the friendly atmosphere cultivated by the community of patrons who appreciate the low-key Englewood mainstay. Fellow Traveler 3487 South Broadway, Englewood ftbar.com Irreverent. International. Eclectic. Fellow Traveler’s drink menu mirrors the Engle- wood bar’s panache for quality and quirky vegan fare. Owner Joe Phillips, who recently became co-owner of his former employer, Sputnik, has a passion for housemade spir- its — including his own version of Malört, the Chicago wormwood digestif with a cult following. You can opt for a Malört fl ight or any one of the selections from the “Strange Cargo” lineup, which range from Blue Flower Baijiu, a Chinese sorghum spirit, to Zwack, a Hungarian digestif. Gold Point 3126 Larimer Street goldpointdenver.com In 2019, Bar Fausto became Gold Point under new owners, a group that’s also behind the Squire Lounge, the Matchbox and the 715 Club. The space includes comfy couches in a front lounge area and a large patio com- plete with a van that’s been converted to an outdoor bar. While Gold Point specializes in craft cocktails, you can follow those up with a High Life or White Claw, making this an ideal spot for a date night or a long hang with friends that ends with late-night food from Caddywampus Comfort Foods, which operates out of the bar’s kitchen. Hello Darling 1610 Little Raven Street 720-541-8023 3484 West 32nd Avenue hellodarling.cafe This bright, plant-fi lled space in Riverfront Park is the perfect place to meet friends for coffee and conversation by day and for cocktails and relaxation by night. The cocktail options are continued on page 16
