16 NOVEMBER 21-27, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | divided by spirit type, so it’s easy to decide what to order, whether it’s a whiskey night (go for the Old Fashioned) or you’re a gin fan (a G&T with housemade citrus tonic never disappoints). In the summer of 2024, Hello Darling added an equally charming, pastel-hued second location in the West Highland neighborhood. The Marigold 2721 Welton Street marigolddenver.com After more than two years of delays, local bar pro Sudhir Kudva and his entourage of investors debuted this combo bar and plant shop in Five Points in 2023. Brightly colored fl oral murals provide a backdrop to plenty of greenery in the space, where you can pick up a new succulent or philodendron after imbibing gin-spiked cocktails. The Matchbox 2625 Larimer Street matchboxdenver.com This bar’s name was inspired partly by a fi re that gutted the space in 2009, and partly by the fact that it’s long and narrow like a matchbox. While the neighborhood has changed a lot since it opened in 2011, the Matchbox has remained a reliable place to score infused shots, cheap (in the best way) drink deals and sometimes rowdy crowds (especially during Taking Back Mondays). Walls decked out with local art, a large smoker-friendly patio and a no-bullshit attitude cement the bar’s place as one of the best spots to catch a buzz in RiNo. Middleman 3401 East Colfax Avenue middlemanbar.com Middleman is the epitome of new-school cool on Colfax. The bar staffers are some of the best in town, and they’re not afraid to get playful with both their service and their cocktails. But you’ll be equally satisfi ed if you prefer to sip on a cold Montucky or pound beer-and- shot combos. Making this stop even better is Misfi t Snackbar, which recently returned to the kitchen after a brief hiatus and serves some of the most creative and delicious eats in town, plus a damn fi ne menu staple: chef Bo Porytko’s My Fucking Burger. The Monkey Barrel 4401 Tejon Street monkeybarrelbar.com Jimmy Nigg took over the former Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop space on Platte Street in 2013 and transformed it into the Monkey Barrel, which relocated to Tejon Street in 2016 after its former home was sold. The bar decor includes a Wreck-It Ralph-themed liquor shelf, and each booth is outfi tted with Nintendo 64 gaming consoles; there are also a dozen pinball machines. Don’t miss the food, though: The kitchen has some stellar deals, including a cheeseburger and fries for under $10. Neighbors 2202 Kearney Street neighborsparkhill.com To fi nd a cafe that offers nearly thirty wines by the glass is always rewarding. To fi nd those offerings in the congenial and homey locale that is Neighbors is nothing short of wonder- ful. This Park Hill cafe opened in 2011 and has been embraced not only by the neighborhood, but by diners from all over town looking for a well-curated and unusual wine list. The beer list is smaller but equally interesting, the cocktails are on point, and there’s a good selection of small plates and charcuterie. Neighbors is as crowd-pleasing as it is comfy. No Name Bar 2043 South University Boulevard Phil and Erika Zierke, the owners of Englewood Grand, know how to create a neighborhood staple — and that’s exactly what they did (again) in 2022, when they opened a welcoming wa- tering hole near DU that has everything but a name. You’re likely to fi nd Phil behind the bar at one of his two spots, and he’s skilled at both bar banter and shaking up any classic cocktail you’re craving. Since no one should drink on an empty stomach, this bar also serves BYOB — that’s bring your own (meat)balls or bread — spaghetti with house red sauce, and it’s an all-you-can-eat deal on Sunday and Monday. Noble Riot 1336 27th Street nobleriot.com Noble Riot, which opened in 2019, is a different kind of wine bar. The decor includes candles dutifully lit each day by its wonderful staff, along with some of the most stunning maps you’ll ever see showing where wine comes from. And it has plenty of wine to offer, whether you’re up for trying something new or want a great glass of your favorite grape. Patrons can also enjoy some of the best fried chicken in the city, which pairs nicely with bubbles. Occidental 1950 West 32nd Avenue occidentalbar.com When owner Sean Kenyon grabbed the ad- dress next to award-winning speakeasy Wil- liams & Graham in order to create a more casual bar, he wondered if Occidental would mostly function as a waiting room for its sib- ling. But this bar has created an identity and a following all its own. Occidental’s punk-rock vibe and open seating have made it a neigh- borhood mainstay, a casual place to get an excellent cocktail or a beer without pretense. The Owl Saloon 5026 East Colfax Avenue theowlsaloon.com The Owl is packed with treasures, from license plates to old maps that sit under the bartop glass to a sign from the former Sid King’s strip club. Look up and you’ll see a collection of dollar bills, à la the currently-closed-for- renovations Bucksnort Saloon in Pine. Settle in for a mystery shot, a cold beer and bar grub from a lineup that includes loaded tots, sand- wiches and pizza. The bar also hosts rowdy karaoke nights on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Pony Up 1808 Blake Street ponyupdenver.com Pony Up’s incredible staff and surprising cock- tails make it well worth a trip to LoDo. The neon signs, French bulldog art and references to The Outsiders only add to the ambience at this bar, which is particularly popular with those in the hospitality industry, thanks to its late-night food menu that includes stellar French dips. The Get Crazy & Pony Up shot showcases everything great about this spot, with George Dickel Tennessee Whisky and an au jus chaser that somehow work perfectly together. We’ll never stop saddling up. Rino Country Club 3763 Wynkoop Street rinocc.com There are a few reasons that this bar has become one of our favorite spots to pre- game for shows at Mission Ballroom since it opened in 2022. First, it has some solid drink specials, making it way more affordable than ordering booze at the music venue. It’s also home to a nine-hole mini golf course, and lifetime memberships are available for just $10. Plus, you can grub at Dalton’s, the walk-up window that slings one of the best burgers in town along with Eagles game-day specials during football season that include a cheesesteak, roast pork hoagie with broccoli rabe and crab fries. Stoney’s Bar and Grill 1111 Lincoln Street stoneysbarandgrill.com While there’s a Stoney’s outpost in Uptown, the original is one of our favorite places on game days — or any day. The sprawling space can accommodate big crowds, and there’s plenty of room to belly up to one of the two bars, where you can order Colorado beers on tap. In the front of the house is a ski-lift chair from Keystone, which is fi tting, since Stoney’s is an ode to all things Centennial State. There’s also a stage for live music, Skee-Ball, a weird miniature bowling alley and solid pub grub, in- cluding a version of that green chile-covered Pueblo staple, the Slopper. Sunday Vinyl 1803 16th Street sundayvinyl.com This Union Station spot with food from James Beard-nominated chef Cody Cheetham is inspired by Frasca co-founder and master sommelier Bobby Stuckey’s ideal Sunday evening — but instead of spinning vinyl records and opening a great bottle of wine at home, as he’s been known to do on Instagram, he’s throwing a lively party downtown. The place is bathed in music and has a celebratory vibe, but what sets it apart is the distinct, creative and just plain fun programming, including Wednesday fl ight nights, which pair vino with tunes from a wide range of artists, from Billie Eilish to Jimi Hendrix. Tight End 1501 East Colfax Avenue tightendbar.com At Denver’s fi rst gay sports bar, you can watch the game on nine televisions or sip a boozy beverage on the sound-equipped patio…and enjoy a safe space to take in all sports. The drink list has all your sports-bar favorites, such as beer — lots of beer — shots of liquor and simple mixed drinks. On quiet nights when there aren’t any big games, Tight End hosts karaoke and drag bingo, which to some are the greatest sports of all. TrashHawk Tavern 1539 South Broadway trashhawktavern.com Beer-and-shot combos, Montucky cans and Malört are on the menu at TrashHawk Tavern, which opened in October 2021 but feels much older thanks to the ever-growing collections of memorabilia on the walls and contributions of regulars who have embraced the place as their own. From cribbage tournaments to visits from actual hawks on the patio, there’s nearly always some kind of fun to be had here, even if it’s simply conversations with strangers over a cigarette on the back patio. Stay trashy. Vesper Lounge 233 East Seventh Avenue bonannoconcepts.com/restaurant/ vesper-lounge In the fall of 2012, restaurateur Frank Bonanno took over one of the town’s most notorious watering holes: the Lancer Lounge, located right between Mizuna, the fl agship of Bonanno Concepts, and the current location of Salita. At the Vesper, there’s no fuss over housemade bitters, no two-hour wait, no specially chipped ice — just reasonably priced drinks and some very good snacks with a Middle Eastern fl avor. Not to mention good company: This may not be the Lancer, but it’s defi nitely proven to be a solid neighborhood bar. Wyman’s No. 5 2033 East 13th Avenue wymansno5.com A self-proclaimed “Chicago” bar, Wyman’s No. 5 has all the trim- Drink Here continued from page 15 continued on page 18 TrashHawk is trashy in all the best ways. MOLLY MARTIN
