18 NOVEMBER 23-29, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | hosts karaoke and offers day drinking (aka brunch) on weekends. Pete’s Satire Lounge 1920 East Colfax Avenue 303-322-2227 petesrestaurants.com/satire-lounge No list of essential Mile High haunts would be complete without a location founded by Pete Contos, the late Greek restaurant magnate. He purchased the Satire sixty years ago, and from its classic neon sign on Colfax to its legendary history (Bob Dylan and the Smothers Brothers both performed here), the Satire Lounge is old Denver through and through, even follow- ing 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. Pony Up 1808 Blake Street 720-710-8144 ponyupdenver.com Pony Up’s incred- ible staff and sur- prising cocktails make it well worth a trip to LoDo. The neon signs, French bulldog art and references to The Outsiders only add to the perfection at this bar, which is particularly popu- lar with those in the hospitality industry, thanks to its late-night food menu that in- cludes stellar French dips. The Get Crazy & Pony Up shot showcases everything great about this spot, with George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey and an au jus chaser that somehow work perfectly together. We’ll never stop saddling up. PS Lounge 3416 East Colfax Avenue 303-320-1200 facebook.com/psloungedenver 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 Slam- mer shot. It’s a go-to pre-game location for people getting ready to hit the 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 303-320-9337 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 basically 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 deterioration and a gleaming neon sign complete with martini glass. Rino Country Club 3763 Wynkoop Street instagram.com/rino.countryclub There are a few reasons why this bar has quickly become one of our favorite spots to pre-game for shows at the Mission Ballroom since it opened in May 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 member- ships 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, a completely crushable meal that you’ll be thinking about long after. Room for Milly 1615 Platte Street 720-630-7020 roomformilly.com Make some room in your life to sample cocktails based on the fi ctional exploits of Milly Parker in this lusciously decorated bar decked out in deep colors and intriguing artwork. Room for Milly has some of the best bathrooms in the Denver bar scene, with soap you might just be tempted to buy. The drinks are as swoon-worthy as the decor, and there’s a selection of small bites that are just right for snacking before heading out on the town. Roxy on Broadway 554 South Broadway 720-456-7041 broadwayroxy.com The music never really stopped when Syn- tax Physic Opera transitioned to the Roxy on Broadway under new ownership in the summer of 2019. Owner Paula Vrakas brightened up the space and added a slate of reasonably priced, retro-inspired clas- sic cocktails to accompany variety shows, comedy, open-mic nights and plenty of live music. Go early if you prefer a tranquil setting, or stay for the entertainment if you need a joyous night out. Run for the Roses 1801 Blake Street 720-573-9155 rftrbar.com In this subterranean Dairy Block spot, the cocktail roster presented as a deck of cards, the “parlor snacks” and the rows of encyclopedias behind the bar could come across as a little too precious. But owner Steven Waters brings it all together with equal parts fun and sophistication. Find your way into the bar (it’s not a speakeasy; it’s just hard to locate) using the elevator inside Free Market, then peruse the deck for your favorite drink — or just draw blindly for a surprise. The Sink 1165 13th Street, Boulder 303-444-7465 thesink.com After 100 years and multiple changes, the Sink remains one of Boulder’s most quirky and popular taverns, as much for the good deals on booze as for the famous Sink Burger (which fi rst appeared on the menu in the 1950s) and “ugly crust” pizza. History is scrawled across the ceiling and walls in the form of customer autographs and Beat-era paintings. Barack Obama stopped in during his presidency, and Robert Redford was a janitor here for a year before he ever hit the silver screen. Over the decades, the Sink has helped shape Boulder’s image into what it is today. Stadium Inn 1701 East Evans Avenue 303-733-4031 The “Shade-ium,” as it’s known to most who have crossed its stoop, lives up to its nickname. Even though it’s now in the hands of the Little Pub crew, it remains old-school. Questionable characters and drinks cheap enough to encourage dan- gerous levels of inebriation are the name of the game here. Its proximity to the University of Denver draws plenty of stu- dents when school is in session, and they get plenty of life lessons at the Stadium — namely, the character, feel and benefi ts of a bona fi de dive. Stem Ciders 3040 Blake Street 720-443-3007 stemciders.com The city’s cider scene has grown a lot in recent years, but Stem continues to be a leader in in- novation. In December 2022, it celebrated the grand opening of its new RiNo taproom, which boasts more space than its original home and a full food menu. Enjoy a fl ight of ciders that range from fruity to dry while snacking on some bison short rib poutine, or pick up a growler to go and be satisfi ed for a week. The Stockroom 5713 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada thestockroomparty.com In the back of Spirits Wine Provisions in Olde Town Arvada is a door to an old stockroom. While it may say it’s for staff only, those who enter will be rewarded not with a job, but with access to a ritzy speakeasy with a list of classic cocktails as well as twists on the standards. Not sure what you’d like? Chat up the bartender and get a personalized recommendation. Stockyard Saloon 4710 National Western Drive 303-298-0525 denverstockyardsaloon.com During the annual National Western Stock Show, the Stockyard Saloon — located in a historic building in the heart of the old pack- inghouse district — is the hottest place in town. But this watering hole is worth a visit the rest of the year, too. The second-floor space offers an interesting view of the rapidly evolving neighbor- hood as the National Western complex is transformed, and the view inside is usually pretty interesting, too, since cowboys are often rubbing elbows with realtors checking out the area. Stoney’s Bar & Grill 1111 Lincoln Street 303-830-6839 stoneysbarandgrill. com While there’s also a Stoney’s outpost in Uptown, the original is one of our favorite places on game days — or any day. The sprawling bar can accommodate big crowds, and there’s plenty of room to belly up to one of the two bars as well, 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 and a weird miniature bowling alley. The Tatarian 4024 Tennyson Street 303-416-4496 thetatarian.com The Tatarian, which comes from the own- ers of another cocktail heavy hitter, Union Lodge No. 1, is an homage to the Berkeley neighborhood’s past, Drink Here continued from page 16 continued on page 20 The Sink in Boulder celebrated 100 years in 2023. Stem moved into a new, much larger RiNo space in 2022. COURTESY OF STEM CIDERS COURTESY OF THE SINK
