8 NOVEMBER 23-29, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | the quarter machine, try to up your score over some Tecates, and keep the change, ya fi lthy animal. You’ll be surprised at how little you spent. 715 Club 715 East 26th Avenue 303-295-8927 715club.com In 2016, bar pros Corey Costello, Sudhir Kudva and Michael Reilly resurrected this long-vacant Five Points joint that was origi- nally owned by Charles Cousins. The 715 was in its prime in the 1940s, and closed in the ’80s after becoming a run-down shell of its former glorious self. Now it’s an appropriately divey neighborhood bar that often draws a more lively crowd when there are shows at Cervantes’ across the street. The patio also doubles as a pickup window for one of the city’s best slices, at Famous Original J’s. Ay Papi 248 Detroit Street aypapidenver.com The Culinary Cre- ative Group is a pow- erhouse in the local dining scene, and in 2021, it got into the bar game with For- get Me Not, creat- ing a buzzy vibe in a neighborhood that’s not really known for nightlife. Ay Papi, which opened in June 2023, upped the game even more for Cherry Creek with its Latin-inspired atmosphere, rum-heavy drink list and bites like ceviche and Cuban sandwiches. Bar Nun 1225 Logan Street 720-532-0757 barnundenver.com The former Capitol Hill Tavern was resur- rected in 2020 when Bar Nun opened in that space, with irreverent decor (think a painting of Jesus with Juggalo face paint and plenty of nun imagery) and a friendly staff that will make you feel like a regular immediately. Whether you’re pounding pickle shots on the enclosed patio or pairing a cold beer with hot wings and pizza at the bar, this spot is a casually cool addition to the neighborhood. Beacon 2854 Larimer Street be.thebeacon.co In early 2022, Robert Champion and Mario Nocifera debuted a dance bar/immersive venue inspired by Tulum and Burning Man in the heart of RiNo, and it’s become a late- night haven. The space includes several hubs created by a core crew of a dozen local artists, including a beehive-themed geodesic dome, a garden-like outdoor space, and a bar enveloped in vines and forestry. In 2024, the duo hopes to replicate the magic with a second art-fueled venture in RiNo that will be geared more toward daytime crowds. Bierstadt Lagerhaus 2875 Blake Street 720-821-1571 bierstadtlager.com Ashleigh Carter and Bill Eye opened this brewery in 2016. It specializes in lager beers, including three core brews: its helles, its dunkel and — perhaps the most lauded beer in Colorado — its Slow Pour Pils. But beyond Bierstadt’s propensity for making some of the best craft beers in the state, it’s also housed in an expansive space that regularly hosts large events, pop-ups, games and trivia, while also offering plenty of corners to tuck into for an intimate experience. The Block Distilling Co. 2990 Larimer Street 303-484-9033 theblockdistillingco.com Everything just 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 Nathaniel Rateliff’s non- profi t, the Marigold Project. Plus, the bar- tenders here know how to have fun with a cocktail, whether you’re sipping a gin-based concoction spiked with bouillon or a whiskey libation fl avored with sweet corn. Boombox Brew Bar 5686 Pecos Street 303-862-5387 boomboxbrewbar.com For a decade, Northsider Luke Sandoval was a truck driver, delivering booze for a local liquor and wine distribution company and dreaming about being on the other side of the business. In 2022, he brought that vision to life with this neighborhood bar outfi tted with a pour-your-own beer wall, solid pub fare, brightly colored street-art murals and a high-energy playlist stacked with ’80s and ’90s hip-hop and R&B. Boombox also hosts weekly events including karaoke and music trivia nights. Brewability 3445 South Broadway, Englewood 303-598-0809 brew-ability.com Brewability, which employs adults with in- tellectual and developmental disabilities to brew and serve beer, got its start in 2016 and moved into its current home three years later, adding a food menu that includes pizza and mac and cheese. The brewery’s commitment to supporting its employees is impressive, and easy to admire while hanging out in a welcoming space that includes both indoor and outdoor seating as well as fun events like Tarot Thursdays. Brewery Bar II 150 Kalamath Street 303-893-0971 brewerybars.com The original Brewery Bar opened in the old Tivoli brewery and moved to its Kala- math location while Nixon was still in offi ce (hence the II in the name). The bar is decked out with sports memorabilia and is host to a crew of regulars who gather not only for the strong pours and camaraderie, but also for the classic Den-Mex cuisine, including a spicy and tomato-heavy green chile that’s one of the best in town, especially when smothering an order of crispy chiles rellenos. The British Bulldog 2052 Stout Street 303-295-7974 britishbulldogdenver.com The Bulldog’s dark and shadowy space actu- ally looks and feels like an Old English pub — not a nightclub or a cocktail lounge or a fern bar or even the Punch Bowl, which once occupied this spot. It’s a double-barreled shot- gun of a room, with the long oak bar on one side and rickety, high-backed wooden booths on the other that are devilishly uncomfortable until you get a couple of drinks in you. Out front, there’s a covered patio just big enough for six smokers to stand without bumping elbows. From the kitchen comes a variety of simple pub dishes, livened up here and there with hints of Indian and Pakistani cuisine. The Brutal Poodle 1967 South Broadway 720-379-6281 brutalpoodledenver.com How do poodles and heavy metal mesh? The unlikely combo somehow works at the Brutal Poodle, opened in early 2018 by Wes Moralez, Ryan Oakes and David “Yosh” Yoshikawa, members of Denver band Son Survivor. Beyond the goofy, dog-themed art on the walls and the (just loud enough) tracks pumping from the sound system, good food and a classic sunken bar beckon the faithful. Loaded tots, great green chile and outrageous metal-inspired specials keep bellies full, the better to soak up rounds of unpretentious drinks and Colorado beers. This poodle’s bite is as good as its bark. Bull & Bush 4700 East Cherry Creek South Drive, Glendale 303-759-0333 bullandbush.com Compared to its centuries-old brethren in the United Kingdom, the Bull & Bush Brew- ery is just a baby, but here in the New World, fi fty-plus years is a long time to stay in busi- ness. Step inside this dark and cozy English- style pub, though, and you’ll understand its staying power. Now run by second-genera- tion owners, “the pub you’ve been practicing for” (as the motto goes) serves a long menu of England-meets-Colorado comfort food, like French onion soup, bangers and mash, and green chile-smothered mashed potatoes, as well as both innovative and traditional house-brewed beers. There’s also a Scotch list to warm the cockles of your heart. BurnDown 476 South Broadway 720-899-3827 burndowndenver.com Originally constructed in the 1940s, Burn- Down’s building previously held a furniture store and a year-round Christmas shop. In May 2023, the space was resurrected as a multi- purpose venue, with an expansive first- fl oor dining room, a second-fl oor lounge where a small acous- tic stage is located, and a third indoor/ outdoor level with a rooftop deck and a hell of a view of downtown Denver and the entire Front Range. All levels look into a showstopping three-story atrium in the center of the building, where a fi re once left a gap- ing hole. Campus Lounge 701 South University Boulevard 720-379-5671 campusdenver.com Bonnie Brae is a neighborhood that’s seen a lot of changes in recent years, with the loss of the Bonnie Brae Tavern and the Saucy Noodle, but Campus Lounge remains — even after a number of ownership changes. It was founded by the late Jim Wiste (a retired pro hockey player and DU Pioneers alum) fi ve decades ago, and hockey fans still gather here on game days, drinking beer and enjoying classic bar fare done right, from the smoked wings to a Friday night steak special. Candlelight Tavern 383 South Pearl Street 303-778-9530 candlelighttavern.com The Candlelight Tavern is a friendly neigh- borhood bar, beloved Drink Here continued from page 7 continued on page 10 You can grab a slice of pizza on the patio at the 715 Club. Bierstadt is known for its Slow Pour Pils. MOLLY MARTIN MOLLY MARTIN
