14 NOVEMBER 24-30, 2022 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | The Castle Bar & Grill 6657 South Broadway, Littleton 303-798-5981 castlebarandgrill.co Inside a building shaped like (unsurprisingly) a castle is one of the friendliest bars in metro Denver. The vibe is relaxing and unpreten- tious, as are the patrons. Snag a 20-ounce personalized mug for $20, good for a lifetime of 20-ounce pours for 16-ounce prices (enjoy them at the sunken bar). The fare is simple but tasty, with budget food specials such as 75-cent wings every Thursday and buy-one- get-one-half-off burgers (among the best in town) on Tuesdays. With karaoke, bingo, trivia and chatty regulars of all stripes, you’ll never be bored when you storm the Castle. Charlie Brown’s 980 Grant Street 303-860-1655 charliebrownsbarandgrill.com Colorful characters from Denver’s past are rumored to have bellied up to the bar at Charlie Brown’s, which has been open since Prohibition ended. A sprawling spot fi lled with the music of nightly piano sing-alongs, it lives up to its slogan: “Something for everyone.” Couples, friends, tourists, young professionals, senior citizens, college kids and even celebrities enjoy the stiff drinks, huge food menu, enclosed smoking patio and free drinks for revelers celebrating their birthdays. Here’s hoping the drinks will fl ow long into the future at this Denver landmark. Charlie’s 900 East Colfax Avenue 303-839-8890 charliesdenver.com Sometimes Colfax Avenue is so idiosyncratic that it risks becoming a caricature of itself. For evidence, look no further than Charlie’s, Colfax’s big, gay cowboy bar. Gaze upon the cowboy-boot disco ball that spins and glistens from the ceiling. Don’t miss the translucent machine that blows money (or whatever else) around as dancers — also spinning and glistening — put on a show within. And look to the stage and dance fl oor for drag queens, bikers and bears. Oh, my. Charlie’s truly shines in its inclusiveness. Chopper’s Sports Grill 80 South Madison Street 303-399-4448 chopperssportsgrill.com Named for Bob “Chopper” Travaglini, the late beloved Denver Nuggets trainer, Chopper’s is a holdout from the Cherry Creek neighbor- hood’s less tony times. Sports memorabilia and TVs hang in every nook and cranny — bath- rooms included — and the grub keeps sports fans fed with bites slightly above standard bar fare. The Tavern Hospitality Group took over the space in 2015, giving an upgrade to the menu and other amenities, but Chopper’s has remained just right for rooting for the home team or catching a game from your alma mater. The Cooper Lounge 1701 Wynkoop Street 720-460-3738 cooperlounge.com When Union Station was renovated, the mezzanine was turned into one of the most enchanting bars in town: the Cooper Lounge. With its elegant seating areas and long bar fronted by comfortable stools, it’s a great place to meet up with friends from out of town. But it’s also become something of a fa- vorite with locals, particularly on full-moon nights, when you can sit on a barstool sipping a martini and look over 17th Street bathed in moonlight. The view is magical. And you might need to be a magician to secure a spot here; there’s sometimes a two-hour wait. When you know in advance the night will be special — or just hope it will turn out that way — make a reservation. The Cruise Room 1600 17th Street 303-628-5400 The Oxford Hotel echoes with Denver his- tory, back to the days when Bat Masterson relieved himself in the giant urinals in the basement bathrooms. The Cruise Room boasts slightly more recent history: As Pro- hibition ended, it was designed to look like the lounge on the Queen Mary (hence the name), then got a quick remodel a decade later when the frieze with Hitler’s face — one of a dozen international toasts circling the walls of the bar — was deemed politically in- correct. 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 pink light and down classic martinis. The Crypt 1618 East 17th Avenue 720-542-9543 thecryptdenver.com For a decade, Priscilla Jerez worked at Tooey’s Off Colfax, a haven for those look- ing for drinks and camaraderie with a side of punk spirit after a long shift. Now, along with business partners Chris Maynard and Dale Canino, she’s re-created that atmosphere of late-night revelry at the Crypt, where the smoking patio out front is 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 or vegan late-night bite. Dark Horse 2922 Baseline Road, Boulder 303-442-8162 darkhorsebar.com Locals and tourists alike have fl ocked to this Boulder institution — a huge yet divey space fi lled with kitschy items, antiques and movie props — since it opened its doors in 1975. There are plenty of distrac- tions, from karaoke to live music to games showing on one of eleven HDTVs or on the projection TV in the back bar. And the wacky decor (including men’s and ladies’ room signs designed to confuse the inattentive) is a sure conversation-starter. The burgers are the thing to order here: If you feel adventurous, try the Jiffy Burger (peanut butter, bacon and provolone); if you’re a little more cautious, go for the Avocado Burger (avocado, green chiles, sour cream and pepper Jack). Death & Co 1280 25th Street 720-330-2660 deathandcompany.com Settle into the opulence of the Ramble Hotel while sipping a cleverly crafted cocktail at the bar or in a cushy lounge seat at Death & Co., a concept that debuted in New York City and planted a second fl ag in Denver in 2018. At the nearby hotel counter, travelers check in, eager for a night in one of Denver’s most vibrant neighborhoods, but you’re not going anywhere: You’ve already arrived. Deviation Distilling 1821 Blake Street 720-645-1539 deviationdistilling.com Gin and tonic lovers should fl ock to this two-level Dairy Block cocktail lounge where the G&T reigns supreme and is of- fered in a variety of iterations. The former 1800s fi rehouse has been transformed into a dreamy place to imbibe, right in the middle of one of Denver’s most vibrant areas for food and drinks. Sit under the bottle light display downstairs or head to the more intimate second fl oor, where you can gather with friends around a table and discuss all the reasons you love Denver’s only gin- focused distillery. Dew Drop Inn 1033 East 17th Avenue 720-612-4160 dewdropinndenver.com Although it only opened in May 2021, the Dew Drop Inn already feels like a longtime neighborhood mainstay. That’s because it comes from a team of longtime bar pros — the same women behind such staples as the Horseshoe Tavern and Embassy Tavern, among others. On cold days, the inside is a lively yet cozy respite from the snow; a large patio out front is ideal for summer sipping. Cocktails range from classics to new creations, there are two happy hours daily, and you can get a beer-and-shot combo for $8 anytime. All that is bolstered by the food from Fush, a man who worked at the iconic Falling Rock Tap House for 22 years until it closed. Here he’s getting the chance to let his culinary talents shine with big bowls of mussels in spicy red curry, crispy Japanese-style fried chicken and much more. Dimestore Delibar 1575 Boulder Street 303-537-5323 dimestoredelibar.com With antiques and oddities strewn through- out, an aisle of pantry staples and fun fi nds like Pocky sticks and hot sauces, as well as an appealing menu that includes “dimeroll” rolled sandwiches, Dimestore Delibar isn’t just a bar, by any means. But the cocktails alone make it a standout, whether you’re hungry or not. Chef/co-owner Tim Dotson was formerly the chef at the Family Jones, so many of the drinks use that distillery’s spirits. One of the best ways to sip here: Enjoy a housemade shrub soda spiked with the booze of your choice while sitting on one of two patios. The Dirty Duck Bar 4780 East Evans Avenue 303-758-3667 the-dirty-duck-bar.business.site From the looks of this friendly neighborhood dive that survived a fi re in 2016, it’s hard to imagine the place having anything to do with Shakespeare. But the bar’s name was actually inspired by a pub in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s old stamping ground. It’s a far cry from a traditional pub — Denver’s Dirty Duck is more of a low-key sports bar that serves cheap drinks, has Guinness on tap and offers a number of weekly specials. With a slightly older crowd, it’s a nice alternative to the DU bars farther west on Evans Avenue when you’re looking for a low-key place to sip the hours away. The Dive Inn 1380 South Broadway 720-242-6157 diveinndenver.com The Dive Inn has defi nitely made its mark on Platt Park since taking over the BJ’s Carousel space in 2012. The decor — which includes an actual motorboat as seating — adds to the upbeat spirit of this neighborhood joint. Dogs love the patio, the bar stocks 99 types of tequila, and drink specials are all-day affairs. With activities ranging from ping-pong and pool to cornhole leagues, there’s never a dull moment at this casual spot. Drink Here continued from page 12 Take the stairs down to Meadowlark. EVAN SEMÓN continued on page 16
