22 NOVEMBER 24-30, 2022 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | the cocktails and champagne are big enough draws. That, and a roster of sandwiches that serve as an excellent base for just one more drink. “Thank you for a real good time,” reads the neon sign on the back wall of the bar, in a nod to the Grateful Dead. No, Pony Up, thank you. 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 basi- cally 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. Ralston Lounge 6420 Ward Road, Arvada 720-531-3114 howiesralstonlounge.com Tucked away in a strip mall off 64th Av- enue and Ward Road, the Ralston Lounge is a longtime Arvada fi xture. The no-frills neighborhood joint attracts a fair number of easygoing regulars to its early-morning happy hours, and with its nondescript fur- nishings, it seems like not a whole lot has changed here in the last few decades, which is a big part of the Ralston’s charm. Entertain- ment options include a jukebox, a few pool tables and pinball machines, and plenty of football and hockey watch parties. Recess Beer Garden 2715 17th Street 720-638-0020 recessbeergarden.com Shady trees, lots of outdoor seating and nearly every dog in the neighborhood: That’s what you’ll fi nd at Recess Beer Garden, one of the city’s top destinations for day drinking. As the name implies, the focus is on the Recess beer selection, but you can opt for cocktails and wine, too. The food menu is extensive, with everything from wings and dips to a long lineup of sandwiches, or pop into next-door sister concept fi eldTRIP for island-inspired grub like Spam musubi and loco moco. The Red Barber 3770 Walnut Street 720-707-4040 theredbarber.com Size does matter. Located on the roof of the new Catbird Hotel in RiNo, the Red Barber boasts (nearly) 360-degree views from its perch six stories above the city. And while there are many other rooftops in town with both city and mountain views, this one has 3,300 square feet of open, inviting space in which to sip cocktails, enjoy light bites and play a game of cornhole. Comfy couches are prime spots for lounging, or opt for the grassy picnic area or a spot near a fi re pit — there’s even amphitheater seating for live music performances. This is basically the ultimate backyard, in the sky, staffed with bartenders. The Retro Room 2034 Larimer Street 303-296-3352 theretroroomlounge.com Pickle shots (and plenty of other fl avored infusions) are what this LoDo bar is best known for. The comfy joint, which opened in 2008, has lots of space, exposed brick, darts, killer drink specials, and a menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, wraps and appetizers, along with patios in front and in back. It’s also connected to the Retro Room Salon, making it one of the only spots in town to get a facial and trim immediately followed by happy hour. Retrograde 530 East 19th Avenue 720-772-7843 retrogradednvr.com The crew at this space-themed speakeasy likes to get weird, which often results in the most memorable cocktails in town — some with ingredients like duck fat, soy sauce and caramel miso (it’s all fair game here). But fi rst you’ll have to stride through the Frozen Matter ice cream shop to the walk-in cooler without being distracted by the desserts or deterred by the fact that you’re stepping into a refrigerator. Once through, you’ll fi nd yourself in a dim room (don’t you dare try taking a photo using fl ash inside) with cult-classic movies playing on a screen and cocktails served from the mid-mod-style bar. 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. 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 inside that slings one of the best burgers in town, a completely crushable meal that you’ll be thinking about long after. Rocky Top Tavern 4907 Lowell Boulevard 303-477-0265 rockytopdenver.com The old Hill-Top Bar, just north of I-70, was one of the tiniest dives in town — but it had a big group of fans, and that small spot pro- duced a lot of memories. In early 2014, the bar was resurrected as the Rocky Top Tavern. The hardwood fl oors of the building, which has housed a bar for more than six decades, were restored, a new bar was built, the bath- rooms were remodeled, and a kitchen was added. Popular with both Regis University students and longtime Regis neighborhood residents, it’s a prime place to eat and drink on a budget thanks to rotating daily specials. Roxy on Broadway 554 South Broadway 720-456-7041 broadwayroxy.com The music never really stopped when Syntax Physic Opera transitioned to the Roxy on Broadway under new ownership in the sum- mer of 2019. Owner Paula Vrakas brightened up the space and added a slate of reasonably priced, retro-inspired classic cocktails to ac- company 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. Stadium Inn 1701 East Evans Avenue 303-733-4031 The “Shade-ium,” as it’s known to most who have traversed 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 dangerous levels of inebriation are the name of the game here. Its proximity to the University of Denver draws plenty of students 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. Star Bar 2137 Larimer Street 720-328-2420 thestarbardenver.com Star Bar was once one of the diviest of dive bars, where the carpet was sticky and the bathrooms icky. But a makeover in 2010 transformed the place in the same manner that the rest of the Ballpark neighborhood was transforming, turning a questionable saloon into a safe haven for craft beers and cocktails. The bar maintains some of its downscale charm, though, even if the clientele is now young and hip. But you’d have to wander blocks in any direction to fi nd anything else as casual, comfortable and lived-in. Stockyard Saloon 4710 National Western Drive 303-298-0525 denverstockyardsaloon.com During the annual National Western Stock Show, the Stockyard Saloon — located in a his- toric building in the heart of the old packing- house district — is the hottest place in town. But this watering hole is worth a visit the rest of the year, too. The second-fl oor space offers an interesting view of the surrounding neighborhood, and the view inside is usually pretty interesting, too, since cowboys are often rubbing elbows with realtors checking out the area. The burgers and Mexican fare are worthy, and the drinks are strong. Stoney’s Bar & Grill 1111 Lincoln Street 303-830-6839 stoneysbarandgrill.com The website boasts that it’s “a local kind of place,” and Stoney’s defi nitely qualifi es. With Colorado beers on tap, barn wood from Gunnison on the bar and a ski-lift chair from Keystone in the front of the house, Stoney’s is a celebration of all things Centennial State. For entertainment, there’s a stage devoted to live music, Skee-Ball and a weird miniature bowling alley. Stoney’s was brought to life by a team of industry pros, including Will Traut- man, who formerly tended bar at Herb’s, and namesake Stoney Jesseph, who has expanded the Stoney’s family to a second location on 17th Avenue and Stoney’s Cantina on South Broadway. Drink Here continued from page 20 The Horseshoe Lounge is an Uptown staple. MOLLY MARTIN continued on page 23
