Dining at a hotel sounds like something only for travelers, but I think they can be great spots for locals, too. Now that Palace Arms, the swanky joint inside the Brown Palace, is closing after 74 years, where else do you go? Check out this list of the best hotel bars and restaurants in Denver.
The Cruise Room (The Oxford Hotel)
Arguably the most iconic hotel bar in town, this spot opened the day after prohibition ended in 1933. The art deco design is inspired by the decor of famed ocean liner RMS Queen Mary and is reason enough to spend an evening reliving the debauchery of the post-teetotaler era.
🍸 What to order: the gin martini, because a classic bar deserves a classic cocktail.
The Nickel (Hotel Teatro)
Located inside the historic Tramway Building, the restaurant is named after the five-cent fare that was charged to passengers of Denver’s old streetcars in the 20th Century.
🍗 What to order: the “Nickel Wing Time” during their Thursday and Friday happy hour.
Death & Co (Ramble Hotel)
I fell in love with the flagship New York location back in 2011 and their modern classics cocktails book is still a favorite. You can imagine my excitement when they opened a Denver location in 2018. It’s a treat for any cocktail lover — just be prepared for high-end cocktail prices.
🌵 What to order: the Desert Cruiser, featuring a trio of Latin American spirits — mezcal, sotol, and cachaça.
Charlie Brown’s (The Colburn)
This might be cheating since The Colburn is exclusively apartments these days, but it used to be a hotel. Plus, this is an affordable and chill alternative to the swanky vibe of most hotel restaurants and bars. There’s a great year-round patio, nightly piano sing-alongs, and decent food.
🍺 What to order: many, many hot wings and a cheap beer.
Bonus: Rooftop Restaurant & Pool Bar (Clayton)
You do need to be a guest at the hotel or a member of their private social club, but the warm weather calls for a rooftop with a view.
🍤 What to order: the Hamachi Crudo for peak poolside vibes.
