Run For The Roses
Cocktail bar · Union Station
1801 Blake St #10, Denver, CO 80202
Highlights
Cocktails & upscale bites in a swanky, underground lounge
Cocktails & upscale bites in a swanky, underground lounge
"One of the rules at Dairy Block’s subterranean cocktail lair is “Don’t be a dick,” which should be easy to follow in a joint this classy. (Reserve your dick behavior for one of Denver’s, let’s just say, more colorful bars.) The underground space is a beauty, reminiscent of the mid-century glam bar Jack Nicholson hits up in The Shining, just minus all the homicidal cabin fever. Besides the long, mirrored bar, tufted club chairs invite you to stick around for a while and explore the cocktail menu, which comes on a deck of playing cards. Numbers correspond to base spirits, like rum drinks for 8s and vodka for 2s. Those looking to splurge on something new can skip to the reserve Jacks, Queens, and Kings, for which chatty bartenders will gleefully pour you something special." - allyson reedy
"One of the rules at Dairy Block’s subterranean cocktail lair is “Don’t be a dick,” which should be easy to follow in a joint this classy. (Reserve your dick behavior for one of Denver’s, let’s just say, more colorful bars.) The underground space is a beauty, reminiscent of the mid-century glam bar Jack Nicholson hits up in The Shining, just minus all the homicidal cabin fever. Besides the long, mirrored bar, tufted club chairs invite you to stick around for a while and explore the cocktail menu, which comes on a deck of playing cards. Numbers correspond to base spirits, like rum drinks for 8s and vodka for 2s. Those looking to splurge on something new can skip to the reserve Jacks, Queens, and Kings, for which chatty bartenders will gleefully pour you something special." - Allyson Reedy
"Subterranean, swanky, and splurge-worthy: That’s Steven Waters’ throwback sanctuary beneath Dairy Block in a nutshell. Seasonal cocktails show forethought and flair — take the Snapdragon with rhubarb-infused rye gin, rosé vermouth, hibiscus, and pink peppercorn. But the lengthy list of classics is not to be denied. Charmingly printed on a deck of cards, it includes drinks whose prices reflect the rare, decades-old spirits that go into them, from 1960s-era Bénédictine to vintage Bacardi. (Pro tip: Opt for a table when possible, as the handsome barstools can be a tight squeeze.)" - Ruth Tobias
"On Thursdays through Sundays, fortune seekers can head below the Dairy Block complex to find a den of drinks plush with colorful leather chairs, a long bar, and mysterious twists and turns. Getting to the speakeasy is half the fun — and challenge. Head to the alley in the Dairy Block and pass through a nondescript door across from Milk Market’s entrance. Next, ride the elevator down one floor and exit into a long hallway toward a glass door. That’s the stop — mystery solved! Now all that needs to be discovered is the perfect drink. This downtown bar loves Highland Park, and aside from stocking the 12 and 18 Year Old whiskys, it offers ever-changing cocktails such as Winning Colors, a concoction of Highland Park 12 Year Old, Aperol, lemon juice, and two types of sherry." - Vox Creative
"At Run for the Roses, you’ll be presented with a list of seasonal and large-format cocktails; a reserve list of about 12 drinks showcasing rare and vintage spirits; a several-page wine list; and a deck of cards, each of which is printed with a classic cocktail—52 in all, of course. (Whew.) That said, the simple answer is to start with one of the seasonal offerings: Maybe you’ll go for a sweet-and-sour sensation like the Good Magic starring vodka, vermouth, and sage-infused melon liqueur, maybe a punch-packer like the Atswhatimtalkingabout, combining two types of Scotch, artichoke amaro, and peppered pineapple puree. Once you’re confident of their abilities, you might take a deep breath and blow anywhere from $50 to nearly $100 on a single trophy cocktail, such as a Zombie featuring rums from the 1960s and 1970s. Or you might switch to a bottle of wine—the selection here is no afterthought. The level of the drinks along with the fact that Run for the Roses is open Thursday through Sunday nights underscores a larger point here: This is not a place you just casually drop by." - Ruth Tobias
