6 Must-See New Restaurants & Bars in Denver

Everyone knows that the Mile High City has many amazing restaurants and bars, and the options just keep rolling in! It’s time to ditch your typical go-to spots and try something new this summer. I’m always on the lookout for the perfect places to take clients or dine with my family, so we’ve compiled a list of Denver’s hottest new restaurants and bars, curated just for you:

First up on the list is  Glo Noodle House, located in West Highland, which opened 5 months ago. The unique atmosphere is adorned with paper lanterns and features a sprawling patio for al-fresco summertime dining. The menu features skewers, raw plates, ramen, and a line-up of small plates including crisp karaage with a chile glaze and yuzu aioli - don’t forget to try from their assorted list of cocktails. One of the highlights of Glo is the restaurant’s beautiful dishware which was made by a local ceramicist.

Want a quick getaway? The immersive Sky Bar, located inside Stanley Marketplace, is a perfect place to escape the turbulence of the day. Take the first-class elevator to ascend into the vintage airport lounge-themed bar with birds-eye view of the mountains. Sky Bar nods to simpler times by celebrating the “Golden Age of Air Travel”. Enjoy an al-fresco cocktail like the Hawaii (vodka, white rum, pineapple, creole shrubb, and lime) in this cozy setting while taking in the beautiful Colorado sunset.

BB.Q Chicken is a popular South Korena fried chicken chain that originally expanded to Colorado in March, but has now opened an additional location in Capitol Hill. Each dish is a mix of Korean traditional food with a modern twist, and the restaurant prides itself on making juicy and crispy fried chicken. After all, they say that their “BBQ” name stands for “Best of the Best Quality”. The secret? Sauces imported from South Korea with a 20 minute run in a tumbler that fully coats the chicken in flour dredge before cooking.

Next on our list is Lucina Eatery & Bar, which opened 2 months ago in Park Hill as an ode to all matriarchs - the restaurant was named after the mother of one of the chefs. Comforting specialties include fragrant paella with mussels and chorizo and a shrimp ceviche tossed in agua chile sauce. All this can (and should!) be paired with a killer cocktail from their full service bar. With this melting pot of Latin American, Caribbean, and Coastal Spanish cuisine, you can’t go wrong!

If you’re looking for something a little more artsy, you should check out Factory Fashion Champagne Bar inside Stanley Marketplace, which opened in April. This education center operates as a sewing studio during the night, but moonlights as a chic champagne bar after 5pm every Thursday through Sunday where a curated list of premium bubbles & specialty cocktails waits to welcome you at the end of a long week. The bar regularly features arts activations and live music with events like a Central Park artists pop-up exhibition or a summer cupcake decorating class. This place really has something for everyone!

A new large-scale, innovative project called Society Colorado is coming to Denver this fall. The 3-story and 15,000 square foot building houses 3 individual, but complimentary businesses: Thrive, Vibe, and Alive. Thrive is a Boulder-based vegan eatery that will feature extra amenities like an on-site cider-and-jun making facility. A grab-and-go service counter will be available in addition to a full service restaurant offering small plates. Vibe operates as a coworking space during the day, but transforms into an entertainment venue at night that is fit for housing over 600 people. Alive is a wellness-focused space with studios for yoga classes, massages, etc. Guided workshops will be offered regularly, and Alive will also sell fruit-and-veggie packed health elixirs. The space was designed with a collaborative mindset in which visitors can simultaneously meet new people and network while enjoying a variety of different activities under one roof! Be sure to keep an eye out for this one.