Hidden Denver: How to Visit Like a Local
Here's your guide to fitting in with the locals the next time you visit Denver.
Image via Complex Original
In recent years, Denver has primarily made headlines for its aging quarterback and local policies. This is an unfortunate disservice to a city that’s brimming at the rim with restaurants, bars, and boutiques of national acclaim. Denver has pretty much everything short of a beach and a sports team capable of winning a championship. The arts scene is thriving, the interest in fashion is catching up, and many people are building successful, creative ventures that rival established destinations. Here are 10 ways to experience a day in Denver as if you were a local.
Go Eat Some Sushi
Location: 1487 S Pearl St.
Despite Colorado being a landlocked state, Denver and Boulder have some impressive seafood spots. Even though Sushi Den is by no means a “locals only” type of place (it is considered by many to be one of the better sushi spots in the country), it is always packed with locals as well as visitors eager to try the noteworthy spot.
Sit in the Sun With a Beer
Location: 1695 Platte St.
Denver Beer Co. has exploded in recent years. This is largely due to a simple formula: great beer made on-site along with a lot of happy patrons and pets occupying a massive outdoor patio. It is in the middle of the thriving Lower Highlands neighborhood and within blocks of Coors Field. Another local favorite, menswear boutique Jiberish LoHi, is just across the street.
Shop for Well-Curated Clothes in an Intimate Setting
Location: 2040 W. 30th Ave.
Goldyn opened in 2011, but its online presence put it on the map in 2007. Since then, their reach has grown along with their impact on the Denver scene. You can find brands such as Helmut Lang, Rachel Comey, New York favorites like OAK and A.P.C., and many others in-store.
Slurp Down Some Ramen
Location: Uncle, 2215 W 32nd Ave.; Tokio, 2907 Huron St. Unit #103
Denver was a bit late (well, very late) on the ramen scene, but that doesn’t mean that it is without its fair share of decent ramen spots. Uncle came first, and even though it borrows heavily from Momofuku, it is still delicious and worth trying. For a local favorite, Tokio is a safe bet because it is generally without the crowds and hype of Uncle, and it still serves delicious ramen in a low-key setting in downtown.
Take in Some Art in a Decidedly Non-Commercial Gallery
Location: 3004 Larimer St.
Dateline is a by artists, for artists gallery in the booming RiNo neighborhood of Denver. It pairs local artists with artists of international acclaim, which, coupled with the sporadic hours, high quality of work, and lack of pretension, makes it an ideal spot to check out.
Get Your Hair Cut
Location: 2828 Larimer St.
Denver has its fair share of great barbershops, and The Usual Barbershop is one of the best. Started by an alum of Proper Barbershop (an institution in Denver), The Usual Barbershop gives the ideal no-nonsense haircut that Denver locals seek out.
Try the Coffee
Location: 2862 Larimer St.
Many cities boast about their coffee prowess. That being said, Denver does have one of the best coffee scenes in the country. People are obsessive about it and there is intense loyalty within given neighborhoods for certain coffee spots. Standing out from the crowd, Crema established itself as one of the premier hangouts with an ideal mix of location (the neighborhood is booming), quality, and general atmosphere.
Ride Your Bike
Location: 1338 Tremont Pl.
One of the upsides about Denver (or downsides, depending on your physical inclinations) is the hyperactive, outdoors-oriented nature of most residents. Colorado is ideal for cycling, and stores like Track Shack have done wonders for the community. This place undoubtedly caters to the fixed-gear crowd, but free wheel or not, you will appreciate their genuine love for the sport and the good service.
End Your Night at a Speakeasy
Location: 2745 Welton St.
In Denver, bars close at 2 a.m. This coupled with over-eager bartenders doing early last calls means that people were in need of a late-night speakeasy. Enter Wardenclyffe, a true speakeasy, not a Williams and Graham-type spot (W&G is incredible, however it’s more of a tourist destination at this point), meaning it may not be the easiest place to track down but it is well worth going.
Leave Denver
This is by no means a shot at Denver. Part of the reason Denver is such a great city is because of the personality that results in it being located right by the mountains. Staying in Denver puts you at a short drive from some of the most stunning scenery in the U.S., as well as a mountain culture that thrives in both the summer and winter. Get in the car and leave town. (If you can’t muster the energy to leave, then The Denver Botanic Gardens are wonderful as well.)