Things to do in Denver

Lanyard · 08-26-2008, 22:03

Hey Guys & Gals,

I'm sure there are a few of you here in town and maybe you might have a little bit of time to kill between doing whatever you have to do. I thought I'd share a few of the places in Denver proper that I really enjoy and might not be in any visitors brochure. I hope the other Coloradans will be in to tout their sections of the Front Range, though take it from me, there's not much in Greeley.

1.) El Chapultepec (the 'Pec) - great live venue for Jazz. Often after a big name has played their paying gig at a larger venue in town then they drop by and play a set or two with the house band. I have personally seen Wynton Marsalis, Tony Bennett (didn't sing), and Natalie Cole. Denver actually has a very strong Jazz heritage as it was the only stop between Kansas City and California where a musician could get a paying gig. There is NO dancing though, Gerry will throw you out. "Dazzle" is also a good choice for tunes.

2.) Red Square Restaurant - a great place for Vodka. This is the second incarnation and has been in Lodo in one form or another for a few decades. It's a Russian restaurant owned by a Brit, the wait staff is Ukrainian, and the chef is Russian. Known for for its prodigious Vodka Menu, over 100 varieties. My personal best is 20 shots, ask for Stephen or Irina to help out with the choices.

3.) Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant - A great place for an authentic Western Meal. It's the oldest liquor license (over 100 years) in Denver and they often have Bison, Rattlesnake, Elk, Quail and of course, the 4 lb Steak. They have a great 120 piece gun collection and the likes of Red Cloud, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Reagan, Will Rogers and Bob Hope have eaten there.

4.) Casa Bonita - I know, I know. But if you have kids or are into South Park it can be pretty fun. Their food can't be too bad. They were the exclusive caterer for the Pope when he was in town. Although that may explain why he hasn't been back. Really, the sopapillas and margaritas are good.

5.) Domo Japanese Restaurant - Something of an anomaly when you think of the Wild West, but back during WW II Denver was a haven of sorts for Japanese Americans. Ralph Carr, our Governor at the time, openly welcomed the Japanese Americans and made an official apology for the internment camps in SE Colorado. Nice thing to do but it killed his political career. Anyway, Domo is really an Aikido dojo with a restaurant attached. The entire staff, sans cooks, are students working off their dues. The building is a very authentic reproduction of a large Japanese farm house complete with large tree trunk chairs and stone slab table tops. Of course the food is authentic as well. Try to grab a seat outside in the zen garden and yes that is a real Mongolian yurt in the parking lot.

Hope this helps and if anyone would like a tip for something different feel free to drop me a PM.

82ndtrooper · 08-27-2008, 07:58

If I where there I'd get just as much enjoyment throwing eggs off my hotel balcony onto democrats all day long.

Thanks for the tips, maybe another time.

ZonieDiver · 08-27-2008, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanyard

Hey Guys & Gals,

I'm sure there are a few of you here in town and maybe you might have a little bit of time to kill between doing whatever you have to do. I thought I'd share a few of the places in Denver proper that I really enjoy and might not be in any visitors brochure. I hope the other Coloradans will be in to tout their sections of the Front Range, though take it from me, there's not much in Greeley.

4.) Casa Bonita - I know, I know. But if you have kids or are into South Park it can be pretty fun. There food can't be too bad. They were the exclusive caterer for the Pope when he was in town. Although that may explain why he hasn't been back. Really, the sopapillas and margaritas are good.

Hope this helps and if anyone would like a tip for something different feel free to drop me a PM.

We lived in Denver when my daughters were young, and whenever they return there they insist on a visit to Casa Bonita. If you are from the AZ-NM area and familiar with "Poncho's Mexican Buffet" - that is about what it is - with cliff divers and a "lost mine" cave - among other things. Not great food, but fun for kids.

Sdiver · 08-27-2008, 22:39

Nothing to see here, please move along......

.....I've been hearing that A LOT here lately.

kgoerz · 08-27-2008, 22:56

We just blew a package in front of the station. Noting in it but Obama literature. Leaflets were flying everywhere.

Sdiver · 08-27-2008, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

We just blew a package in front of the station. Noting in it but Obama literature. Leaflets were flying everywhere.

There seems to have been a "suspicious" package being found every night for the past week.

Thursday is going to be.....ahhhhhh....fun.

Lanyard · 08-28-2008, 10:22

It's funny you mention packages, the Local PD blew one up in front of my building last Thursday. It turned out to be a small cooler of beer and a radio.

afchic · 08-28-2008, 11:57

SDiver and Kgoerz stay safe out there tonight!!

My sister works in lodo and took the week off so she wouldn't have to deal with the crap downtown. Unfortunately she had a function she had to go to Monday night for her bank, and as she got off the train she walked right into one of those "Bring the War Home" rallies. Scared the living daylights out of her.

Less than 24 hours and maybe all the crazies will head back under the rocks from which they came.

I am sure you both are going to have interesting stories to tell when this is all said and done.

kgoerz · 08-28-2008, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanyard

It's funny you mention packages, the Local PD blew one up in front of my building last Thursday. It turned out to be a small cooler of beer and a radio.

Here is whats left of the Box filled with Obama Leaflets. Thats the poor SOB who had to clean it up in the morning.

Red Flag 1 · 08-28-2008, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by 82ndtrooper

If I where there I'd get just as much enjoyment throwing eggs off my hotel balcony onto democrats all day long.

Thanks for the tips, maybe another time.

Great town. Great tips.

Like the egg plan!!!

Another time would be better.

Don't think the natives are happy about any of this.

RF 1

kgoerz · 08-28-2008, 15:54

Last thing we saw before being overrun by Code Pink

**Pete** · 08-28-2008, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Last thing we saw before being overrun by Code Pink

Now that is Now that is Now that is........

Aw, heck, words just fail me.

**The Reaper** · 08-28-2008, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgoerz

Last thing we saw before being overrun by Code Pink

Did you turn the fashion police loose on them?

TR

abc_123 · 08-28-2008, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Did you turn the fashion police loose on them?

TR

Joking about the fashion police is not cool, because in 2014 they're going to be dead after my ass when I have to switch to the new mall-cop blue uniform.

kgoerz · 08-29-2008, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Did you turn the fashion police loose on them?

TR

All I remember, is yelling out "Tell my Family I love them, Fix Bayonets"