Without fail, my friends lack internal compasses, especially when it comes to finding The Meadowlark.
You’d think “It’s on the corner of 27th and Larimer” would suffice. It doesn’t. Add the clarification – “It’s before you get to Brian’s music shop and the Larimer Lounge.” – and that helps. Still, you’ll get the call: “We’re standing on the corner, and we don’t see it.” So you pop out of The Meadowlark (2701 Larimer St., 303-293-0251), amble up the narrow stone stairwell and wave your friends in. Inevitably their reaction is of the “Excellent – I would have never even seen it!” variety. Which is great. Because that’s exactly what they should say.
The Meadowlark is an extraordinary new drinking basement with a character of its own and a clientele, for now, that’s quite local. All the kids living in warehouses, apartments, houses and lofts in the warehouse district, RiNo and Curtis Park are regulars at this joint. It’s intimate, almost as if you’re in one of those converted subway tunnel bars in Paris (old exposed stone, sturdy wood beams).
The underground bar is represented outside by a neon symbol hanging on the brick wall – almost an M, but you wouldn’t know it at first glance.
Best of all, it’s nonsmoking.
I can count noteworthy nonsmoking Denver bars on one hand, so The Meadowlark’s arrival should be heralded with trumpets, open arms and generous wallets. (Although given right-minded legislative decisions this session, all Denver bars would be non-smoking.)
The Meadowlark deserves discovery, and its growing plate of entertainment – down-tempo DJs now, small acoustic shows in the future – fits its modest stage perfectly. The wildebeest mounted above the stage doesn’t hurt the room’s aesthetic, either.
Staff writer Ricardo Baca can be reached at 303-820-1394 or rbaca@denverpost.com.
Funky: The Meadowlark gives the neighborhood an essential element: the neighborhood bar. It is to the Larimer Lounge what Sputnik is to Hi-Dive: the pre-party meeting spot, the community room.
Skunky: Anticipate the “Where is it again?” calls – and tell them to look for the neon.
