Nothing beats a cozy neighborhood tavern. Except, of course, a newly updated and much nicer version of a cozy neighborhood tavern. Neighbors in the East Highland area of Denver welcomed the Highland Tavern to the ‘hood on Oct. 4. Owners Brian Sommatino (Red Room, Goosetown Tavern) and Kris Baehre reinvented the existing space and breathed fresh air into the bar. Formerly the Coors Tavern, a dark and dusty old neighborhood joint, the new incarnation is filled with light, courtesy of glass garage doors that open to the street and a high- ceilinged, open floor plan. In the short time since it opened, the Tavern already has scored a sizable group of regulars drawn from the surrounding area. Curious neighbors flooded in during the opening week (even before the official opening date) and so far, the response has been resoundingly positive. Up next, look for a patio overlooking downtown to open in late winter or early spring, and an upscale grill to open later in 2007. |Kat Valentine
Highland Tavern, 3400 Navajo St., 303-433-1990
