Sitting in front of a roaring fireplace is a contemplative, almost hypnotic experience. It conjures old memories and encourages snuggling with significant others.
With a drink in hand, it’s a recipe for good times. Maybe that’s why some Denver bars keep their fireplaces stoked and burning – and why their customers can’t stay away.
Frank Schultz, an owner of the Tavern Uptown at 538 E.17th Avenue, loves his bar’s fireplace so much he put it in the heart of the room.
“We renovated the whole bar around it,” Schultz says. “We wanted to create this warm, comfortable atmosphere.
“It’s kind of the focal point, the centerpiece of everything else going on.”
Schultz’s customers seem to agree: It’s nearly impossible to get a seat near the fireplace when it’s cold outside.
“It’s definitely the hottest spot to get around in the winter,” Schultz says. “It’s a cozy, lodgey type feel, and it brings people toward it.”
The Tavern Uptown isn’t the only bar that kindles Denverites’ love of a good drink and a warm fire. With many more chilly nights to come this winter, here are a few places around town to enjoy the simple – and primal – comforts of the fireplace.
The Celtic Tavern
1801 Blake St., 303-308-1795
The vibe: The main room is vast – and crowded on the weekends – but it’s generally genial. Tucked away in a corner, the Robert Burns Room is filled with luxuriously comfy furniture, copies of the famous Scotsman’s poems and a giant humidor. That’s right:
The Celtic’s a cigar bar, so smoking is allowed inside.
The fireplace: Just like at home, couches and a coffee table are parked right in front of the fire. It’s perfect for a long chat with lots of points to be debated, or just a quiet snack and a pint.
Signature winter drink: What else? Irish coffee.
Fadó
1735 19th St. #150, (303) 297-0066
The vibe: Except for the mostly modern music, Fadó’s more stereotypically Irish than Dublin on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s also a dark and labyrinthine place, making it all the better to curl up under the collected artifacts from the Auld Sod and hunker down for an evening.
The fireplace: Nestled in an out-of-the-way corner, it’s small but powerful. There aren’t any seats directly in front of the fireplace, but nearby tables benefit from the warm glow. Though it’s hard to see from the entrance, patrons are drawn to the flames like so many tippling moths.
Signature winter drink: Hot Pumpkin Spice: Baileys Irish Cream, Starbucks Liqueur and a dash of spices.
Mirepoix bar at the JW Marriott
150 Clayton Lane, (303) 253-3000
The vibe: Mirepoix fits perfectly into the casual elegance of its home at the JW Marriott hotel, and the lounge-y bar area is no exception. Instead of packing the bar into the restaurant proper, it’s just outside the doors, with little tables and miniature easy chairs scattered about.
The fireplace: Located in a spacious “living room” just off the bar, the sizable fireplace makes the hotel feel very much like a home. The couches in front of the fire are prime real estate, with good reason.
Signature winter drink: Santa’s Twisted Egg Nog, a potent blend of Stolichnaya Vanil, eggnog and crème de menthe, with a pinch of nutmeg and a candy cane.
Piatti
190 St. Paul St., (303) 321-1919
The vibe: Inoffensive to the point of blandness, Piatti’s interior isn’t much different from an Olive Garden. It’s also a big, busy, chatty place. The food, however, is very much their own creation.
The fireplace: Nestled in the restaurant’s north wall, the fireplace is on the small side, but its presence makes Piatti that much more inviting. It’s some feet away from the bar area, but a couple of lucky tables sit fireside.
Signature winter drink: Piatti Coffee, a dessert-sweet combo of Baileys, Frangelico and Kahlua in coffee.
Red Square Euro Bistro
1512 Larimer St. Unit R38, (303) 595-8600
The vibe: Despite its Soviet-era connotations, the people in Red Square look thrilled to be there. Maybe it’s the vodka (they have more than 100 brands), but more likely it’s the warm, soothing reds of the decor.
The fireplace: Red Square doesn’t really need a fireplace – just walking inside gets cheeks ruddy and smiling. It’s there, though, anchoring the dining room. Its flickering flame is visible from the nearby bar area.
Signature winter drink: A shot of Red Square’s red pepper-infused vodka can banish any chill.
The Bulldog Bar
3602 E. Colfax Ave.; 303-333-4345
The vibe: It’s a neighborhood sports dive, for sure, but a friendly one. There are plenty of TVs to watch the game on, and the locals clad in Broncos sweatshirts at the half-moon bar are happy to strike up a conversation.
The fireplace: It’s near the front door to ward off wintry drafts, but it’s only lit when they’ve collected enough wood and kindling.
Signature winter drink: Hot toddy – if they have any tea bags.
The Tavern Uptown
538 E. 17th Ave., (303) 830-9210
The vibe: It basically functions as a sports bar, but the Tavern Uptown has a distinctly, well, uptown feel. Cheering football fans occasionally raise a racket, but for the most part it’s a classic, comfortable place to grab a bite and a beer.
The fireplace: The large stone fireplace in the main room has magnetic qualities, with couches, a flat-screen TV and the promise of warmth. A smaller fireplace warms an intimate room off the dining area.
Signature winter drink: Café de Tavern: coffee with Baileys, coffee liqueur and chocolate syrup.
