You can find pretty much anything along the tattooed upper arm of East Colfax Avenue.
Once backhanded as the “wickedest street in America” by Playboy magazine, Colfax is also allegedly the country’s longest continuous commercial strip. Recent gentrification has (fortunately) failed to scrub East Colfax clean of its gritty character, but it has injected new businesses and ideas into the vein.
Among the successes, the half-mile between Columbine and Monroe streets has experienced a particular renaissance, its City Park-adjacent shops diverse but united in their mission to feed, clothe, entertain and otherwise service the edge-of-downtowners.
“I’ve seen nothing but good over the past five years,” said Drew Shader, owner of the Atomic Cowboy bar. “Very few businesses have left, and a lot more have come in.”
Consider this an invitation if you don’t know the area, or a refresher on what’s happening there now if you do.
The Tattered Cover | Twist & Shout
2508-2526 E. Colfax Ave. twist ;
The city’s best bookstore and record store teamed up in 2006 when the former renovated the Lowenstein Theatre and the latter built a shrine for its vast media wares and frequent in-store performances. Despite the loss of indie movie house Neighborhood Flix from the complex, these twin cultural beacons continue to shine.
Mezcal
3230 E. Colfax Ave., mezcal-restaurant.com
It’s tough to pinpoint the rebirth of this stretch of Colfax, but most agree that former concert promoter Jesse Morreale gave the area a boost five years ago with his tequila bar Mezcal and, later, hipster hangout/quasi-dive Rockbar. Besides an impressive tequila selection and Mexican menu, Mezcal pulls inspired stunts like joining with neighbor Lovely Confections to offer the sickly-sweet pairing of tequila and cupcakes.
Bluebird Theater
3317 E. Colfax
Few venues in Denver boast as diverse a calendar and storied a history as the Bluebird. Hosting indie rock, hip-hop, country, jazz and punk on a regular basis is no easy feat, but neither is surviving for 96 years as a movie house, porn theater and music venue. If you live in Denver and haven’t been to the Bluebird, you don’t really live in Denver.
The Shoppe
3103 E. Colfax Ave.
This year-old bakery crackles with color and style, beckoning walk-ins with desserts that look and taste great. “We’re a safe place for kids to come late at night,” said owner Emma Skala. Whether munching on red velvet cupcakes (a best seller) or playing board games over bowls of cereal, Shoppe patrons enjoy that rarest of mixes — hip and welcoming. The Ethiopian Restaurant
2816 E. Colfax Ave. 303-322-5939
Greek is the prevailing ethnic food along this part of Colfax, but this simply named, 25-year-old gem is a delicious alternative. Owners Negussie Denku and Elleni Mekonnen offer perfectly spiced beef, poultry, lamb and vegetarian dishes served atop fresh, delectable injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread).
Annie’s Cafe and Bar
3100 E. Colfax Ave. annies-cafe.com
Feel-good dishes and drinks highlight the newly expanded Annie’s, which moved from East Eighth Avenue and took over Goodfriends last summer. The line that snakes into the parking lot on weekend mornings proves how worth the wait is for home-cooked favorites.
Atomic Cowboy
3237 E. Colfax Ave.
Mainstays such as the PS Lounge and Goosetown Tavern have been slinging drinks along East Colfax for years, but Andrew Shader’s 5-year-old Atomic Cowboy offers a spiky alternative. Last fall’s addition of Fat Sully’s New York-style pizza gives the formidable Enzo’s End a run for its sauce and cheese. Check out the full menu and weekly open-mic and trivia nights.
The Bad Kittie Salon
2909 E. Colfax Ave.
As the name implies, this boutique offers a playful twist on the salon experience. Sisters Lora and Lolly Powers opened a year and a half ago to “give people a creative place to work,” according to Lora. “We’re also kind of into the girl-power thing around here.” In addition to showcasing local artists, Bad Kittie provides personalized service (call ahead with your favorite cocktail and snack orders) and the usual facials, nail work and full-body waxing. Also check out Babooshka, 3225 E. Colfax Ave. 303-991-2850.
Senger’s on the ‘Fax
3014 E. Colfax Ave. 303-355-0823
This 2-year-old bar has become a summer favorite with its elevated patio and a year-round destination with its sleek, backlit bar and endless drink specials. Owner David Senger, an East Colfax native, socked $250,000 into the formerly windowless Longhorn — and it shows. “We’re all happy to see the way it’s gone,” he said of the area. “People are walking around and feeling safe here these days.”
Plastic Chapel
3109 E. Colfax Ave.
Jumping from South Broadway to East Colfax allowed this designer toy shop to quadruple in size. Owners Dea Webb and David Wendt were wooed by Fabric Lab owner Tran Wills, who holds Second Saturday block parties with neighbors Hooked on Colfax, Newspeak, Neopolitan Gallery and others. Looking for hip, limited-edition collectibles, zines and paintings? Pop in here. Also find an unusual merchandise mix at Eclectic Dekken “And” at 2827 E. Colfax Ave. 303-271-1055;
