“Do my bangs look cool?”
It’s Saturday night in LoDo, in a women’s restroom.
Because the ’80s are long gone, one can assume that the person asking this question probably does, indeed, have cool bangs. And because the restroom is located at Gaslamp (1437 Market St.), it’s practically guaranteed that those are some super-cool, totally sweet bangs.
The crowd at Gaslamp is almost disturbingly attractive. Walk through its doors, and it suddenly feels like a pricey hangout in SoCal or Scottsdale. It seems like everyone is young and well-dressed, with sparkling white teeth and expertly groomed hair. The clothes look expensive, the shoes even more so. The music is a perfectly selected mix of classic party- rock and more sensitive, semi-indie tunes. Think Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” and “Dashboard” by Modest Mouse.
Saturday night is just getting started.
Gaslamp opened its doors in January on a block already stacked with drinking options. It seems to be holding its own, though. By 10 p.m., the place is steadily and quickly filling.
For a bar with a pingpong table placed smack-dab in the front window, Gaslamp is surprisingly sleek and hip. In the center of the room, rich, wood-paneled walls hold flat screen TVs showing skate and snowboard videos, a good choice because half the guys look like professional snowboarders.
Seating is at a premium. The huge bar takes up a lot of space, placed as it is in the middle of the room. The bar has plenty of chairs, but once those are filled, it gets tough. A few small tables line the back wall, and that’s about it.
This isn’t a big problem, but when a bar is filled with hot people trying to hook up, bad vibes can surface. Chairs must be guarded closely to avoid misunderstandings. Gaslamp isn’t a brawler’s bar by any stretch, but this is LoDo, it’s crowded, and there’s alcohol afoot.
Gaslamp has its own cocktail menu divided into “surf” and “snow” columns. They’re decently priced too, but on a Saturday night they don’t seem to be selling. People are looking to get tipsy, so the beers and double-tall Jack-and-Cokes are flying.
On the other side of the bar, the bartenders are fast and friendly. They’re all cute too, guys and girls alike. Their neighborly attitude is especially welcome once things start to get truly hectic and people are jockeying to buy drinks.
Gaslamp is owned by the same folks as the nearby Front Porch (1215 15th St.), and the feeling is similar: Casual, charming and stuffed with happy party people. It’s a scene, bro.
And how did those bangs turn out? Nicely swooped to one side, perfectly sculpted into straightness but not overdone. Totally cool.
Suite gets sweet.
Suite Two Hundred (1427 Larimer St.) will get a whimsical makeover at the “Mad Hatter Affair in Wonderland” tonight.
The chic nightclub is getting the tea party treatment. Servers will dress as characters, with the rest of the club outfitted in “fantasy decor.” VIP guests get T-shirts and passes to the latest remake of “Alice in Wonderland,” opening in March.
Yummy cupcakes will be available for snacking, but take a hint from Alice: Some might make you grow bigger, and others make you smaller. Mostly bigger, though.
The party starts a 9 tonight. Make reservations by calling 720-560-4433.
Gone soon? Hope not.
This week’s Noise! night at Beta (1909 Blake St.) is billed as the “Closing Party.” Say it ain’t so! Tonight’s show features Franki Chan and Stereo Heroes. Chan, founder of super-hip record label IHeartComix, spins popular hits and the latest dance cuts. French duo Stereo Heroes describe themselves as “super comic electro crunk.” Expect a sweaty hipster meltdown.
Advance tickets are $10 at groovetickets.
