The lower Highland neighborhood has been booming for a while. Like most changing neighborhoods, certain types of shops and restaurants tend to pop up.
There’s the super-cool, ecologically conscious eatery: Root Down (1600 W. 33rd Ave.). The hip Mexican joint: LoLa (1575 Boulder St.). The fab patio: Vita (1575 Boulder St., Suite A). And now, there’s the wine bar: the Cellar (2556 15th St.).
Located just up the street from another hangout, Forest Room 5 (2532 15th St.), the Cellar is the next logical addition to the area. A minimalist space that relies on wine to set the mood, the Cellar seems like it’s going to fit right in with the neighbors.
The room is on the small side, long and narrow. A comfortable-looking bar takes up most of one wall, and small tables — many just for two — make up most of the seating. A tall community table sits just on the other side of the bar.
It seems like it could feel cluttered and stuffy, but it’s not: High ceilings and a wall of windows facing 15th Street keep the bar airy and light.
At the Cellar, happy hour is called “social hour,” and it is indeed friendly. From 5 to 7 p.m. daily, a short list of wines are $5 a glass. Glasses regularly priced at $10 and up are half off, too. It’s a nice way to try more upscale wines without draining the bank account.
There’s a small menu of nibbles, too — the usual cheese and meat samplers with olives, bread and other accompaniments. A few light desserts like chocolate mousse and cheesecake lollipops round out the offerings.
Despite its dark-sounding name, the Cellar is a pleasant place to catch up with pals and watch the world go by — 15th Street is busy enough evenings to have plenty of people- watching (and dog-watching) opportunities.
Welcome to the neighborhood.
Yet another fun place to be on Broadway: El Diablo (101 Broadway), the latest from the M Inc. crew, opens tonight.
Jesse Morreale and the gang are taking El Diablo in an “old-Mexico” direction, with folklore murals, Catholic iconography and vintage Mexican appointments throughout. A splash of low-rider culture adds hints of modernity, too.
Like another M. Inc. venture, Tambien (250 Steele St.), El Diablo will be awash in tequila and mezcal, and margaritas for the quieter evenings.
Tacos are the main event here, with 12 choices promised for the menu. Late-night lovers will be pleased to learn that a street-food window will be open after hours, too, dishing up tasty treats until 4 a.m. daily. Nothing like a late-night taco fix to create a brighter tomorrow.
Back to the beat.
Beauty Bar (608 E. 13th Ave.) is importing another dance-fanatic favorite tonight with The Get Back.
The Get Back usually lives at Beauty Bar’s Las Vegas location, but they’re going to start making the journey to Denver every third Friday of the month.
Specializing in funk, soul and classic hip-hop, The Get Back DJs — John Doe, Danny Boy and Phoreyz — plan to get booties shaking the old-school way.
Drop in early for a $10 Martini and Manicure special to get your nails looking good for the big dance party. There’s no cover.
Big nights at Beta (1909 Blake St.): Saturday’s MC Flipside show is also an “Alice in Wonderland”-themed extravaganza. Expect freaky costumes, mondo decorations and a white rabbit or two.
On Thursday, U.K. DJ Matt Darey stops in to spin house, breaks, trance and more. Advance tickets are $10 at .
