For a place built around the imagery of fast cars, The Stingray Lounge (2911 W. 38th Ave.) sure is relaxing.
Just opened on March 10, the Stingray’s the latest venture from Leigh Jones, owner of Jonesy’s EatBar (400 E. 20th Ave.), The Horseshoe Lounge (414 E. 20th Ave.) and Bar Car (819 Colorado Blvd.).
Like Jones’ other hangouts, the Stingray aims for a retro vibe. She and her partners went with dark wood and chandeliers at Jonesy’s and Bar Car, eclectic comfort at the Horseshoe. The Stingray zooms in a different direction with 1950s and ’60s accents and classic car-culture cool.
Right at the front door, a cozy seating area beckons: low-slung midcentury couches gathered around a fabulous old TV. It looks like Grandma and Grandpa’s groovy basement party room — where’s the wet bar?
Photos on the wall depict old-school drag races complete with flag girls and souped-up hot rods. The concept is very ’60s, but this isn’t “Mad Men.” This is the wild life that Don Draper’s kids probably fled into as soon as they could.
Past the zigzagging bar, a pool table is the centerpiece. Long banquettes line the walls, upholstered in fetching zebra print. It’d be a great place to chat and line up for a game of pool, though the cues might be a little dangerous in certain seats. A miniature row of red- painted booths offers a touch more privacy (and protection).
Grab a swiveling seat at the huge bar to soak in the ambience. The bartenders are friendly and ready for a chat. The booze selection is nicely edited, including a few tasty wines and some good-looking whiskeys.
The beer list is Colorado-centric. Offerings from Left Hand Brewing Co. and Wynkoop Brewing Co. are on tap. Bottles and cans in the big, glass-doored refrigerator are mostly Colorado microbrews from other big names, including Great Divide, Oskar Blues and New Belgium.
Thrifty drinkers needn’t fear — there are plenty of more-affordable brews, too, like Modelo Especial, Coors and the ubiquitous Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Should the urge to snack arise, the Sting- ray’s got it covered. The menu is short and similar to the one at Jones’ Horseshoe Lounge. Pizza’s the main attraction: Like the Horseshoe’s pies, the Stingray’s pizza is super-thin-crust and pleasingly salty. Grab a slice, or share a whole one with a pal.
The appetizers are calibrated for maximum snackiness. Try one of the Stingray’s variations on tater tots. Just like at the Horseshoe, there’s the “piggy tots”: hot potato puffs covered in melted cheese and chunks of bacon. Beware — it is possible for one person to become entranced and eat an entire order without thinking.
The Stingray is set to become a neighborhood staple, the sort of place people can walk to, drink with their neighbors and stumble home. There’s a good-sized patio out front that’ll come in very handy as the weather warms. And a parking lot caters to the folks who aren’t quite within walking distance.
All the fast cars and sleek, mod decor inspire dreams of exciting, rockabilly fun. You might end up doing that shot you shouldn’t d0 — but at least there’s a couch to sit on and a kitchen full of familiar food to soften the blow. You’ll get home all right.
Beta testing.
There’s a big week planned at Beta (1909 Blake St.), as usual. On Saturday, German DJ and producer Boys Noize spins a set of his signature punchy remixes and original tracks. He’s bringing along his pal Housemeister, too. Advance tickets are $20 at .
Beta rings in spring on Thursday with a Spring Break Beach Party, featuring local DJ heroes Kostas, Trajikk and Jontron.
Advance tickets are $10 at tickets, but ladies 21 and older get in free if they arrive before 11 p.m. in “beach attire” (read: a bikini).
