Walking down East Colfax Avenue on a busy weekend night, the crowds and lights of bars like Rockbar, Goosetown Tavern and the Atomic Cowboy command the most attention.
Without even noticing it, you might pass right by R Bar (3209 E. Colfax Ave.). And even though it’s tiny, dark and decidedly un-flashy, R Bar is a quiet gem.
Attached to the next-door Trattoria Stella, R Bar beckons drinkers and diners with its cozy wood paneling, small booths and two-top highboys. Candles flicker on the tables with strands of white party lights overhead. If it weren’t for the big windows onto Colfax, it’d feel a bit European, a comfortable place to drink vino and meet with the neighbors.
The bar itself is a good size for gathering — not too big, not too small — and great for eating a solo meal from Stella’s kitchen. Don’t be shocked if another bar-stool sitter strikes up a conversation. R Bar’s relaxed vibe is infectious.
The laid-back ambience is partially provided by the music. On a street full of earsplitting sound systems, R Bar takes the gentler route. Even when the music itself is raucous, the bartenders manage to keep the volume at a comfortable level for talking and not shouting. It’s a welcome change for weary ears who just want to have a conversation and not a screaming match. The bar’s wood-lined walls help tamp down the sound, too.
Booze-wise, there are a few Italian beer selections to liven things up, plus a short menu of cocktails. The Pearl Hart, named after an Old West outlaw, is a good one to try this time of year: The blend of gin, pear juice and tart Limonata soda is a blast of summertime fun in the dead of winter.
The only odd bit about a recent visit was the giant projection of basketball games playing on one wall. Not artsy footage of basketball games — just regular college basketball. Denver is a sporty town, yes, but the sports seemed a little out of place in a calm room full of couples and sedate wine-drinkers. Fortunately, the sound was off and no one seemed to be paying attention anyway.
Loud, loose, out-of-control nights have their place, for sure, and East Colfax is a fine spot to have them. On some evenings, though, it’s time for quality drinks sipped slowly, and a good chat with a pal or two. Amid the chaos, R Bar is the place to find that.
More Mondo. Denver’s fashion mavens will be out in full force on Thursdays when local celeb and designer Mondo Guerra hosts screenings of “Project Runway All Stars” at Beauty Bar (608 E. 13th Ave.).
Guerra came in as the runner-up in the Season 8 finale of “Project Runway.” His placement was a heartbreaker, with many fans — and even former “Runway” judge Tim Gunn — declaring their disappointment with the judges’ decision.
Guerra’s in the midst of a major second chance, though, competing on the show’s “All Stars” series along with an army of fellow contestants from previous seasons. Stop into Beauty Bar on Thursdays during the show’s run to watch the latest episode, play games and meet “Runway” designers, including Guerra himself.
“Mondo’s All-Star Thursdays” start at 6 p.m. There’s no cover charge.
DJ calendar. Beta’s (1909 Blake St.) Bassic Fridays features the “party sounds” of DJ SPL. He’ll be joined by electronic trio Triage, as well.
Saturday’s big show stars house-music head Sydney Blu, and NRG Thursdays welcomes Swedish madman Marcus Schossow.
Tickets are $10 each at .
On Saturday, Vinyl (1082 Broadway) brings in D. Ramirez, a tech-house traveler from across the pond, for a weekend rave-up. Advance tickets are $10, or $15 day-of-show, at .
