The bar at Blackbird features cocktail menu curated by Sean Kenyon. (Photo provided by Blackbird.)
Blackbird, which opened last week in Washington Park, already made ,” along with popular places like and Pizzeria Locale. But Blackbird is more than a pizza shop.
The new restaurant, at the corner of Downing and Alameda streets, is at the former location of Handlebar Tavern, which has cycled through many different incarnations in recent years. Now there’s a commitment to upscale food, headed by chef Thomas Newsted, who’s worked at such Kevin Taylor restaurants as Limelight and Palettes. He’s created a menu that includes charcuterie boards, lamb ragu, wild marlin sashimi, and whole fried branzino.
Sean Kenyon of Denver bar Williams & Graham, , curated the cocktail menu with original drinks like the Blackbird, with Jim Beam rye, Laird’s Applejack, Averna liquer, and orange peel.
The new restaurant is the latest from the Table to Tavern restaurant group, which also owns Atticus and Boone’s Tavern near the University of Denver. They owned the Handlebar Tavern, and planned to remodel it more than a year ago, but then got caught up in opening Atticus restaurant earlier this year.
Blackbird takes up the entire space that once housed both Abo’s Pizza and the Handlebar Tavern, which was a sports bar with lots of TVs. Table to Tavern partners Rob Lanphier and Angie and Brian Midtbo wanted an updated concept.
“I don’t think this area really wanted a sports bar,” said Lanphier. “We wanted a place where families, couples, and dates would feel comfortable.”
The area that once held Abo’s is now a large community room, designed for parties and groups like the teams and running clubs that use Wash Park. There’s a large bar space and a spacious dining room.
“We’ve gotten great feedback on the food and the atmosphere,” said general manager Dave Canino.
It’s open for lunch and dinner. Brunch starts Dec. 13.
Blackbird, 305 S. Downing St., Denver. 303-733-3923.
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