The Squeaky Bean
Themed menus are all well and good, but they don't matter if your drinks aren't great. Thankfully, that's not an issue at The Squeaky Bean. Located in LoHi, this stylish establishment serves up some of the best drinks in town — separated into cleverly-named categories like "Drunk Uncles", "American Graffiti", and "Dean Martin Variety Show" — as well as some fantastic food that covers everything from shrimp and grits at brunch to bacon wrapped in quail for dinner.
Freestone Fly Fishing Trips
Fly fishing is known as one of the most relaxing outdoor activities around, and whether you're an experience angler or a first timer, Freestone Fly Fishing Trips virtually guarantee a good time. This Orvis Endorsed Guide Service employees a host of guides with years of experience on local waters, and provides all the necessary fishing and wading equipment you'll need, plus tackles and refreshments. All you need is to decide between a 4-hour half-day jaunt or 8-hour full-day excursion in public waters or, for added privacy, one of the outfitter's exclusive properties — and remember to bring a Colorado Fishing License.
Pizzeria Locale
Chipotle. Pizza. Two worlds that you don't normally associate with one another — yet through a partnership with the booming burrito chain, Pizzeria Locale is taking casual pies to a new level. The secret is in the fresh ingredients — a Chipotle signature — and the one-of-a-kind oven, which heats up to 1,000 degrees, features a spinning floor, and uses a combination of gas and infrared to crank made-to-order pizzas of incredible quality out in just two minutes. You can choose from one of their classic creations or build your own with toppings ranging from arugula to zucchini — but no matter which you choose, you'll have it in your hands in no time, ready to enjoy with a soda, beer, or glass of wine.
Izakaya Den
We love tapas bars, but you can only eat so much Spanish cuisine before wanting something a little different. Izakaya places are similar, but with a Japanese slant — the word translates to "sake house with small plates" — and Izakaya Den is a great example. Located on South Pearl St, this upscale spot offers a menu that includes the expected miso soup, noodles, wontons, edamame, tempura, sushi, sashimi, and other Japanese specialties, as well as short ribs, patatas bravas, capaccio, and other globally-inspired plates. The sake list is also formidable, and is joined by a solid selection of wines, beer, and signature cocktails.
Topo Designs Store
We've long been fans of Topo Designs' gear, and finally there's a place to browse their whole catalog at once. The new flagship Topo Designs Store gives you an opportunity to browse their range of bags, apparel, and accessories, from accessory pulls and wallets to klettersacks and duffel bags. Also on offer are some choice outdoorsy magazines, as well as a range of camping and outdoor equipment and a solid selection of sunglasses. And as you might expect from an outdoor-focused company, the store itself is easy on the environment, as it's built from two recycled shipping containers, giving it an appropriately rugged feel.
The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa
There are certainly newer hotels in downtown — it's been there since 1892 — but there still aren't many better than The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa. This historic property has hosted all but one president since T. Roosevelt, features updated rooms that perfectly mix traditional and modern elements, offers a fantastic bar — the Ship Tavern — with an artesian well over 700 feet beneath it that feeds water to every faucet in the hotel, and bakes its own bread on-site in a rare carousel oven. In other words, it's a great mix of the old and the new — just like the city itself.
Colt & Gray
Some places specialize in local ingredients. Some specialize in complete, nose-to-tail utilization of everything they cook. Colt & Gray does both. This locally-owned and -operated spot serves high-quality, upscale fare — think sautéed sweetbreads, pan roasted, bone-in ribeye, and glazed duck breast — alongside terrific small plates, cheese platters, and charcuterie. As you might expect, the wine menu is impressive, but might be outclassed by the cocktails, which are inventive, crafted with house-made bitters, and are typically themed — so get there soon, before the Arrested Development-inspired Nevernude is no more.
Uncle
It might not look fancy from the outside — and in fact, the inside isn't exactly a feast for the eyes, either — but looks aren't what's important at Uncle. That would be the food. And you'll be hard-pressed to find better Asian fusion fare in the Mile High City, thanks to the talents of Chef Tommy Lee and a menu that's heavy on ramen, steamed buns, and tasty bowls, and light on your wallet. A solid selection of craft beers, cocktails, and sakes provide the ideal accompaniment, as well as an ideal excuse to stick around a while after you've finished your meal. [Scouted by J.R.]
Mile High Comics
It might not have the charm of some of the smaller neighborhood shops — in reality, it has all the visual allure of a Sam's Club — but what it lacks for in looks, it makes up for in sheer size. Mile High Comics is a self-described Megastore, offering over 45,000 square feet of artistic goodness. Spread across the massive space is the store's inventory of over five million comics and over 100,000 trade paperbacks, along with a gratuitous number of toys and other collectibles. With that sort of selection, it's bound to be a bit daunting, but luckily, everything is well organized — and if you still need help, the staff is among the friendliest around.
Little Man Ice Cream
We know there's always money in the banana stand, but if the quality of the treats emerging from Little Man Ice Cream is any indication, there's plenty of cash to be made in the cream can, as well. This soon-to-be-iconic LoHi shop operates out of a 28-foot tall cream can, serving up hand-crafted, small-batch ice cream, gelato, and sorbet made using quality locally sourced ingredients. Like any good ice cream shop, they also make floats, malts, shakes, and sundaes, but perhaps the most novel thing they do is guarantee to send a scoop of rice to developing countries for every scoop of ice cream you order — so while you might be cheating on your diet, at least you'll have something to feel good about. [Scouted by Dan]
Hops & Pie
Typically, a great craft beer selection is a good enough reason for us to visit a place — especially if we're thirsty. Add some delicious pizza to the mix, and you've got a sure thing. The guys behind Hops & Pie obviously agree, riding this perfect pairing to hangout glory. The smallish bar offers 20+ taps, just as large an assortment of packaged beer — including bombers, big boys, cans, and bottles — and menu that includes gluten-free, pan, and traditional-style pizzas, with toppings ranging from fresh mozzarella and Italian sausage to mashed potatoes and blackberry bbq sauce. And don't worry if you're confounded by the toppings — just go for the artisan pie of the month, which is dependably excellent, and will surely pair well with a brew of your server's suggestion. [Scouted by Jason]
Proper Barber Shop
There are plenty of ways to judge a barbershop. Us? We like to go buy how many bottles of Jameson are visible when you step through the door. Okay, not really — the guys at the Proper Barber Shop really can cut hair. But the atmosphere doesn't hurt. Dedicated to serving as not just a barber shop but a haven for men, this quality shop offers haircuts and shaves, as well as stacks of vintage Playboys for you to peruse as you wait, and cold cans of PBR or shots of Irish whiskey for those customers who make the cut. Pun not intended.
