Editor’s note: As of today, all 25 of these bars and restaurants are still kicking, but times are getting tougher in Denver for the hospitality industry for innumerable reasons — and some of these storied establishments may not be around forever. In fact, Pete’s Kitchen put out a plea on social media last week for more business in light of the Colfax Avenue construction that has taken its customers. “Your favorite diner, bar, bookstore, or record shop could be the next to close if we fail to support them now when they need it most,” the message said.
Charlie Brown’s Bar & Grill pulses with personality, from its piano-centric sign atop a canopied entrance to its square wooden bar and huge stone patio that overlooks one of the busiest stretches of Capitol Hill.
Charlie Brown’s first opened in 1928, according to longtime owner George Andrianakos, but didn’t secure a liquor license until 1947. The fact that it’s survived all this time speaks to its bustling-yet-homey atmosphere. Like many historic neighborhood eateries, it also invokes the sights, sounds and aromas of a Mile High City that no longer exists.
Connected to the towering Colburn Hotel, you’re as likely to catch retirees scratching lottery tickets over shrimp dinners as you are 20-somethings popping in for late-night pizza and cocktails. The one-story space is packed with handsome features, but its draw has for decades been the nightly piano singalongs, as well as happy hour 2-for-1 drinks and — on the second Friday of every June, July and August — a pig roast that’s free for all.
It’s easy to imagine Beat legend Jack Kerouac hunkering down at a corner banquette, or Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe strutting through, as all have done. A few of the liquor bottles and toy cars above the bar date back six decades, although Charlie Brown’s — formerly known for its huge, smoking-friendly patio — has updated the most yellowed aspects of its décor (including, thank goodness, its highly absorbent carpets).
Charlie Brown’s is at 980 Grant St. in Denver; 303-860-1655 or charliebrownsbarandgrill.com.
Here are more Denver old-timers preserving the city’s culinary and cultural past while inching toward the future, in alphabetical order.
Bagel Deli
This 58-year-old, family-owned deli sells toothsome bagels and Jewish deli classics like brisket, corned beef, lox, matzo ball soup and kosher treats. Its modest storefront conceals a deep history, from its 1967 founding by Holocaust survivors Lola and Paul Weiner to a national fan base thanks to shows such as “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” New, as of April: A Denver International Airport outpost. 6439 E. Hampden Ave. in Denver; 303-756-6667 or bageldeli.com
Bastien’s
Whether or not you’ve tried the famous sugar steak — and you should — you’ll be transported by the Googie-style architecture and mid-century modern aesthetics of this East Colfax Avenue fixture, which opened in 1958. Big groups often dine under the dim lights while toasting martinis and Manhattans, but there’s a romantic air throughout (and a spartan little bar in the back). 3503 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. 303-322-0363 or bastiensrestaurant.com
Brewery Bar II
This working-class slice of old-school Denver won The Denver Post’s Best Green Chile bracket in April against tough competition from Los Dos Potrillos, Tamales Moreno, El Toro, Santiago’s and a few other exemplary makers. All are worthy, but the 69-year-old Brewery Bar II shows many of them up with its face-meltingly hot variety of the traditional stew, available in cups, bowls, take-out containers and atop Mexican dishes and combos — including its unbeatable crispy rellenos. 150 Kalamath St. in Denver; 303-893-0971 or brewerybars.com
Buckhorn Exchange
Featuring hundreds of taxidermied animals as well as Colorado’s first liquor license granted after Prohibition, Buckhorn Exchange dates to 1893 when it opened as the Rio Grande Exchange. The city’s original steakhouse, as it rightly calls itself, has red-and-white checkered tablecloths and all the Old West flavors to match: Rocky Mountain Oysters, rattlesnake, elk, quail, alligator and, for a mere $263, a 4-pound steak that feeds up to five people. Bibs not included. 1000 Osage St. in Denver; 303-534-9505 or buckhorn.com
Bull & Bush Brewery
This British pub has stayed cozy despite its sprawling layout and long copper bar, which has welcomed diners and tipplers since 1971. Twin brothers and founders Dean and Dale Peterson stocked it with British antiques and pop-culture curios while building one of the tastiest menus in Glendale, with favorites such as fish and chips but also Mexican fare and — as of the 1990s — some of Colorado’s first commercial craft brews. Brunch is highly recommended. 4700 E. Cherry Creek South Drive in Glendale; 303-759-0333 or bullandbush.com
Casa Bonita
As overexposed as its recent renovation has been, this 51-year-old “eater-tainment” concept remains a Colorado icon. Kids remember the carnival-style games and interactive environments such as Black Bart’s Cave, and new owners Trey Parker and Matt Stone, creators of “South Park,” have preserved them with love. The unmistakable pink building still features cliff diving, roaming mariachi performers, and lovingly over-the-top decor, but now the food isn’t too bad, either. Be sure to book early, given the newly revived demand. 6715 W Colfax Ave. in Lakewood; casabonitadenver.com
The Cherry Cricket
As Denver’s most-awarded burger spot, Cherry Cricket’s original location recalls neighborhood pals gathering for cheap lagers and watching the Broncos sack (or get sacked by) their rivals. It first opened as Zimmerman’s in 1945, but turned into The Cherry Cricket five years later, with a rotating “Duffy’s” sign coming and going over the years. It offers a full sports-bar menu, including wild burger toppings such as peanut butter and mac-and-cheese, with a pair of other locations in LoDo and Littleton. 2641 E. Second Ave. in Denver; 303-322-7666 or cherrycricket.com
The Original Chubby’s
With a colorful family history that occasionally included legal disputes, this late-night Colo-Mex standby offers a burger- and burrito-driven menu of tested family recipes. Owner Stella Cordova, who bought the place in 1967 for $2,500, was a common sight there until she died at age 100 in 2006. Her legacy endures with the scarf-worthy burritos, burgers, smothered fries and tamales, most of them available with savory green chile stew ladled on top. And it’s a must-visit for late-night partiers. 1231 W. 38th Ave.; 303-455-9311 or theoriginalchubbysdenver.com
Columbine Steakhouse & Lounge
The fast-changing face of Federal Boulevard has a constant feature in the 64-year-old, cash-only Columbine Steakhouse, where visitors can watch their porterhouses, T-bones and sirloins sizzle on line, then hunker down with them over a baked potato, salad and slice of toast (or a cocktail from the attached bar next door). Working-class, family-friendly and proud of it. 300 Federal Blvd. in Denver; (303) 936-9110 or columbinesteakhouseandlounge.com
Domo
This Japanese stalwart founded in 1996 revived itself in 2023 after a year off, following a 40-second, viral TikTok video of the restaurant’s elaborate gardens, prompting hundreds to wait in lines that snaked around the building (and overwhelming owner Gaku Homma and his staff, as The Denver Post reported). Thank goodness it’s quietly returned to serving its signature Japanese country cuisine, featuring soba, ramen and tsukemen dipping noodles; curries and soups; donburi rice bowls; and all manner of savory, traditional apps. 1365 Osage St. in Denver; 303-595-3666 or facebook.com/domorestaurantdenver
El Taco de Mexico
Founded in 1985 by Felipe Juarez and MaLuisa Zanabria, this incredibly consistent, no-frills taqueria is always stuffed with devoted customers, thanks to a tireless, Spanish-speaking staff that keeps things moving briskly. Grab an ice-cold bottle of Mexican soda while you select your mouth-watering tacos, burritos, tamales, enchiladas and sides (with haste, it should be added). If you’ve had a better taco — or green chile, for that matter — in Denver, you’re a lucky diner. (Do yourself a favor and grab breakfast on the airy, people-watching patio, too.) 714 Santa Fe Drive in Denver; 303-623-3926 or eltacodemexico5280.com
The Fort
Great steaks are not hard to find in Denver, given our cattle-producing state. But at The Fort in Morrison, you’ll get that plus themed dinners (murder mysteries, or dining in the dark), live performances, cultural events that appreciate the region’s Indigenous culture, and a distinctly Southwestern mood in its adobe castle, which dates to 1961. The Fort opened two years after that, and it remains one of the region’s most culturally- and geographically-rooted dining experiences. 19192 CO-8 in Morrison. 303-697-4771 or thefort.com
Gaetano’s
Denver’s Northside neighborhood, now known as Highland, was once an Italian-food paradise, and businesses like Gaetano’s are some of the only reminders. The tidy red-sauce joint opened in 1947, with a secretive gambling room upstairs, and has changed hands a few times since then. The vibe leans into its actual mob-boss past pretty hard, but there’s no need to puff up the sausage and peppers with cavatelli, or the lasagna with ground beef and sausage. 3760 Tejon St. in Denver; 303-455-9852 or gaetanositalian.com
La Popular
Tamales are the word at this family bakery and tortilleria in central Denver. For the last six decades, they’ve churned out thousands of traditional, red-and-green Mexican tamales every week, but also to-go breakfast burritos, Denver’s best hard-shell tacos, giant bags of hearty tortilla chips, gallons of spicy salsa, and a rainbow’s-worth of immaculately crafted Mexican cookies, brownies and fresh breads — most for 75 cents apiece. 2033 Lawrence St. in Denver; 303-296-1687 or lapopulartamales.com
La Fiesta
The historic building is arguably just as notable as the food, but both hearken to a time of neon-lit streets and wood-grain interiors. Family-owned in Curtis Park since it was founded by Michael W. Herrera in 1963, La Fiesta offers cheap beer, Mexican specialties — they’ve long touted their green chile and chile rellenos — and a well-preserved interior that feels like stepping back in time. 2340 Champa St. in Denver; 303-292-2800 or lafiestadenver.com
Lechuga’s
This humble Italian restaurant, mere blocks from other institutions such as Chubby’s and the prolific tamale-legend La Casita, is known best for its sausage cannolis. Wrapped in puffy dough and a recipe that hasn’t changed since 1961, according to owners, they’re perfect for dipping in marinara and pairing with pizza, spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread and other fresh, made-daily delights. (See also the charming, nearby Carl’s Pizza, which opened in 1953; carls-pizza.foodjoyy.com.) 3609 Tejon St. in Denver; 303-455-1502 or lechugasitalian.com
Mexico City Restaurant and Lounge
Most of the original Mexican restaurants in the area are gone, but Mexico City has held down its spot in what’s now the Ballpark neighborhood in downtown Denver for more than 65 years. The family recipes, set in motion by founders Grandpa Willie and Grandma Esther (as they’re affectionately known), are dominated by the irresistible fried tacos — an office-worker lunch favorite. “For the 8% of you that need a break from Fried Tacos from time to time, we also serve menudo, chili verde, enchiladas, elotes and more,” they write online. We couldn’t have said it better. 2115 Larimer St. in Denver; 303-296-0563 or ilovemexicocitytacos.com
My Brother’s Bar
Along with The Buckhorn Exchange, this endearingly named slab of brick-and-wood is the oldest continually operating bar in the city, having stayed open under various names since 1873 (it received its current one in 1970). It’s long been known for burgers, fries, onion rings and other crispy delights served in plastic baskets with waxed paper. Ice-cold bottles of beer and a surprisingly secluded patio make for perfect summer nights. 2376 15th St. in Denver; 303-455-9991 or mybrothersbar.com
Pete’s Kitchen
Colfax Avenue just wouldn’t be Colfax Avenue without Pete’s Kitchen, which has beckoned all manner of diners since opening in 1962. It offers a wide array of breakfast, lunch and dinner items, and is famous for its hefty breakfast burrito, which you can smother in green chile and top with gobs of shredded cheddar and various perks. Other must-tries include the Greek specialties, cemented by founder and late entrepreneur Pete Contos, as well as a seat at the classic diner counter that hums with an energy like no other. 1962 E Colfax Ave. in Denver; 303-321-3139 or petesrestaurants.com
Peter’s Chinese Cafe
This Congress Park neighborhood favorite — one of just a few solid Chinese restaurants in Denver’s immediate southeast — has been mostly a takeout spot since opening in 1985, with loyal customers cycling through the tiny main room and offering warm smiles to familiar staff. Originally from Hong Kong, founder Peter Chan earlier this year completed the sale of the restaurant to employees, which hopefully means we’ll get many more years of savory chicken, pork, beef and shrimp specials, along with soups, rice dishes, egg rolls and other Chinese-American menu fixtures. 2609 E. 12th Ave. in Denver; 303-377-3218 or peterschinese.com
Pho Duy Denver
The metro area’s surprising bevy of pho restaurants, situated up and down Federal Boulevard and sprinkled heavily across Aurora, would be forgiven for being jealous of the constant attention, awards and business that flows through this peerless Vietnamese beef-broth soup factory. Along with a dozen-plus varieties of traditional pho, it has for more than 30 years (in different locations, it should be noted) peddled best-in-class boba teas, spring rolls, rice-noodle bowls, stir fries and more. 925 S. Federal Blvd. in Denver; (303) 937-1609 or phoduyrestaurant.com
Poppies Restaurant & Lounge
Humble yet lively, Poppies serves dinner and bar favorites of the mid-to-late 20th century with a wide-ranging flair sorely missing in many restaurants. Think steaks and red wine, but also mussels du jour, salmon salad, prime rib, chicken parmesan, seafood, Mexican fare and indulgent desserts. A great place to sample the flavor of Denver — and the restaurant industry’s — upscale culinary past, circa its 1985 opening. 2334 S. Colorado Blvd.; 303-756-1268 or poppiesdenver.com
Sam’s No. 3
Few Denver restaurants are better known or loved than this be-all, end-all downtown institution, with more than 100 menu items that span the entire day’s meals, and then some. Its signature green chile has for years given other locals a run for their money — they sell 60 gallons of the stuff daily — and its red-and-white awning has happily welcomed locals and tourists since 1927, with another location in Glendale. If you see a line outside on weekends, don’t worry: It’s worth the wait. 1500 Curtis St. in Denver; 303-534-1927 or samsno3.com
Wynkoop Brewing Company
A group of friends and business partners built Colorado’s first-ever brewpub in 1988 in the red-brick J.S. Brown Mercantile Building, just across the street from Union Station, and it had the bonus effect of helping turn around an ailing downtown Denver. Plucky geologist-turned-entrepreneur John Hickenlooper, who went on to become mayor of Denver, governor of Colorado and a U.S. senator, was famously one of those founders. But truly, Wynkoop has long stood on its own with a playful and attention-getting tap list (chile beer, a prickly-pear puree beer, an oyster stout and many more traditional flavors) and, oh yeah, it has a solid bar burger, pizza and dinner menu to boot. 1634 18th St. in Denver; 303-297-2700 or wynkoop.com