What: Jax Fish House
Where: 650 South Colorado Boulevard, Glendale, Colorado
When: Happy Hour is everyday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Don’t Miss: Try the Jax Strawberry Lemonade ($5) or a beer from their great draft list ($1 off all drafts). The Oysters ($1.25 each) and the Peel N’Eat Shrimp ($5) are crowd pleasers.
Let’s face it. I don’t often venture to the suburbs. I live in the Highlands and love that I can walk or bike to some of the best restaurants in the city. I understand, however, that not everyone lives where I do. Even though you might live outside Denver city limits, I know that my suburban readers need happy hour too. And sometimes the thought of braving the I-25 traffic to get downtown is just too much. When you spend the last few minutes of happy hour on the highway instead of sipping a cocktail, that’s a recipe for an Office Space sized meltdown. Luckily, dear reader, every now and then I will highlight a suburban happy hour spot. The first? Jax Fish House in Glendale.
The Glendale location of Jax Fish House opened two months ago in a somewhat hidden location behind the Hilton Garden Inn off Colorado Boulevard. The best part of this restaurant is the building and happy hour is offered throughout. There is a huge downstairs patio and spacious indoor seating. The upstairs bar, named Hi^Jax, really impresses. With seating for over 100 patrons, diners can choose between high top bar seats, a comfy lounge area, and an array of four-top tables. With a view of the mountains and a gigantic fire pit, the Hi^Jax roof top patio is one of the best in the city. I definitely recommend grabbing a seat up here and enjoying the great late summer and early fall weather.
Once you are settled in, I recommend ordering one of the cocktails or a beer on tap. Jax’s cocktails are all vodka centered. The two best are the Jax Strawberry Lemonade ($5) and the Bangkok Fizz ($5). A quick warning, the Bangkok Fizz combines thai chile infused vodka with pineapple syrup, lime, and ginger beer. This drink carries some heat, but it is without a doubt the restaurant’s most complex and flavorful cocktail. I would have loved to see some non-vodka options, but beer drinkers will enjoy $1 off the extensive draft list. Delicious beers like Odell’s Oyster Stout, Avery’s India Pale Ale, and Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pills will satisfy all types. The sangria ($5) was a bit sweet for my taste, but if you enjoy a sweeter drink, this could also be a refreshing option.
The light and refreshing style of Jax’s cocktails works well with their seafood happy hour offerings. The best bets are the Chesapeake Oysters ($1.25 each) and the Peel N’Eat Shrimp ($5). The oysters are meaty and served with a red wine shallot mignonette, cocktail sauce, and a tasty horseradish. The Peel N’Eat Shrimp ($5) packs a lot of flavor and comes with a tasty mustard sauce on the side. The shrimp is a bit of a mess, so make sure to use the warm towels provided to help clean up. Fortunately, the outstanding waitstaff can provide extra if needed.
The food and cocktails at Jax are a solid choice if you don’t feel like making the trek downtown or if you live nearby. But the biggest draw is without a doubt the patio. Whether for happy hour or a great outdoor meal, the Hi^Jax rooftop bar provides a great atmosphere to enjoy our Colorado sunshine.