Where: Williams and Graham, 3160 Tejon St, Denver, CO
What: One of the coolest places to booze it up in Denver
When: Daily from 5pm-1am
Recommendation: Best seat in the house? At the bar. The bartenders muddle, crush, strain, shake, and saw on big blocks of ice. I could watch them all night. Get there early because there are only 14 spots for the best seats in the house.
Williams and Graham is a speakeasy in LoHi that is doing cocktails right. Everything. I repeat, everything is hand made in this joint. Even the ice cubes. If you are a connoisseur of cocktails, this has to be your stomping ground. They are the best cocktails that I’ve ever had.
When you walk in the front door, you are immediately transported into another time period. The miniature lobby resembles a book store with an old fashioned cash register as the focal point. You hand over your driver’s license and your name gets written down on a little card. Moments later the book shelves part and your name is called. You walk back through a dark hallway and your eyes take a moment to adjust. When they do, you are in the 1920’s. Everything is dark wood simplicity, the cocktails are the décor in this dark back room bar.
The bar is where the action is, but there are a few booths that would be perfect for a date. You better get reservations though, they are coveted quiet nooks with high backs built for canoodling.
The organization of the menu makes it a breeze to order a cocktail that includes your favorite spirit. But don’t miss the the house specials on the first page! You may just walk away with a new favorite spirit of choice. Drink names include The Grape Gatsby, Four Leos (one of the booziest cocktails!), and The Garden Party, and they are all are filled with the freshest ingredients that are sure to wow you.
Williams and Graham supports a number of local spirits behind the bar, so look for your Colorado favorites on the menu! I love a place that stimulates and supports the local economy.
Order these cocktails when you stop in:
Manhattan: A classic made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. But I’ve never tasted one like this before. The black cherry smacks your tongue with flavor, not sweetness.
D-Swizzle: Lemon Hart Demerara rum, lemoncello, W&G orgeat, fresh lemon juice, Angostura bitters, Peychaud’s, bitters, W&G ginger beer. They obviously make their ginger beer in-house. Holy Moly. This drink is phenomenal. $11
My favorite cocktail? Blackberry SageSmash: This delicious and beautiful drink is hand crafted with muddled fresh blackberries, Single Barrel Knob Creek Bourbon, Fresh Sage, lemon, and sugar. It’s not very sweet and has tons of flavor. It’s herbaceous, tart, smokey, and refreshing. $10
There isn’t any drink specials or happy hours, but that doesn’t stop the crowds from coming for pricey libations. No one seems to mind the price tag because they pour heavy, and they pour quality. You can’t put a price tag on quality.
They also serve a menu with bar snacks like deviled eggs with capers and tarragon, Spanish olives, and potato chips with house seasoning. Their small plates have an array of veggie and salad options as well as meats and cheeses, and meatloaf toasts. I love a good sandwich, and they offer a variety including: veggie, pork, shrimp, and steak. Everyday they have two entrees available to order for dinner so ask your server what’s cookin’. This place oozes cool in every way.
Photos by: https://www.facebook.com/DesignerCrystalRhea
I love Williams and Graham, go in and try it today!
Photos by: DesignerCrystalRhea