What: Ignite!
Where: 2124 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205
When: Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 3:00-6:00 pm and from 2:00-6:00 pm on the weekends.
Pros: Awesome rooftop seating available even during the winter, tasty appetizers, and a great selection of Colorado craft beers.
Cons: On previous visits service was not up to par, but after a reboot this summer the restaurant seems to have turned things around.
When Ignite! first opened I joined the crowds for the rooftop patio, but honestly the service was hit or miss. Since then I’ve struggled to return. But recently the restaurant has gone through some substantial changes and I’m happy to report I’m a big fan. The always tasty food is better than ever and the waitstaff (and management) have really turned the previous problems around. Now, with consistent service, great beer, and good appetizers, Ignite! has earned recognition as one of my favorite Ballpark happy hour spots.
Whether or not you’re headed to a Rockies game, Ignite! is a solid choice when you have a large groups or the dreaded work happy hour meetings. Happy hour is available throughout the restaurant, bar, and rooftop patio, so there’s always plenty of space. I tried the cocktails and recommend any of the Moscow Mule variations ($5), but Ignite! really shines with its beer selection. Cocktails are all the craze in town, but sometimes you just want a local beer on tap. Ignite! delivers with $3 (yes, you read that correctly!) Colorado draft beers. The list is long and a great value. Where else are you going to get the Great Divide or Boulder Beer seasonal for only $3? I also tried the Ska Brewing Mole Stout which was smoky and dark with just a hint of mole. There’s some wine options and even a margarita, but really, you won’t find a better deal than microbrews at these prices.
Ignite! says they offer fire-crafted comfort cooking and the description is dead on. The happy hour menu is extensive and has some good value options, like the Margherita Pizza ($7) and Classic Burger ($5). But there are some don’t-miss items on the happy hour menu that I much prefer, like the Jalapeño Deviled Eggs ($4). I’m a sucker for good deviled eggs (thanks mom!) and these are near perfect, with a creamy filling, thinly-sliced jalapeño, and topped with Ignite!’s famous bacon. The dish is well-composed and gorgeous on the plate. It’s certainly much more refined than the other stand-out happy hour item, the ‘Man Candy’ ($5). Ignite!’s man candy is actually candied bacon, and it pays homage to all things pig with crushed red pepper, black pepper, molasses, and brown sugar for a sweet concoction that has just the right amount of heat. They used to serve the man candy hot, but it fell into a sticky mess. Now the bacon comes out at room temperature and lives up to its epic name. If you’re looking for bacon at happy hour (and who isn’t?), this is your dish. An honorable mention also goes to the Steak & Cheese Rolls ($5), which combine tender prime rib, cheese, and awesome dipping sauces.
Ignite! proves that I shouldn’t write off restaurants after one or two average experiences. Restaurants change, some for the worse and some for the better. I’m pleased to report that Ignite! is in the latter category. I’ll definitely be back for some bacon and beer, because everyone knows that is a match made in culinary heaven.