All photography by Kyle Cooper

All photography by Kyle Cooper

What: A modern ode to prohibition with plenty of whiskey and a menu filled with reimagined comfort foods.

Where: 2907 Huron St., Denver

Neighborhood: Prospect Park

When: Open 11:00am-2:00am Monday-Friday, 9:00am-2:00am on weekends with brunch available Saturday & Sunday 9:00am-1:00pm

Pros: For whiskey newbies and enthusiasts alike, this place is a must. Not sure where to start? Grab a whiskey flight and an order up an item off the “sharable” section of the menu.

Cons: This neighborhood is on the rise, and the ongoing construction can make parking a bit of a pain. Instead of driving, try to take advantage of the B-Cycle station nearby.

Since quietly opening two months ago in Denver’s up and coming Prospect Park neighborhood, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot has steadily built a loyal following. And for good reason. Developed by the same team that’s behind Denver’s popular Tavern locations as well as the Soiled Dove and Cowboy Lounge, this restaurant has a vibe all its own. If you haven’t checked out this new whiskey-fueled eatery yet, here’s why you should arrange a rendezvous ASAP.

The Atmosphere

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot,

All photography by Kyle Cooper

Like the name itself (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot = WTF) this restaurant has a playful edge. The overall ambiance is all about paying homage to the prohibition era while maintaining a modern feel. Large screens display rotating black and white images of prohibition facts and photos and the expansive bar made from concrete is the perfect example of how the décor here blends industrial with contemporary accents.

Upstairs, a large patio sits ready for warm summer days while inside, big comfy booths are begging you to sit down and relax a while. If you do, you’ll have time to notice all the details that make this restaurant distinctive: the light fixture made from a maze of old pipes, the foxes emblazoned on the barrels where cocktails are aging along the bar, and the giant buffalo head* that watches over the stairway to name a few. It’s a bit of whimsy, but done in a subtle enough way that it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. Fancy enough for a date night but approachable enough for happy hour debauchery, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot has a universal appeal built into its one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

*Contest alert: Name the Buffalo! Stop by Whiskey Tango Foxtrot now through March 22, 2015 and submit your name idea for the chance to win a $100 WTF gift card.

The Food

WTF collage 2

Serving up comfort food with a sprinkle of innovation and creativity, the menu here is filled with dishes that have “crave-able” written all over them. Thankfully, the execution lives up to expectations. With the help of Justin Brunson (Old Major, Masterpiece Deli) who aided in the menu development, the kitchen crew at Whiskey led by Executive Chef Georgia Torres is churning out dish after dish of satisfying eats.

A luscious, classic burger with white American cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato and “secret sauce” (the sigature Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Burger) served on a toasty English muffin? Check. An Ice Cream Sammy made with two layers of frozen cookie dough hugging a layer of vanilla ice cream (a.ka. HEAVEN)? Check. From fresh salads like the zesty, ginger-spiked Asian to “shareables” like the creative replacement for the all-too-common buffalo wing: the smoky, chipotle Pork Wings, it’s tough to go wrong when ordering here.

But definitely don’t miss the signature Foxtrot Fried Chicken. Made with juicy, boneless thighs instead of the typical (and usually dry) breast and served with bread & butter pickles and a honey sriracha sauce, this is everything fried chicken should be.

Plus, WTF is open for weekend brunch, and starting in April, every Sunday is Pajama Brunch day – wear your (publicly appropriate) PJ’s and get 10% off your bill and a complimentary Bloody Mary, mimosa or draft beer. Rewards for staying in your pajamas? Yes, please.

The Booze

WTF collage

As the name implies, it’s all about the whiskey here. From rare, expensive choices like Pappy Van Winkle to local favorites like Dancing Pines, WTF has got a whiskey for anyone – over 90 in fact. Not sure where to start? Order up a flight – choose from local whiskeys, American favorites, or the Scottish tour and you’ll get three pours presented to you along with all of the info you could possibly need from WTF’s knowledgeable bartenders. Beer flights are also available if you’d rather sample one of the rotating selection of 30 craft beers.

If straight whiskey isn’t your go-to, dive into the cocktail menu featuring custom creations from the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot team . There are plenty of whiskey and bourbon forward selections, but one stand out is ideal for even non-whiskey lovers. The Tall Drink of Water, a mix of Leopold Bros peach whiskey, St. Germain, lemon juice and peach bitters, goes down easy and is as refreshing as it gets.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot is also creating a rotating selection of barrel aged cocktails which will be served straight from the fox-emblazoned barrels that sit over the bar. Or, just fully indulge with a boozy milkshake. But even though there are plenty of libations to choose from, you don’t need a buzz to fall in love with Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

All photos by Kyle Cooper.