What if your next night out wasn’t just about the cocktails but about a challenge? At Rook, the new rooftop bar at Denver’s Catbird Hotel, every drink comes with a side of competition. Whether you’re locked in a fierce backgammon showdown or sneaking sips between rounds of poker, this is a place where brains meet banter and the party never plays by the rules. Rook turns the classic rooftop experience into a playground for strategy, shenanigans and seriously good cocktails.
“We saw the rooftop at Catbird and knew it had to be something bold—something that didn’t feel like every other bar in Denver,” said Jessica Werner, Chief Creative Officer at Sage. “From the start, we were drawn to the tension between smart and mischievous: the idea of pairing games with sharp cocktails and letting a little chaos unfold. ‘Strategy and shenanigans’ became our North Star. Rook is a rooftop clubhouse gone rogue: clever, confident and never too serious.”
Gameplay is central to the experience—think card games, pool, Scrabble and chess—not to crown champions, but to spark connection. “We built Rook for real, slightly-competitive connection,” explained Lex Werner, Rook’s General Manager. “Games get people off their phones and into conversation. Whether you’re slamming dominoes or arguing over the rules of Uno, the only score that matters is how long you can keep the night going.”
The beverage menu is just as playful. “At Rook, debates are won over cocktails, victories are toasted with highballs and the best blows come with sharp comebacks—not fists,” expressed Lex. “We wanted drinks that are smart, subversive and just a little cheeky.”
Highlights from the current cocktail lineup include the Into the Bucket, made with Altos Blanco tequila, pickle brine, agave and lime; the smoky Under Pressure, with Montelobos mezcal, coconut, amari blend, bitters and salt; plus frozen Dirty Gin Martinis and Espresso Martinis. Shareable options like Sangria and John Daly (iced tea + spirit of choice) are already hits with groups. Rook also features a fun shot menu—with an optional Hamm’s sidecar—and a thoughtful non-alcoholic list, including the Like a Virgin, made with Dr. Zero amaro, hibiscus, peach, lemon and soda.
The food menu channels late-night nostalgia, designed to fuel games without interrupting them. “We didn’t want food that slows down the game—we wanted food that fuels it,” Lex said. “Walking tacos, a perfect hotdog, late-night grilled cheese—it’s snackable, shareable and just messy enough to be fun.”
It’s atmosphere is far from an afterthought. “We set out to design the kind of rooftop that feels like stumbling into the best house party you weren’t invited to—but wish you had been,” Jessica explained. Designed by Sage Studio, the look leans into “vintage irreverence,” with mismatched plaid, cheeky signage and curated clutter. “You might find a half-finished chess set talking trash or a trophy no one remembers winning,” she said. “It’s not glossy or buttoned-up—it’s lived-in, confident and full of surprises.”
That offbeat energy carries through the night. “Early in the evening, it’s game setup and casual drinks,” Lex said. “But once the sun dips and the shots come out, things take a turn—in the best way. Strangers become teammates, stories get louder and no two nights at Rook are ever the same.”
As a rooftop extension of the Catbird Hotel, Rook is designed to stir things up. “If Catbird is where you settle in, Rook is where you let loose,” Jessica commented. “RiNo’s always drawn the thinkers and makers—we wanted to create a space that’s just as creative, but totally unfiltered.”
With its irreverent energy, smart cocktails and built-in fun, Rook is poised to become RiNo’s most unpredictable new hangout.
And this summer, there’s no shortage of ways to play. Rook’s weekly lineup of “shenanigans” includes:
Guess Who Tournament Nights
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
The Lowdown: Featuring custom Celebrity Guess Who boards full of pop culture icons and infamous party legends.
Scrabble Nights
When: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
The Lowdown: Where wordplay meets competitive cocktails
Beat the Bartender
When: Thursdays, all night
The Lowdown: Challenge a bartender in trivia or Yahtzee—win, and the drinks are on them.
Summer “Pool Parties”
When: Sundays, all day
The Lowdown: Billiards, dive bar cocktails and DJ sets.
Rook is located at 3770 Walnut St., Denver. Its hours are Monday – Wednesday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., Thursday – Friday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday 3 p.m. – 12 a.m. and Sunday 3 – 10 p.m.
All photography courtesy of Rook