I’ve encountered many dive bars over the last decade of my adult drinking career. Some are pitiful and disgusting lights shining on the underbelly of American Culture while others are quaint and warm and becoming in a way that makes me want to set up a cot in the back and never leave. I love both types for and everything in between. Pubs and Mom and Pap bars are where bands and comedians get their start. Hell, the American Revolution was probably brewed up in some shit-hole bar in New England. Anyway, you shake it, dive bars are the type of watering holes are where I prefer to have a strong drink. In a recent adventure with my friend Brandon, I found one of those inviting and cozy dive bars called Edgewater Inn.
The barroom was pleasant and kitschy and appealing in a “Cheers” kinda way. The dark vinyl booth seats fit the scene perfectly. TVs are adequately located around the bar and seating area. Edgewater Inn would be a fine establishment to watch a football game at.
Edgewater has had a rearrangement of the population since I was a kid. New businesses are moving into this neighborhood of Denver and houses are getting flipped. Edgewater Inn has been a staple in the neighborhood since 1953. In other words, there are a whole lot of white people moving into this area and with that comes good and bad characteristics. Hipsters and strollers are prevalent these days in Edgewater in comparison to when I was growing up in the Denver area.
After we sat down a young waitress asked us if we would like something to drink, and, of course, we did. A hefty round or three of light beer sounded like the solution to all the problems we faced on a warm day in Middle America. We had to choose between a pint, a “Schooner” or a pitcher of beer. Until that moment, I had no idea what the hell a Schooner was, but I ordered one anyway. A schooner is a 21oz goblet-like glass with that is primarily used for German wheat beers, but this is America and we ordered Bud Light in the glass.
I’m sorry if using traditional German glassware for Bud Light brings shame upon my family but I can’t help that I didn’t know and I just impulsively ordered it.
We decided to order their Chicken Alfredo pizza with Canadian Bacon. The beer went down easy in the heavy schooner as we talked about the prospects of the Broncos and the shit show weeks that lay ahead. It wasn’t looking good for the Broncos but the prospect of food made everything alright.
When the pizza arrived we were both famished and ready to destroy the chicken alfredo masterpiece that lay carefully in the center of the table. I ordered another beer before I was done with the first. Sunday’s are the day of the week where you shouldn’t pile on the booze but you do and it’s always a good decision.
Slice after slice went down the hatch. The crust? Crispy. The style? Unique, piled high with toppings and almost excessive amounts of wonderful cheese. I loved every goddamn bite. It reminded me of the pizza my Paps would make for the family on movie Fridays when I was a kid. I ordered one more schooner for good measure and lay dormant in my food coma.
We left Edgewater Inn appeased, full to the brim and in need of some proper rest in front of a TV. This little dive hits the mark pretty well in a world of stiff competition. Their pizza is scrumptious, their schooners are cold and who doesn’t love a clean approachable dive bar? Cheers!
The Denver Hopper Notes:
They do banquets and take reservations. Check out their website for more. Cheers!
Edgewater Inn
Website: edgewaterinn.net
Address: 5302 W 25th Ave, Edgewater, CO 80214
