How does one start a review for a bar and restaurant called, There…? Especially since there was no sign out front as I walked up to the address 3245 Navajo St. It looked more like an oddly placed corporate office for a yarn company than a bar. Now that I think about it, I never remember the addresses for bars, restaurants or hospitals, but this one I do, just from memory. Holy Shit! Maybe the owners are on to something? Maybe this isn’t a new idea and I’ve had my head in the sand like an ostrich for too damn long.
Either way, at first it felt like nothing was “There…”, but the fear resided after walking inside. A quick and pleasant staff full of skinny and beautiful people helped us immediately. They had warm hipster like smiles. Earlier in the week, a friend made reservations and she was already sitting at a table. I sat down across from her and waited for the other two friends to show up.
The conversation started off with a quick assessment of how she came to choose the place. And just like many other decisions Millenial’s make, it was based off a Facebook ad, a cool looking menu followed by a little bit of research and a lust for variety in life.
A gentleman in a beanie gave us the low down on their craft cocktail menu. All of the choices sounded delicious: “Jam Cocktails” where you pick a type of jam and pair it with liquor. “Shaken” drinks that resembled martini’s but without the sting of vodka or gin. There was also a secret “Black List” and I will let you look at for yourself. I went with the “Grapefruit” on the Shaken side of things – a boozy little gesture of grapefruit juice, vodka, and a dash of lime skin. Christ, it was tasty, smooth and as dangerous as a handjob on the bus, from a stranger. My friend ordered the “Bellini Martini” and we moved forward into the night.
The other two showed up and the “we-don’t-see-each-other-enough-conversation” rolled on through. Two different drinks were ordered by the new arrivals: a “Bitter Mango” and a “Spiced Apple”. We all shared a sip of our drinks and whatever bacteria we were harboring. All four cocktails were poised to be devoured. And they were well worth the money, but the “Spiced Apple” gave me the same rush of emotion that my first make-out session did back in Junior High.
An onslaught of topics popped against the sound of a moving and breathing bar. We chatted on about how one of us had to bail a person out of jail at a concert. Of course, love-life recommendations thrown around with discussion on the finer facts of recent regrets or hookups. Down the sidewalk of life, we went, talking of our stumbles, shining the bright light of friendship on each other’s faces while drinking fine cocktails under the dim lights of the bar.
The decorum of the place was inviting and simple and modern. The Asian-influenced menu was explained to us and it doesn’t tell you everything. Some of it lay in the mystery of just going in and experiencing what the chef is making that day.
I had pork belly skewers to myself and we shared an elk grain bowl with and a plate of Kobe steak on top of a salad. This isn’t a food review so I will just say we dined like gods in There…
The drinking ended there. It was a school night. Most nights don’t stop at that, but my wallet and liver told me otherwise. My thought for you, Denver Hopper, is that There… is a great place to gather under the guise of easy living and eating in a painstakingly fast world. It isn’t a cheap place to eat, mind you, but it isn’t overpriced either. Good friends, tasty food, and libations are the lifeblood of a solid night out. There… offers it all – well, except for the friends – you have to bring those, and There… will take care of the rest.
There… in Highlands
Website: therebars.com
Address: 3245 Navajo St, Denver, CO 80211