Highland Tavern in Denver, CO

Here’s the next installment of what I think of as the “Denver Suite”, a series of blog posts about my trip to Colorado last June. To date, I brought you a post about Loveland, CO, the Queen Anne BnB, and then Mo’Betta Gumbo restaurant last week.

One thing before we get started: PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to the blog (see the subscription bar at the top of the blog and the form at the right). Subscribers will get a chance to buy my new ATFT apron and luggage tag at a deep discount before I announce them on the blog. ALSO, I will be announcing my new book in a couple of weeks! Instead of a cookbook this time, it’s a collection of the Photos for No Apparent Reason from each 2015 blog post. All these items truly make good holiday gifts!

This week I’ll tell you about the Highland Tavern in Denver, a place I’d seen on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives TV show. It’s definitely a tavern, housed in an old brick building, complete with Rosie the Riveter PBR mural and Coors engraved above the door.

highland-tavern-pbr

highland-tavern-coors

The surrounding area is Denver’s original suburb, established by wealthy residents long before 1930. Thanks to waves of immigrants and ethnic groups, the LoHi (Lower Highland) neighborhood has come to have the best dining and bar scene of the city, according to some. This after some time spent as a bad neighborhood that was then gentrified most recently.

Highland Tavern’s building dates from around 1900 and the beer joint is the latest in a long line of taverns that have occupied the digs. In fact, the Coors sign above the door is a holdover from the Coors Tavern of the 1940s. Of course, it has been totally renovated inside for the latest inhabitants.

The food is bar fare, and really good bar fare at that. The service was friendly and fast. My husband and I started out with their famous Tavern Tots, looking like hushpuppies and tasting a little like fried mashed potatoes. They are very popular, but we thought they could have been fresher.

highland-tavern-tots

The other item we’d seen on DDD was the pork rinds. They make them from scratch, something I’d love to try but it’s time-consuming and involves a dehydrator and lots of time. But we let Highland take care of all that this time.

highland-pork-rinds

They were fresh, hot and spicy! They made up for the disappointing tots.

And my Tavern Burger was perfectly cooked and very tasty.

highland-denver-burger

My husband’s Tavern Dip sandwich was luscious and enormous and delicious.

highland-philly-cheese

We each enjoyed a draft beer…

highland-beer-on-tap

…from the many on the menu.  highland-draft

We liked the Highland Tavern so much we went back a second time. And my husband has been there a third time on a business trip. So, yeah, I recommend it. I’m looking forward to returning to the tavern and also exploring the neighborhood for more troughs and watering holes.

Photo for No Apparent Reason:

baldspot

3 thoughts on “Highland Tavern in Denver, CO”

  1. Thanks for the tip Karren-If I ever get out that way again, I will be sure to
    Drop in”! Sounds delightful!

  2. When I read your blog every weak I feel more and more transferred back to your country.
    I begin to remember my own experiences in several pubs and restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you!

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