Reader: The Denver cops have gay bars in their sights

Last Friday night, the Denver Police Department did an undercover operation, sending underage police cadets to liquor establishments across Denver where they tried to buy booze. And succeeded in the case of four bars (and numerous liquor stores), all of which were cited for selling to a minor. The bars…

Rockbar will close this weekend after a goodbye bash

Jesse Morreale has decided he can’t fight city hall on two fronts. And so after last call on Saturday, October 27, he’ll close Rockbar, the hipster hangout he opened in the All-Inn, the motel at 3015 East Colfax Avenue that he bought almost seven years ago. Earlier this month, Tom…

Crazy Asian Cafe will reopen as Spicy Ginger Asian Bistro

Crazy Asian Cafe, 290 South Downing Street, has been closed for weeks for what the restaurant’s voicemail message calls “a remodel.” But in reality, the space has been bought by the owners of Sweet Ginger in Cherry Creek, and will reopen as Spicy Ginger Asian Bistro. See also: -Sweet Ginger…

Guess where I’m eating a Vietnamese noodle bowl?

I’ve had better pho, but the staggeringly large Vietnamese noodle bowl, crowned with marinated meats and fresh vegetables, is a marvel to behold — and eat. Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer to the week’s Guess Where posts is entered into…

Exclusive first look: Tom’s Urban 24 opens on Halloween

Ever been to Pete’s Kitchen at 2 a.m.? Packed like Whole Foods on Thanksgiving. Breakfast King at 3 a.m.? Not an empty seat in the house. And given Denver’s love affair with late-night grubbing, you can bet your chicken-fried steak that when Tom’s Urban 24 opens on Larimer Square on…

Denver police sting nabs four bars for selling liquor to minors

The Denver Police Department’s Vice 50 team, working with the District 4 SCAT unit, conducted an underage-compliance operation last Friday, October 19. Out of 53 establishments visited by underage, undercover cadets, nine locations sold them alcohol — resulting in nine arrests for the sale of alcohol to a minor, and…

Reader: Nothing says sexy like jalapeno poppers

After generations as the Border, a beloved University of Denver neighborhood dive that served Mexican food and showed all the games, this space at 2014 South University has been rechristened Merchants Mile High Saloon. It not only has a new name, it has a new look; the new owners are…

La Playa dries up in Centennial

Ever since he left Colorado in 2000 and returned to Texas to finish up college in his home state, it was Israel Trevino’s dream to get back here. In the meantime, though, he opened two outposts of La Playa Mexican Cafe in Harlingen and Austin, Texas — which did well…

Guess where I’m drinking every beer this brewery pours?

One of the beers in the above snap strutted away with a gold medal at this year’s Great American Beer Festival — and it’s not the first time this local brewery has struck gold. And because I stupidly drank every single glass dry, my head was knocking the next morning…

Photos: Sugarlicious stocks scary Halloween treats

Nothing says “Halloween is here!” like skeletal Hello Kitty tins filled with sour-orange, bone-shaped candies. Sure, the candies themselves are nothing more than boring Sweet Tarts, but this time of year, it’s all about the presentation. Sugarlicious, a sweet shop in Cherry Creek, not only has great Halloween atmosphere, but…

Guess where I’m eating shrimp pasta hijacked by parsley?

The pasta was fine — a little one-dimensional, but fine — and the shrimp didn’t justify any complaints, but for the love of 2012, when can we dispense with showering parsley all over our food? Can you guess where I’m eating? Special bonus: Anyone who gives the first correct answer…

Five reasons why banning Flamin’ Hot Cheetos is flaming stupid

Of all the things on the planet to get people’s knickers in a twist, this week it happens to be Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Several public schools in California, New Mexico and Illinois have banned these spicy red snacks, claiming they are unhealthy, germy, messy, addictive and salty. Sure, a tiny…