Martini time
Friday. December is a festive time of year, but perhaps no holiday (even an unofficial one) deserves a bigger party than Repeal Day, which is when the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, ending Prohibition in 1933. The best way to celebrate? At the Cruise Room, which opened in downtown Denver that same day.
The Art Deco martini bar, located inside the Oxford Hotel at 1600 17th St., will be serving 35-cent Heaven Hill cocktails from 4 to 5 p.m. (one per person) during the kickoff to its Great Gatsby-themed “night of glitz and glamour,” organizers said. From 7 to 9 p.m., the Cruise Room will showcase burlesque entertainment, followed by a Gatsby-inspired costume party from 9 p.m. to close. “Expect classic Prohibition-era bites and all the glamour, rebellion, and late-night indulgences that make history worth celebrating.” The events are 21+. Get more information at theoxfordhotel.com/eat-drink/the-cruise-room.
Jazz legend remembered
Friday. Purnell Steen, a local jazz and blues music legend who died on Nov. 18 at the age of 84, had been performing regularly at Denver’s Dazzle jazz club for decades. To honor him, the Five Points Ambassadors will play two memorial shows at Dazzle, 1080 14th St., in December. The first will be the final Friday Lunch Bunch of 2025, on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m. Tickets are complimentary, but RSVPs are required. There is a minimum purchase of two food or beverage items per person. The second show is on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m.
“For over 30 years, Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors have been dedicated to preserving and playing the jazz and blues music of Denver’s legendary Five Points neighborhood,” the band said in a statement, adding that they “miss (Steen) on both professional and personal levels.” Band members include Doug Roche on piano, Ed Stephen on acoustic guitar, Vohn Regensburger on Brazilian guitar, Ron Bland on bass and Bill Larson on drums. dazzledenver.com.
Second draft
Saturday. Old 121 Brewhouse is hosting a party to celebrate the grand opening of its new flagship location, 2010 S. Oak St. in Lakewood, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 6. Activities include a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m.; live music from the Meghan Cave Duo from 2 to 4; and The One and Only Jon Ham from 5 to 7.
But the beer will be the star here: There will be 16 on tap, including collaborations with other local breweries like Milieu Fermentation, Lady Justice Brewing, Palisade Brewing and Paramount Beerwerks. There also will be plenty of non-alcoholic options, including house-made root beer, ginger beer and coconut cream soda. The Pizza Bandit, which has set up a permanent truck on-site, will be serving Neopolitan-style pies.
Tinsel town
Saturday. Like a lot of cities, downtown Denver sparkles more brightly during the holiday season as restaurants, businesses and other venues turn on the holiday spirit. What to do this weekend? You can start in Larimer Square (on Larimer between 14th and 15th streets), which is hosting multiple Larimer Lights events during December. From noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, Santa will be on hand for free photos. You can also enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores, entertainment from the Original Dickens Carolers and seasonal cocktails at pop-up holiday bars from Rioja, Osteria Marco, NADC Burger and Garage Sale Vintage.
Then head over to Union Station to see the lights on the outside and the Miracle pop-up on the inside. Subtitled “Holidays at Grandma’s House, the bar will be located in the lower level Gallery Bar through Dec. 24. “Think cozy corners decked in vintage décor and the scent of spiced cider and gingerbread,” organizers said, as well as “ostentatious holiday embellishments – including Hanukkah décor — and delectable cocktails. Miracle at Union Station will be open from 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays, and 4 p.m. to midnight weekdays. Reservations recommended; make them at unionstation.com.
Martini party; jazz concert; brewery opening
