Drink of the Week

Location Info

Venue

Chinook Tavern

Map

Chinook Tavern

265 Detroit St.
Denver, CO 80206

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Central Denver

Photos

Details

303-394-0044

Chinook Tavern, 265 Detroit Street

Related Content

• Pelee Tamarind and French Revival at Lou's Food Bar
  July 19, 2011
• Five places to enjoy a summer drink -- before summer comes to an end
  September 2, 2010
• Real or Fake? Eleven food trends that may or may not exist
  November 11, 2010
• Drink of the Week
  February 17, 2005
• Apple Rosewater Martini
  May 11, 2006

More About

• Skyy Vodka
• German Food and Cooking
• Food and Cooking

I've always been curious about the Chinook Tavern, which is named for the gentle westerly winds that warm the Front Range each winter. So after an early evening of shopping in Cherry Creek, we popped in for a much-needed cocktail. Although Chinook is known for its German food -- as well as the dozen or so Belgian and German beers on tap -- the most popular drink at this airy, garden-level restaurant is the French Martini. Made with Skyy Vodka, Chambord and fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juices, this bright-red cocktail ($8.50) was shaken and stirred to perfection -- and it was exactly what I was in the mood to sip on at that moment. And Chinook was just the place to do it. With its light pine rafters and bright contemporary art, the eight-year-old tavern is definitely upscale but not the least bit snooty: The group of older single men lining the large, horseshoe-shaped bar made us feel more than welcome, so much that I'm definitely going back for one of the $20 wine-and-appetizer tastings that Chinook is offering on Thursday nights through August. While sautéed calf's liver and wiener schnitzel aren't quite my style, Chinook's comfortable atmosphere unquestionably is. Add this one to the "keeper" list.