Needless to say, I was bracing myself a bit. The events I attended in my previous career in the cannabis industry had already confirmed I fell in the lightweight class (at least, among bona fide enthusiasts). Cirrus rolls out the red carpet for lower tolerances, though.
“It's all catered towards heavy consumers,” Cirrus founder Arend Richard says of the current cannabis hospitality scene. “Right now, if you go into most lounges, they expect you to know what you want and how you're gonna consume it. I thought that limited access for the majority. Our target demographic is the mainstream: people who like to go out and have experiences, people who want to spend time with the people they love on a Friday night.”
From a wide-ranging audience to its upscale atmosphere, Cirrus Social Club may have elevated the status quo for cannabis lounges in Denver. Here’s what you can expect when visiting:
Glam Interior
Before Cirrus opened, renderings of its soon-to-be space circulated on social media and appeared in early announcements. That vision for the lounge has largely been realized, including the baby pink Steinway & Sons player piano Richard teased for more than two years.“Imagine you were going to this gay guy's house for a sesh,” jokes Richard, adding that the interior was inspired by his own living room. Created in partnership with Littleton-based design agency Inside Stories, Cirrus comes off as posh and romantic with crystal chandeliers, large botanical paintings, flesh floral arrangements and dim, moody lighting — not to mention a ventilation system that keeps the space from feeling like a hot box.
“A lot of people have used the word ‘luxury,’ but what I was really aiming for was beauty. When you're high, your pupils allow a little bit more light in; things are a little bit more bold and beautiful. I really wanted to create a space where your eyes would be entertained,” explains Richard.
While this is Denver and you don’t have to dress for the occasion, I felt a bit too casual in a sweater and jeans — especially next to other patrons wearing cocktail dresses and suit jackets. Granted, there was a range of styles present, some even more relaxed than my attire choice. There's no dress code at Cirrus, but I’d recommend at least a semi-dressy look to fit the vibe of this visually stunning space. You don't want to be high and self-conscious about what you're wearing.
Ganja Selection
Shortly after being checked in and seated at our white marble two-top, my husband and I were greeted by our “flight attendant,” Danielle. Sharply dressed and sociable, she began by inquiring about our cannabis tolerances on a scale of one through five. I responded conservatively with “2.5,” and was excited to learn that much of the cannabis selection suited my level.“We don't want everyone, like, passed out, which is what I found when I went to Amsterdam last year. The majority of people in the lounges there were just so zooted that they were half-asleep,” recalls Richard, who’s also visited cannabis lounges throughout the United States. “We wanted to create an environment where people get uplifted and giggly, and could still walk out and feel good.”
It was, indeed, a giggly evening that started with a clear bag full of cannabis vapor. Using a Storz & Bickel Volcano vaporizer, I noticed some of the best qualities of PotZero’s Reba strain, a cross between Durban Poison and Fall ‘97. The single bag of inhalable vapor was $8.
Unlike other smoking devices, the Volcano delivered a consistently clean punch of candied citrus and spicy terpenes. Though technically intended for one, my husband and I split the bag and felt a bit hazy, but comfortable and eager to try more.
Next, we opted for a $25 flower flight featuring Cannatonic, a CBD-heavy strain from L’Eagle, as well as Sour Diesel from Meraki and "premium" A5 Wagyu from Green Dot Labs, a Boulder-based operation that Richard describes as the “best in the industry for the last decade.” While the other strains were presented in beautiful crystal vessels, then served in pre-packed bowls, Green Dot’s bud was freshly ground at the table by our flight attendant. It was so sticky that Danielle had to ask another staff member to help uncap the grinder.
We rotated between bowls, this time using the lounge’s heavy, sparkling-clean glass bong. Individual rubber mouthpieces are provided, should you rather not swap saliva with your smoking partners.
Feeling pleasantly toasty, we slowed our rolls and diverted our attention to the provided deck of "Cirrus sesh cards," which include light-hearted dares and conversation starters that range from funny to philosophical. Down the rabbit hole we went, discussing everything from conspiracy theories to whether or not cereal is soup (it isn’t). And, speaking of munchies…
Munchie Menu
While my “stoner” title may be debatable these days, I’m undoubtedly a foodie. I don’t think my tastes are too pretentious (my personal favorite post-joint munchie is a family-sized bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos). But my dining experiences have created a certain picture of what’s “upscale,” and to me, Cirrus effectively communicates that vibe.Some options on its food and drink menu — deviled eggs, charcuterie and crudités, plus zero-proof prosecco and non-alcoholic craft beer — are to be expected given the atmosphere. But other dishes surprised me by playing up the idea of a stereotypical stoner, but with an extra layer of taste.
I started out a bit skeptical, but later in the evening, with my head in the clouds and the cravings kicking in, house-made mini bagel pizzas with gooey cheese and hot honey hit the spot. Priced at $12 for a trio, I scooped up every sticky bite before moving on to its signature $8 peanut butter and jelly sandwich, made with classic white bread and a not-so-classic layer of crunchy Cheetos.
Between bites were sips of the $8 “Charlotte Temple,” a blend of soda, grenadine and more cherry flavor than a classic Shirley Temple, plus a 2.5-milligram THC shot of Keef Cola’s pineapple-flavored soda for an extra $4.20. Though the drink was a touch too sweet and the sandwich, arguably kitschy, no crumbs or sips were left behind.
“Even though Cirrus is a really beautiful place to spend time, cannabis is not to be taken too seriously,” Richard adds. “We don't want it to be so serious that you can't enjoy yourself. We want to put little touches of humor in there.”
Admittedly, I had to chuckle at my initial attitude towards the munchie menu as I chomped away bits of the mocktail’s sugar rim and practically licked the plates. I also had a good laugh when one staff member brought a pepper grinder to another table — it’s the size of a table leg and hilariously unexpected.
The Wrap-Up
Overall, I highly recommend visiting Cirrus Social Club, whether you're cannabis curious or itching for a more public experience. Though its beautiful interior may seem reserved for a special occasion, its price point makes it accessible on a Friday night or pay day for most Denverites — at least, for someone with a tolerance like mine.Alongside the aforementioned options, the cannabis menu includes fast-acting gummies from Wana. Priced at $7 for one and $10 for two, select from Quick Lift which contains 5 milligrams of THC per serving and Quick Calm, which has just 1 milligram of THC per gummy. Soon, the selection will also include additional rotating flower options, as well as concentrates, according to Richard.
To round out its recent $3 million renovation, Cirrus plans to debut an additional event space within its current location. But what it has now checks all the boxes for a fun, cannabis-friendly night out.
Cirrus Social Club, located at 3200 East Colfax Avenue, is open Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m., as well as Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m. Book reservations through OpenTable and learn more at cirrussocialclub.com.
