Themed brunches have become increasingly popular in Denver, and no other eatery is offering more fun or variety than the Rackhouse Pub. Every Sunday offers something new — and often something nude.
You may be familiar with the Rackhouse’s featured brands, Bierstadt Lagerhaus and C Squared Ciders, which both make excellent products beneath the restaurant's upstairs dining room, or maybe you've stopped in for food and bar games at the RiNo eatery and taproom. But brunch is an entirely different experience, often served on the C Squared production floor.
The brunch menu changes regularly; for the burlesque brunch, it was basic breakfast fare — eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit — so as not to take away from what was cooking on stage. But the French toast almost stole the show, a special creation with crunch from frosted flakes added to the egg-dipped toast. Bottomless (well, almost) brunch rings in at a mere $10, entertainment included, so we won't complain about the lack of variety.
Considering your surroundings, cider and lager are certainly called for; you can mix either with orange juice for hyper-local versions of a mimosa. In addition, any mixed drink can be made at the full bar upstairs. You can also order Bierstadt's lagers in one-liter mugs, but drink quickly: The beer could get warm from the hot, hot performances.
There's plenty of room in the enormous warehouse space (that was once a book-binding company) for giant versions of standard bar games. Beer pong here substitutes cups and ping-pong balls with trash cans and dodge balls, but it's not easy since your targets are so far away. Cornhole is played with bean-bag chairs that you heave at boards that are about five feet tall. Other fun games include giant Jenga and Connect Four.
Past brunches at the Rackhouse have included Bacon Brunch, with bacon-themed food served while Kevin Bacon movies are projected, and Salsa Brunch, with Latin-inspired fare and salsa dance lessons. Upcoming themes include the ’80s and football. "We just celebrated our third anniversary, and now we're really starting to think outside the box," says Chuck Harris, the restaurant's "Ambassador of Fun" (sometimes also known as the general manager).
If the burlesque brunch is any indicator, brunch fans are in for a wild ride.
The Rackhouse Pub, at 2875 Blake Street, serves brunch every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 720-570-7824 or visit therackhouse.com. Hot tip: Since brunch themes rotate weekly, check the Rackhouse Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.