Can You Top This? Rose Rooftop Pool and Bar Coming to RiNo

Even in landlocked Denver, there are places you can get in the swim.

June 27, 2025

Cheers to another rooftop bar. UP Marketing Group

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Everyone into the pool! Even in landlocked Denver, there are places to take the plunge, and the city's about to get one more that has some very elevated amenities.

Rose & Thorn, a dual-concept hospitality experience, is coming to The Penrose, a new apartment complex at 1740 36th Street in the RiNo Art District.

On July 12, Rose — a 4,000-square-foot space with a reservation-only pool and a blend of indoor and outdoor dining areas and lounges — will open to the public. In addition to that pool, it will have a rooftop bar and a menu geared to an open-air grill.

And then there are the unobstructed, 360-degree views of downtown Denver, the mountains and more: Since the Penrose is sixteen stories tall, this will be the highest rooftop bar in RiNo.

A dedicated elevator will lead to Rose, where poolside seats are by reservation only, with an area set aside for residents of the Penrose. But reservations are not required if you just want to enjoy the views and drink at the bar, which will offer happy hour weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.

And that's not all. Later this summer, the building will open Thorn, a subterranean cocktail lounge at the opposite end of the building (although sharing the elevator) from Rose, with live DJ sets, moody lighting and a curated cocktail menu.

“We set out to create something Denver hasn’t seen: a luxurious, all-day destination that adapts to your mood,” says Ciaran O'Brien, managing partner of Rose & Thorn’s ownership group, Ósta Holdings. “Rose & Thorn is a layered hospitality concept offering a refined atmosphere whether you are looking to relax in the sun or sink into something a little more intimate. Each space stands on its own, but together they create something truly unique.”

Want to stay longer? The Rose Petal, a high-end Airbnb unit, will also debut on the penthouse level of The Penrose this summer. While it operates independently from Rose & Thorn, guests will get VIP access to the rooftop venue’s amenities, including the reservation-only pool.

What's your favorite rooftop bar (with or without pool) in metro Denver? Share a comment or email [email protected].

Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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