What: The Walnut Room
Where: 3131 Walnut Street
When: Open 11 a.m. to midnight. Sunday through Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Happy Hour: 3 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For more info: Visit thewalnutroom.com.
About the place: Before this area became the hip, restaurant-filled neighborhood it is today, the RiNo Art District contained only a handful of restaurants and music venues. The Walnut Room was one of them. Opened in 2005 by John Burr, it served pizza and bar fare, and regularly offered live music. In 2016, former general manager Leslie Munson and former executive chef Jonah Munson (they're married) took over ownership.
The Walnut Room remains a cozy neighborhood bar with wood paneling, a dramatic mirrored bar and three patios (one in the sun, one covered, and one a pup-friendly, umbrella-filled spot). The music is largely gone, though. When COVID hit, hosting live acts in such a small venue was not feasible, even as restrictions loosened. "It just didn't work," says Leslie.
So when a friend and beer rep suggested that the Munsons partner with him and invest in a virtual golf simulator, they signed on. Since January 2022, the Back 9 at the Walnut Room has hosted business gatherings, bachelor parties and other groups looking for a private space with a simulated golf game.
"I'd rather have people in the back room having fun than have it sit empty," Leslie says. "But we're trying to keep the music alive somewhat."
In fact, the Walnut Room hosted music on its patios throughout the summer, when a rotation of local bands played every Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening. While the music is done for this season, it will pick up again next summer, and Leslie says that she's thinking of extending the 2023 calendar into the fall.
Appetizers including this cheesy bread are $2 off during the Walnut Room's daily happy hour.
Kristin Pazulski
The Walnut Room also offers quarterly specials, which currently include a shredded beef quesadilla, a Cobb salad, a Hawaiian teriyaki chicken sandwich and a pot roast four-cheese pizza (prices range from $9.75 to $29.75). The quesadilla is the perfect solution if you're craving a burger but just aren't a big burger eater. There are weekday lunch specials, too, including a pizza slice and soda or PBR for $6. During happy hour, PBRs are just $2, while you'll get $1 off drafts and $2 off all appetizers, house wines and wells.
In addition to mules, martinis and other classics, more creative cocktails include Listen to your Elders, a gin, elderflower and champagne cocktail served in a metal martini-shaped cup. A house favorite is the Root Beer Barrel, with root beer schnapps dropped into a few ounces of PBR for $5. Since part-owner Jonah is an IPA buff, hoppy beer lovers can expect the ever-changing tap menu to include something they'll love.
Leslie has been working at the Walnut Room since 2009, following all the changes in RiNo over the years. There are more people visiting the area, but there's also more competition. And although Walnut Street was recently converted from a one-way to a two-way street, the Walnut Room is still a bit off the beaten path compared to busy Larimer Street. "Surprisingly, so many people don't know we're here," she says.
But they should!
Get a taste of the Walnut Room's fare at Westword's Feast at the McNichols Building on Thursday, November 3. Get more info and tickets at westwordfeast.com.
