Hipster foodies find a haven at Euclid Hall Bar and Kitchen. Hidden at 1317 14th St. around the corner of Denver’s premier culinary district Larimer Square, Euclid Hall nails it with both its menu and atmosphere, and the staff definitely knows it.
Euclid Hall is the third restaurant from the team of Jennifer Jasinski and Beth Gruitch, owners of the award winning Rioja and Bistro Vendôme, both Larimer locations which the hipster community already seems to fawn over.
The historic building’s rustic exposed brick walls and glassy archway entrance are reminiscent of a roaring twenties speakeasy. Upon entering, diners stand in a double decker atrium room with geometric iron light-bulb fixtures. Any anachronistic hipster will fit in with the vibe of the building – modern but vintage.
Euclid Hall’s mood setting playlist ranges from mellow down-tempo to classic hip-hop and reggae. With Sublime, Thievery Corporation and A Tribe Called Quest in their nightly playlist, it appears Euclid Hall knows that revitalizing those nostalgic 90’s jams puts the hipster in their happy place.
Initially, the staff may come off as pretentious and indifferent, a vibe that was amplified by a long wait and five open tables that were allegedly “saved,” even though the restaurant doesn’t take reservations. It took bugging the host-staff to finally get seated after a nearly forty minute wait. But, any true hipster knows that exclusivity equals desirability, right? After being seated, however, the service definitely seemed to warm up, and the there was no delay on getting the meal.
While the atmosphere is an excellent complement, the food is the true centerpiece of Euclid Hall. The menu is meat-n-seafood-centric, with Euclid’s specialty being different types of sausage. So veggies beware, the menu is protein heavy. The title over the salad section proclaims, “because we have to…”. Apparently, when a diet of coffee and cigarettes suffices, greens are a no go. Salad is for those who care, right? But the selection of cheeses used throughout the menu would impress even the world’s ultimate hipsters – the French.
The extensive menu features reinvented versions of tavern classics like po’boys, chicken and waffles and brat burgers. Euclid Hall also offers an array of seafood including raw oysters, steamed mussels and scallops. The menu also sports a tempting section of “poutine” French-fry based dishes that are basically Carlton to the Fresh Prince’s chili-cheese fries.
Each perfectly portioned plate is presented with care, so there is little to criticize when it comes to the meal. Ordering will present a battle of cravings, as every plate sounds appealing.
Connoisseurs will be delighted by an extensive collection of craft beers from nearby breweries and around the nation, as well as a long wine list. Mysterious cocktails coined “Unicorn Tears” and “Mitten Kittens” were priced around an unfortunate thirteen dollars. Almost worth it, but then again, is one cocktail ever worth over ten?
If indulging in the whole shebang, expect to pay around $30-40 including tip, on your own. It’s possible to escape full and happy with a drink and a meal for around $20, if careful.
Open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner nightly, Euclid Hall is ideal for students, couples, LoDo club-goers and anyone looking for a casual but classy night out. The crowd is a trendy mix of people from professionals young and older, bearded musician-types and of course plenty of well-dressed females.
So when you head over to 14th Street for your metropolitan meal, be sure to allot yourself plenty of time to eat, drink and absorb the aura of every chic detail that Euclid Hall has to offer.
