Colfax's Bar Red Renovates Historic Space and Cuisine

Though Zach Young's creation, Bar Red opened only ten months ago, its Mediterranean-influenced menu has now been revamped and elevated to better emphasize Young's heritage and the ever-popular northern Italian cuisine.

Whether it be for a high-quality grab-and-go lunch or a casually romantic dinner, the new menu at Bar Red has something to ignite the Italian in everyone. One favorite is the bright Roasted Beet Bruschetta, with lemon zest, lavender honey and arugula. Bar Red's twist on the classic Meatball Sandwich is also quickly gaining in popularity.

Apart from updates and improvements to the cuisine, Bar Red also updated the historic brick building, which has been both a brothel and a bootlegging site during Prohibition. Grammar of Ornament, the designer behind the new space, sought to accentuate the Denver roots and history of the "very haunted" building.

Guests can extend their stay beyond dinner service to experience Bar Red's speakeasy-style bistro setting, when the lights go down and bar manager Tomasz Tomczyk showcases his talent. Timing is everything: Bar Red's half-priced beer, wine and spirits can't be beat; happy hour spans from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.