The Crimson Room, A New Lounge, To Open in Larimer Square

An elevated club for grown ups is what the Crimson Room seems to want to become: The place where you go after a dinner at Rioja or after a play at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts to party the late into the night. Set behind the red door at 1403 Larimer, the new lounge, bar, and dance club is targeting Denver's elite by igniting the atmosphere of a private club.

The space was previously occupied by Wicked Garden and Hush before that, but a thorough redesign leaves no trace of those past lives. Eric Mandil of Mandil, Inc., in collaboration with owner Brian Sifferman, who also owns Corridor 44, created a space with a vibrant elegance clad in red and accented by comfortable velvet seats, cozy booths, and a social community table across the main bar. A highlight: the 7'6 ceilings with Swarovski crystal pendant lighting and a striking 31' gold flecked Cambria Quartz bar. There is a dance floor, private lockers for "members" of the club who choose to store their special bottles in the venue, and two oversized regal chairs by the main entrance that offer guests a look at everyone who comes in.

The cocktail menu, rooted in what Sifferman calls "efficient mixology" concept, brings back the martini -- and many variations of it -- in a modern way that combines fresh herbs, fruits, and infusions. There are also signature cocktails, house-made barrel aged negroni and bourbon, and a curated selection of wine, champagne, beer, and spirits.

And if a nibble in in the cards, the "cold kitchen" is open for late night treats like caviar, snow crab and shrimp cocktail, pink salt and black truffle buttered popcorn, charcuterie boards and more.

There will be live music, from local DJs to small live bands, ranging in styles from tempo house and jazz to world beats and trance, but don't expect hip hop - that's off the vibe. Part of the vibe intended to be created is the dress code, something the Crimson Room calls "elevated cocktail casual," encouraging its patrons to dress up. Collared shirts or sport coats are required for gentlemen and baseball hats, hoodies, jerseys, flip-flops, sandals, and tank tops for men are prohibited. The elevated style extends to the staff: female cocktail servers will wear an outfits created by a local designer while male staffers wear gray vests, red ties, white shirts and black pants.

What's in the name? "I'm a bit of a music junkie, all over the map really - a metal head who likes to spin backbeats with a hook, hammer on the keyboards, or simply play acoustic guitar," says owned Brian Siffermann.  "I just like to make noise, and I have a red recording studio in my house. When naming the concept (which has a heavy emphasis on good music and a lounge vibe), I looked at a color wheel and it all came together pretty quickly. I love the color red. Women are obsessed with the color red. I'm obsessed with women. I saw red, and "The Crimson Room" just clicked."

The Crimson Room will open on Friday, December 5 with a bash benefitting Bright Pink, a non-profit organization on a mission to save women's lives from breast and ovarian cancer. Ticket prices start at $75 and can be purchased here.

After the opening party, the venue will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.