The Five Club: Williams & Graham, Coohills, Tacos Tequila Whiskey

Take one part location, one part concept, one part cuisine, one part service, one part ambiance, and still there’s no fool-proof recipe for a successful restaurant venture. No matter how glamorous it may appear, the industry is puzzling, at the very least. According to an article published by CNBC earlier this year, roughly 60 percent of new restaurants fail within the first year, while an alarming 80 percent close before their fifth birthdays.

All the more reason for us to revel in the achievement of the four following restaurants, each that have hit their five-year mark within the month. So here we celebrate and congratulate the Denver staples below.

• Williams & Graham – When the bookcase inches open, the warmth of the dark-walled room, the hum of intimate conversation and the joy of the spirits as they’re both prepared and imbibed, that hour or two you waited seem to evaporate. Racking up national accolades, including earning the Best American Bar at the Spirited Award, Williams & Graham has significantly raised the bar on both our local and national cocktail scene. For its fifth anniversary, the team celebrated Sunday, Nov. 20, from 8 p.m. until midnight, featuring alumni bartenders, including Allison Widdecombe, Chad Michael George and Sam Johnson. Each hour of the evening had different featured consumable concoctions, from a daiquiri to a Rob Roy.
• Coohills – This sophisticated French-fare focused eatery has grown up since its beginnings in 2011. With a animated bar scene, crisp and modern decor, and upscale, but innovative menu, Coohills is both romantic and hip all at once. For its fifth festivities on November 12, chef-owner Tom Coohills and his team served five courses and five paired wines in an exclusive meal, including blue crab cakes, loup de mer, porchetta with chestnut risotto and apples, and finally a Manjari chocolate flourless cake with roasted pear ice cream and salted caramel.
• Tacos Tequila Whiskey (City Park) – Celebrating the birth of its second location – technically the food truck would have been the first – with its cheeky undertones and its tacos that are small at simple, but by no means lacking in power or punch, Tacos Tequila Whiskey (or Pinche Taco) offers modern Mexican specialties without apology and plenty of tequila as accompaniment. On Monday, October 31, the City Park venue hosted an anniversary party with drink specials, including but not limited to an ice luge, liquor locker giveaway, food specials and birthday cake.
• Lone Tree Brewing Co. – Bringing craft beer to the southeastern suburbs of Park Meadows, two home-brewing enthusiasts started this venture back in 2011, with a family-friendly taproom. Since, they’ve brewed an array of beers and a thirsty following. For their anniversary, a three-day jamboree is on deck from December 8-10, with a variety of festivities listed on the Facebook page. The activities include a retrospective tour with a guided beer tasting and step into the future of LTBC, and a soiree filled with moments to clink glasses and say cheers.