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The Way Back, a new modern watering hole, is open softly on the edge of the Highland and Berkeley neighborhoods. The three partners behind it — Chad Michael George, Kade Gianinetti, and Jared Schwartz — are veterans of Denver's hospitality industry. Gianinetti bartended at places like Linger and is a partner in Method Coffee Roasters. With Schwartz, he co-owns the American Grind food truck. George, a St. Louis transplant, has worked at Linger and had a long tenure famed speakeasy Williams & Graham.
The official opening is Monday, March 28, but a drink menu that includes cocktails, beers, wines, and sherry and cider is flowing tonight. The food part of the new attraction, focused on hyper local ingredients and simple dishes, is curated by chefs Samuel Charles and Marcus Eng and will launch later in April.
What is the former home of the Bark Bar, set at 4132 W. 38th Avenue, was redesigned by Raw Creative. Some 30+ guests can now be accommodated in the bar and lounge area with additional 30 seats in the dining room. Natural woods, stone hues, and raw materials are given polish by black and gold elements. A signature element of the space is the acrylic back bar mural, designed by Loren Lujan of MASV.
The Way Back will be open Monday through Saturday starting at 4 p.m. Once a month on Sundays, a special Sunday Supper featuring local breweries and distilleries will benefit of various local charities.