LoDo just got a few degrees hotter with the highly anticipated opening of STK Denver in its sexy new space Tuesday evening. Brought to the Denver market by The One Group, this opening is their 14th and the first in a mid-size market. Playing on the concentration of bars and nightlife venues in downtown Denver, STK seeks to add a new late-night option to the local urban scene.
British-born businessman, Jonathan Segal, CEO of The One Group has traveled to Colorado for annual ski pilgrimages, passing through our capital city on his way to mountain towns.
"Denver is an ideal example of one of the next capital cities of America," Segal says of the decision to move into the market. Calling it a "microcosm of the U.S.," he points to the business community, social scene, arts and cultural environment and outdoor recreation opportunities that draw a diverse crowd.
Known for its vibe, bumping music, and magnetism for celebrities and professional athletes, STK is social, event-driven and modern, inspired by feminine energy. The 7,000-square-foot space is the final retail lease in the building, shared with Panera Bread and Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill. Bold, decorative elements accent the stark black and white landscape of the spacious eatery, with the bar greeting guests, serving as both a centerpiece and divider to the lounge-like dining room. White leather banquet seats allow visitors to sprawl and socialize with other tables. A DJ booth operates seven nights-a-week, setting the pace with upbeat tunes that fit the locale ambiance. Heavy artwork with darlingly vivid colors are sprinkled throughout the space, with images evocative of Colorado culture and the signature femininity of the brand.
Chef William Tuggle, who most recently had a brief stint at Capitol Hill's White Lies (Black Eye Coffee during the day), brings a menu of market salads; appetizers – such as grilled Spanish octopus and seared La Belle Farms foie gras – shell fish platters; a raw bar; small, medium and large steak options with a variety of preparations; entrees, including a Colorado rack of lamb, and indulgent sides. Much of the menu is consistent across the STK family of restaurants, though local inspirations include bison bone marrow and other cuts from local ranches. The bar menu spotlights a wide selection of locally brewed beers, alongside specialty cocktails and an extensive wine list.
STK will be open nightly for dinner – 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays – and aims to add lunch service this spring.
Opening their first STK in the Meatpacking District of New York City in 2006, the aim of the venue was to put a twist on the traditional steakhouse.
"You can have a good meal at home, use delivery services, or at a fast-casual chain," Segal says. "The taste has to be good, but there's more to dining than just a great meal."
STK proved so popular, the destination has expanded to Los Angeles, Miami, London, Ibiza and more. Additional locations are anticipated in 2017 in the Middle East, elsewhere throughout the U.S. and two restaurants in Puerto Rico.