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Where to Dine and Drink Before a Show at the Oriental Theater

This charming neighborhood venue is positively surrounded by many excellent options for eating and drinking.

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Welcome to Eater's "dinner and a show" series, wherein the experts help you plan your perfect night out - broken down by the city's top notch music venues and the neighborhoods surrounding them.

This week, we focus on West Denver's charming Oriental Theater and the growing neighborhood it calls home. The Oriental is a 1920's era, small to mid-sized venue with a calendar chock-full of local and national musical acts, comedy shows and film/sports screenings. Take your date to one of these fine establishments before your next show.

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Call To Arms Brewing Company

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Easily one of Denver's hottest breweries of the moment, Call to Arms is right around the corner from the Oriental, and the perfect spot to show off your excellent taste in beer to your date before a show.
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Axios Greek Restaurant

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This family-run Greek restaurant is the O.G. of the Berkeley 'hood, and would make for a romantic, Mediterranean-themed date night. An eatery that more often than not takes the cake for the best Greek cuisine in town, and boasts a snappy cocktail program to boot, Axios is a staple in Berkeley. Pictured below is the "Ouzo Sunrise." Opa!
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Hops & Pie

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One of Berkeley's finest, Hops & Pie packs the house every single night with its tap list (easily one of the best in town) and excellent pies. It would be a low-key date spot to fuel up on pizza and beer before dancing it all off at the Oriental. Try to arrive early to avoid the crowds.
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Block & Larder

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Two words: fried chicken. Quite possibly the best pre-game known to man. Everything else on the dinner menu at Block & Larder is also on point, but we find it hard to stray too far from the crispy bird. This would be a great option for a slightly more classed-up pre-show meal.
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The Nip and Sip Neighborhood Lounge

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The Nip in Sip is a quick jaunt up 44th from the Oriental Theater and has an atmosphere with the perfect amounts dive and lounge. If stiff cocktails and moody dive bar vibes are for you, this would be a great destination before or after a show.
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Local 46

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Local 46 is a go-to beer bar for Berkeley residents. It has fun, boisterous vibes and a massive patio for the warmer months. There is often live music at this watering hole - if the band billed at the Oriental doesn't have an opener, seek out your own!
Facebook

De Steeg Brewing

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Another excellent brewery option close to the theater, De Steeg is known for its bold and unique brews as well as fun promotions like trivia night.
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Parisi Italian Market & Deli

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Parisi is located directly across Tennyson from the Oriental and would be a good option for standard Italian fare and wine. The Italian eatery has two components: the Parisi fast-casual unit and the Firenze a Tavola sit-down dining experience. Sweep your date off of his/her feet with Tuscan style cuisine in a romantic setting before laying your dance moves on thick.
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El Chingon Mexican Bistro

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Spice up your night at this bistro serving Mexico City style food, tequila and beer. Cocktails here are a highlight and a great way to pre-game for a show.
Facebook

Atomic Cowboy

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Atomic Cowboy has moved itself and its little sisters, Fat Sully's Pizza and the Denver Biscuit Company, into the happening Berkeley neighborhood. The beer list is always excellent here, the vibe friendly and convivial, and the bar snacks on-point.

Berkeley Untapped

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There is certainly no shortage of good beer flowing in Berkeley. Berkeley Untapped has a killer beer list in addition to kombucha on tap, a great wine selection, whiskey and cocktails. Food is limited at this neighborhood bar, but you and your date will both benefit from the range of drink options before your show.
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BookBar

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Books and booze? Sounds too good to be true!
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Brazen Neighborhood Eatery

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Brazen is the only spot we've included that lies on the opposite side of 38th Ave., but we think it's worth the walk from the Oriental. The menu is thoughtful and the space is intimate - perfect for a dinner date. If you find yourself starving post-show, Brazen serves up a late night menu, in which the ramen is not to be missed and cocktails go on happy hour.
Facebook

West End Tap House

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West End is a great addition to the Berkeley neighborhood. The food menu has options large and small that will surely appeal to just about everyone, as well as a pages-long selection of draughts, bottles and canned beer. Cheers!
Facebook

Swing Thai

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Get your pad thai fix at Swing Thai before boogeying directly across the street at the Oriental. The local chain serves solid thai fare and cheap booze to fuel your dancing fire.
Facebook

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Call To Arms Brewing Company

Easily one of Denver's hottest breweries of the moment, Call to Arms is right around the corner from the Oriental, and the perfect spot to show off your excellent taste in beer to your date before a show.
Facebook

Axios Greek Restaurant

This family-run Greek restaurant is the O.G. of the Berkeley 'hood, and would make for a romantic, Mediterranean-themed date night. An eatery that more often than not takes the cake for the best Greek cuisine in town, and boasts a snappy cocktail program to boot, Axios is a staple in Berkeley. Pictured below is the "Ouzo Sunrise." Opa!
Facebook

Hops & Pie

One of Berkeley's finest, Hops & Pie packs the house every single night with its tap list (easily one of the best in town) and excellent pies. It would be a low-key date spot to fuel up on pizza and beer before dancing it all off at the Oriental. Try to arrive early to avoid the crowds.
Facebook

Block & Larder

Two words: fried chicken. Quite possibly the best pre-game known to man. Everything else on the dinner menu at Block & Larder is also on point, but we find it hard to stray too far from the crispy bird. This would be a great option for a slightly more classed-up pre-show meal.
Facebook

The Nip and Sip Neighborhood Lounge

The Nip in Sip is a quick jaunt up 44th from the Oriental Theater and has an atmosphere with the perfect amounts dive and lounge. If stiff cocktails and moody dive bar vibes are for you, this would be a great destination before or after a show.
Facebook

Local 46

Local 46 is a go-to beer bar for Berkeley residents. It has fun, boisterous vibes and a massive patio for the warmer months. There is often live music at this watering hole - if the band billed at the Oriental doesn't have an opener, seek out your own!
Facebook

De Steeg Brewing

Another excellent brewery option close to the theater, De Steeg is known for its bold and unique brews as well as fun promotions like trivia night.
Facebook

Parisi Italian Market & Deli

Parisi is located directly across Tennyson from the Oriental and would be a good option for standard Italian fare and wine. The Italian eatery has two components: the Parisi fast-casual unit and the Firenze a Tavola sit-down dining experience. Sweep your date off of his/her feet with Tuscan style cuisine in a romantic setting before laying your dance moves on thick.
Facebook

El Chingon Mexican Bistro

Spice up your night at this bistro serving Mexico City style food, tequila and beer. Cocktails here are a highlight and a great way to pre-game for a show.
Facebook

Atomic Cowboy

Atomic Cowboy has moved itself and its little sisters, Fat Sully's Pizza and the Denver Biscuit Company, into the happening Berkeley neighborhood. The beer list is always excellent here, the vibe friendly and convivial, and the bar snacks on-point.

Berkeley Untapped

There is certainly no shortage of good beer flowing in Berkeley. Berkeley Untapped has a killer beer list in addition to kombucha on tap, a great wine selection, whiskey and cocktails. Food is limited at this neighborhood bar, but you and your date will both benefit from the range of drink options before your show.
Facebook

BookBar

Books and booze? Sounds too good to be true!
Facebook

Brazen Neighborhood Eatery

Brazen is the only spot we've included that lies on the opposite side of 38th Ave., but we think it's worth the walk from the Oriental. The menu is thoughtful and the space is intimate - perfect for a dinner date. If you find yourself starving post-show, Brazen serves up a late night menu, in which the ramen is not to be missed and cocktails go on happy hour.
Facebook

West End Tap House

West End is a great addition to the Berkeley neighborhood. The food menu has options large and small that will surely appeal to just about everyone, as well as a pages-long selection of draughts, bottles and canned beer. Cheers!
Facebook

Swing Thai

Get your pad thai fix at Swing Thai before boogeying directly across the street at the Oriental. The local chain serves solid thai fare and cheap booze to fuel your dancing fire.
Facebook

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