Home > Denver Bars & Clubs > Bar Review > Inside: Bar Standard

After viewing the Web site for Bar Standard one might be under the impression that the club is housed in an art deco Empire State Building type structure with searchlights projecting beams of light into the night sky. You’d be mistaken, though. True to its speakeasy motif, the entranceway is low-key and serves to keep the guileful G-men and clueless club-goers ignorant to what goes on within. The only hints to the nature of the place are the words “Bar Standard” etched vertically and almost translucently on a glass pane by the door and a bouncer in black checking IDs. Once gaining admittance, and while definitely not the Copacabana, the steady cam shot from Goodfellas comes to mind as you maneuver stealthily down a long narrow hallway into the belly of this gin joint. Inside, aspirant bootleggers and professional partiers revel in the furtive, clandestine environment.

Décor: Since no one who remembers the teetotalism of the 1920s is showing up at this club, Bar Standard offers their best interpretation of the speakeasy scene: unfinished brick walls, darkened windows and several bars. High backed leather booths tucked away towards the rear provide privacy and comfort though abridged views of the stage. Bar Standard is a similar chameleon to the secretive speakeasies depicted in cinema in that the club has several fronts. In one room, a blind pig. In another, the Juice Joint Lounge (only the punch is spiked). Wallpapered in a blossoming jungle-vine pattern, the low ceiling and light colors provide contrast to the more sinister main room. The bar serves tropical elixirs and earth toned furnishings complete the rainforest vibe. Journey upstairs and two balconies offer a cabana type atmosphere with tables, settees and views of the street and cityscape.

Drinks: Though the prices are 21st century, drinks are served without the blindness by-product associated with bathtub gin. Drink specials can range from $2 PBRs and $3 wells to cut-rate cocktails. And bottle service is available for the Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel types.

Entertainment: For those who thought the erotic arts were popularized through the advent of the videocassette and the internet, au contraire. Ever since the Lumiere brothers first developed the motion picture, connoisseurs of adult entertainment have been committing scantily clad ladies to celluloid. At Bar Standard you’ll find a large screen behind the main stage showing once-considered risqué clips culled from classic films, photo shoots and stage performances. From Betty Page to Jane Mansfield, watch as these buxom beauties from a time when certain things were still left to the imagination philander to the crowd. On the weekends live burlesque dancers offer a 3-D version of the screen stars.

Sounds: The two stages at Bar Standard feature DJs mixing up house, electro, Afro-soul, nu-jazz and indie-electric. Despite the two DJ platforms being within a record toss of each other the sound separation between the main room and the Juice Bar is exceptional. No audio overlap. Not digging what one DJ is throwing at you? Simply switch venues. There are also occasional live musicians and singers.

Service: When the place is not packed the bar staff will take the time to introduce themselves and swap casual conversation. The pretentiousness of some clubs appears to have been repealed along with prohibition at Bar Standard and the service is quick and personable. Though dressed in the attire of the 1920s, the white collarless shirts and black suspenders of the floor staff and velvet rope wranglers appear more Amish than gangster.

Dress Code: The operators of this club realize that this is Denver and not New York City or L.A Your finest attire is requested, but if you can pull off the cool casual look you’re not going to be denied at the door.

Bar Standard
1037 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203
303-832-8628

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