Champagne Tiger: A Queer-Owned Restaurant that Lives its Mission

This isn’t a rainbow-washed corporate eatery slapping a Pride flag on the wall every June. Champagne Tiger is unapologetically queer every day of the year. It’s baked into the menu, painted on the walls, and woven into the very purpose of the place.

“Champagne Tiger is a platform to showcase Queer excellence,” owner Chris Donato explains. “We want everyone—especially queer folks—to feel seen, celebrated, and fed with intention.”

To that end, the Tiger regularly roars for the community. Fundraisers, queer weddings, engagement dinners, nonprofit happy hours, and birthday blowouts are all part of the rhythm. The restaurant partners with a growing list of local LGBTQ+ organizations, including: Black Pride Colorado, Rainbow Cult, The Center on Colfax, Envision:You, Haus of Other, Yes Please, and OFM. 

C.T. is more than a brunch or dinner reservation. It’s a movement with martinis.

There’s something deeply sexy about a well-made French omelette. At Champagne Tiger, it’s a signature dish—and for good reason. Let’s get into it and talk about that French omelette with shaved truffles (and everything else).

“Our French omelette is thin, not fluffy. It has a soft-scrambled interior and Boursin cheese that melts into this rich, silky bite,” says Donato. “Then we serve it with a local farm arugula salad to balance that richness.” “It’s the kind of dish that makes you put your phone down and say, Oh hell yes!”

But don’t stop there. Chef Josh Hood, formerly of major Tom and Beckon, has created a menu that’s both whimsical and refined. Think Julia Child gets ready for a dinner party with a drag queen.

Menu highlights include:

• Brunch Carbonara – Classic comfort with poached egg drama.
• Oysters & Caviar – Luxe and luscious, for when your inner diva needs pampering.
• Fried Chicken Thursdays – Crispy, juicy, and best paired with live music and bourbon.
• Handmade Pasta Wednesdays – Cozy up with rotating pasta specials and piano music.

There’s also a killer KIMCHI grilled cheese that gets the gourmet treatment, and a burger that could make a grown-ass queen weep. The menu balances indulgence and precision with a wink—and sometimes a rhinestone.

Baby, now let’s talk about cocktails. Every drink at Champagne Tiger feels like it could have its own entrance music. The cocktail list leans into effervescence and playfulness with standout martinis, sparkling wines, and whimsical concoctions that perfectly match the maximalist vibe.

Top picks include:

• Champagne by the glass (or bottle) – Because it’s not just a name, it’s a lifestyle.
• Tiger SPRITZ– AN APEROL, BUBBLES AND GRAPEFRUIT cocktail that might make you purr.
• SLIPPERY WHEN WET – HERBACEAOUS AND REFRESHING, IT’S BEEN ON THE MENU SINCE THEY OPENED 

Whether you’re there for martini lunch Fridays or raising a glass at drag brunch, every sip feels like a celebration.

Denver’s Best Drag Brunch Lives Here

Sundays at Champagne Tiger are sacred—and absolutely outrageous. The drag brunch has quickly become one of the best in Denver, with two seatings (10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) and a lineup that includes iconic performers like Felony Misdemeanor, Anastasia Krystals, Pony, and Anita Goodman, and more. 

There are wigs. There are splits. There are high notes and higher heels. And yes, there are mimosas by the gallon.

Reservations fill fast, so plan ahead or prepare to stalk the patio.

When & Where to Visit Champagne Tiger

601 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
champagnetiger.com

Hours

• Wednesday & Thursday: 4:30 – 10:00 p.m.
• Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. / 4:30 – 11:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Indoor reservations are available via the website. The garden patio is first come, first served—and ideal for sunny sipping or sultry stargazing.

Final Word: This is Not Just a Restaurant. It’s a Revolution.

Champagne Tiger is where old-school glamour meets new-school inclusivity. Where queer identity isn’t just accepted—It’s the foundation. Where you can eat oysters in leopard print, propose over pasta, or toast to your queer bestie’s promotion with a round of bubbles.

This is the future of dining in Denver: vibrant, vocal, visionary—and damn delicious.

So go. Book that table. Order the omelette. Tip your queens. And don’t forget to look fabulous while you do it. 

Meet the Queens

Pony and Anita Goodman have long admired and supported the Drag Community but it wasn’t until 2023 that they both had their first ever Drag Show which was with Champagne Tiger at Sunday Vinyl. These sisters in Drag have since started hosting a monthly show at Champagne Tiger on the first Sunday of every month, while Anita hosts Drag Bingo at XBar on Saturday’s and individually they perform across the city at multiple events and venues. Their unique shows blend their personalities and talents in seamless expression of true queer joy. They are dedicated not only to a good time but work to supporting the whole queer community and have raised over $1,000 for Black Pride through their shows at Champagne Tiger.

Photos by Ivy Owens. Photo shoot assisted by Becky-Duffyhill.