One venue was in full bloom. The other prepared to burn. During Denver Pride’s Cocktails & Cunt: Queer Bartender Showcase, Lady Jane in Denver’s LoHi neighborhood welcomed guests with flower crowns, handcrafted cocktails, and drag performances, while just down West 32nd Avenue, Occidental stood ready to host Burn, the evening’s second chapter, once the festivities at Bloom came to a close. 
Held Tuesday, June 23, Cocktails & Cunt: Queer Bartender Showcase highlighted an often-overlooked part of Denver’s LGBTQ+ nightlife: the bartenders behind the city’s handcrafted cocktails. The event celebrated Denver’s queer bartending community by inviting local bartenders to step out from behind the bar and into the spotlight. Throughout the evening, each featured bartender showcased signature cocktails of their own creation, highlighting the creativity, talent, and personality behind every handcrafted drink.
The Bloom theme extended beyond the décor as guests gathered around the flower crown station to create colorful floral headpieces. Friends worked side by side, sharing flowers, ideas, and plenty of laughter before proudly wearing their finished creations throughout the evening, adding another splash of color to the celebration.
One of the evening’s most memorable performances came from Anita Goodman, who paid tribute to the classic character Carmen Sandiego. As the familiar theme song played, Anita worked through the crowd in the character’s signature red trench coat and wide-brimmed hat before revealing a globe-inspired costume beneath. The playful twist answered the song’s famous question, “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” Carmen, it turned out, was the world. The stunning reveal drew not only cheers from the crowd but plenty of laughter as well.
Between performances, guests had the opportunity to slow the pace of the evening with chair massages provided by Arwen of Blue Lotus Bodyworks. Offered at just $1 per minute, the massages gave attendees a chance to unwind before returning to the handcrafted cocktails, bartender showcases and drag performances. 
The evening’s energy quickly returned as Pony took center stage with a playful performance inspired by the Bloom theme. Carrying oversized bee balloons through the crowd before climbing atop a booth, Pony transformed the entire venue into part of the show, earning smiles, laughter, and applause from guests.
As the celebration continued, the spotlight returned to the evening’s featured bartenders. Mora Chagoya of Williams & Graham and Syd Stradling of Wobble Hi Fi introduced guests to their signature cocktail creations while the event program shared a glimpse into the personalities and stories behind the people crafting each drink. Alongside the featured cocktails, guests could also explore a selection of zero-proof beverages, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy throughout the showcase.
As the night approached its finale, Pony returned with one final theatrical performance, once again turning Lady Jane into part of the show. Climbing atop a booth before weaving through the crowd in a whimsical horse-inspired look, Pony’s playful interactions drew laughter, cheers, and applause from guests gathered throughout the venue.
As the evening came to a close, Pony invited guests to raise their glasses for one final toast. Calling out each line one at a time, Pony encouraged the crowd to enthusiastically repeat every verse in unison:
“Roses are red…
Violets are blue…
Queer people choose their own family…
And I choose you!”
With every line echoed back by the crowd, glasses were raised throughout Lady Jane as cheers and applause filled the venue, bringing Bloom to a heartfelt close.
With the final toast complete and the applause settling throughout Lady Jane, Sid of Family Values, the organization behind Cocktails & Cunt: Queer Bartender Showcase, took a moment to thank guests for celebrating Denver’s queer bartending community. She then invited everyone to continue the evening’s festivities just down the street at Occidental, where the celebration would transition from Bloom to Burn. As the event program proclaimed, it was “Time to light it up at BURN by Occidental.” 
With Bloom officially behind them, guests made their way just down the street to Occidental for Burn, the second chapter of Cocktails & Cunt: Queer Bartender Showcase. Greeted by flickering flames at the entrance and a line of eager attendees stretching outside, the atmosphere immediately shifted from bright florals to a darker, fiery celebration that embraced the night’s second theme. 
Unlike a traditional night out, Burn unfolded through a rotating lineup of featured bartenders, each taking center stage during scheduled showcase times with their own original cocktails and personal stories. Guests could follow the evening’s lineup while sampling creations like Andrew James Salas’ “Yo Mama’s a Horchata” or Onya Jackson’s “Hawt to Go,” getting to know the personalities and creativity behind each drink.
Between showcases, attendees could also explore additional experiences, including tarot card readings by @jupiterspage_ , making the evening feel as much like a celebration of community as it was a cocktail event. 
From the bustling bar to the light-filled patio, Occidental offered guests more than a place to grab a drink. Between bartender showcases, conversations filled every corner of the venue as colorful lights reflected off exposed brick walls and glowing decorations overhead. Whether gathered inside around the bar or enjoying the outdoor patio beneath illuminated trees, guests found plenty of opportunities to connect as Burn carried on into the night.
As the night continued, a new group of featured bartenders stepped into the spotlight, each bringing their own personality, creativity, and signature cocktails to Burn. From Rico Garcia’s bold “Bilo Tata!” to Nik Styles’ “Sun Burn,” every showcase reflected the individuality of the bartender behind the bar. The event also continued to feature thoughtfully crafted zero-proof options, ensuring guests could enjoy the experience regardless of whether they chose to drink alcohol.
As the bartender showcase carried on inside, creativity extended beyond the bar. Guests gathered for flash tattoos by @clean4jesus while others made their way to the patio, where fire performer @alliepyrocat captivated the crowd with a dramatic display of flames that illuminated the night. From wearable art to live performance, Burn embraced creativity in ways that reached far beyond the cocktails themselves.
As the evening came to a close, Burn left guests with more than memorable cocktails and captivating performances. Returning for another year, Cocktails & Cunt: Queer Bartender Showcase once again placed the people behind the bar in the spotlight, celebrating not only their creativity, but the community that makes Denver’s queer nightlife so special. 
Photos by Alissha R
