Uptown, Girl
Uptown is where you go when you can almost afford a place downtown, but you’re not exactly into what Cap Hill offers.
By Chris Arneson
Also known as North Capitol Hill, Denver’s oldest residential neighborhood is nestled on the edge of downtown between Broadway and Park Ave., just north of Colfax. There’s a nice balance of old houses and new apartments, but many of the houses are occupied by businesses. Some sections feel sketch, but the neighborhood has developed greatly over the past decade, replacing many empty lots with new construction.
Uptown is a great place to spend your younger years, but not necessarily an ideal spot for a growing family. The traffic is fairly heavy, and the streets are tight. Crime rates are higher than the national average, and car break-ins and bike thefts tend to occur often. The demographic is too diverse to define.
For anything larger than a studio, you’re looking at monthly rent close to $2k, and most places don’t include parking. Buying any size apartment or condo can be anywhere from $200- 500k, but in this neighborhood, you’re probably getting a quality space.
Restaurant row runs through Uptown, featuring too many to name. Some favorites include Steuben’s modern comfort food, Ace Eat Serve’s Asian fusion with bonus Ping-Pong tables, burgers at Park & Co, Tony P’s pizza, and everything at Hamburger Mary’s. There’s even a vegetarian option at Watercourse. The patio at Tavern Uptown is a favorite brunch spot.
A few blocks north on 19th has an almost- NYC feel, with corners featuring a coffee shop and pizzeria surrounded by the vast Uptown Square apartments. A little more north and you’ll discover the delightfully divey Horseshoe Lounge, right next door to The Centennial Tavern (formerly Jonesy’s EatBar).
I really don’t need to tell you Uptown features most of Denver’s gay bars — Hamburger Mary’s, The Wrangler, and X Bar, with Charlie’s nearby. Check out Mary’s for a huge patio, bingo, karaoke, and drag shows. The Wrangler is home to a large beer bust on Sundays, but it’s usually quieter on weeknights. X Bar also has a better vibe on weekends with an expanded upstairs (great for a less intense atmosphere), but their weeknights have great drink specials. Charlie’s hosts line-dancing with classes on several nights of the week with a newly remodeled separate space for club music.
Other nightlife includes The 1up arcade bar and the ever-hipster Sancho’s Broken Arrow, as well as concerts at the Fillmore and Ogden theaters, which usually bring in bigger names in music. These spots are all neighbors on Colfax.
The neighborhood is just blocks from downtown Denver, making it a great spot to live in the center of the city’s culture — especially if you’re a foodie.
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