Date Visited: 24-March-2010, before dinner drinks
Location: 1417 Kraneria Street, Denver, Colorado 80203
I love piano bars, a throwback to when I was coming out in the early '80s in the Midwest where the neighborhood bar reigned supreme so when I travel I always try to find a small, quiet place where "everybody knows your name" (and not just your number from the bathroom wall). After asking a few locals if such a place existed in Denver I was steered to Mozart Lounge. If you look at the Denver bar map you find that Mozart lounge is sort of the gateway to the numerous gay establishments along Colfax.
The Mozart Lounge is an intimate little spot, long bar with an aquarium on one side and a baby grand piano on the other. Live music, primarily jazz, blues, and show tunes, is performed Friday and Saturday nights. Comfortable seats, quiet jazz playing in the background (and I mean quiet as I can hear the details of the conversations of the other patrons). The one strange addition was MAA playing on the lone television in the establishment.
The bar serves no food but there is a nice little cafe on the corner (more on that next post). The bartender was dressed in a suit in a casual manner (think Italian or American after-party) and very chatty and friendly. The patrons were primarily male ranging from mid-20's through a few years my senior.
The bar menu is small, totaling three pages (this is the mixed drinks page) but after talking with the bartender a couple of minutes I found that it is very common to simply call drinks. Not wanting to deprive myself from sampling their standards I did a bit of both (after all, how many places these days have as a standard a Harvey Wallbanger much less a Side Car... Auntie Mame would be so happy). For my first drink I ordered the Lemon Drop, pretty standard vodka-based drink. Now when I make them I prefer not to use a flavored vodka but here, like 95% of the places I've visited, use a citrus infused vodka (Ketel One Citroen) which is fine. The bartender paid attention to detail, asked if I wanted a sugar rim (which I did) and presented a pretty little flavored vodka martini. As he poured the bartender said that if it wasn't sweet enough for me he would remake the drink and while it quite wasn't I didn't take him up on the offer. It was good, moderately strong, and just a touch more tart than I expected but that is more personal taste than a poorly proportioned concoction.
After the Lemon Drop I asked the bartender what he liked to make and after a brief thoughtful pause he replied "I make a mean rum punch" so that was what I ordered. Into a glass went Malibu Rum, pineapple juice, grenadine and few other things I couldn't make out and with a shake and the plop of a cherry I had before me a tasty little "girlie" drink. Again the ratios seemed to be perfect and after telling my friend Sarah about it I spent some time chatting with the bartender and patrons about the various venues in the area. So one off the menu, one "dealer's choice", now it's my turn. Not wanting to ask for anything esoteric I simply asked the attractive young man for a Sloe Comfortable Screw Against The Wall and with a quick grin and wink off he went, coming back with what in my opinion was an expertly made blend of sloe gin, Southern Comfort and orange juice with just a touch of Galliano floated on top. Again another cherry and I was feeling quite pleased that I found this place. My only regret was not being there for the music.
And now for the breakdown:
Location: B (well lighted, easily accessible with a drugstore across the street)
Parking: B (small shared parking lot adjacent to the bar)
Atmosphere: B+ (Worn, welcoming; smoking patio out front; don't quite get the MAA thing though)
Service: B+ (one bartender but he had things under control)
Wine List: C (small, very limited offering)
Drinks List: B- (small list but they are open to any called drink, important to remember)
Overall Food/Drink Rating: A- (good quality alcohols; attention to proportion)
Staff Cuteness: B (Cute bartender)
Staff Friendliness: B+ (talkative, helpful; spent time walking through the bar section of the local "fag rag")
Overall Experience: B+
Would I Return? Yes
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