As a Denver native, Stan has dined all over town. When Stan considers a restaurant, he looks at all aspects: food, prices and service, paying close attention to cleanliness, ambiance and décor. He rates all restaurants anonymously, and reflects the point of view of the average, casual customer making multiple visits. Contact him at denverrestaurantexaminer@gmail.com.

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Take a Cruise at the Cruise Room

2 comments

July 5, 12:00 AM

by Stan Dyer, Denver Dining Examiner

Virtually unchanged since the 1930's

If you are ever near 17^th and Wazee between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m., step into the Oxford Hotel and visit the Cruise Room bar. It’s a real blast from the past.

Oh, the Corner Bar by McCormick’s Fish House is just fine and probably fits more with the décor of both the restaurant and the hotel, but the Cruise Room is something really unique and worth experiencing. The bar was designed in the 1930’s to resemble one of the bars on the luxury liner, the Queen Mary. Since that remodel, the Cruise Room has remained virtually unchanged.

It's a great place to either begin or end a great evening

People do not regularly dine at the Cruise Room, but they can. If you get there before the kitchen closes, the staff will bring something over from either the hotel or McCormick’s. Even if you get there late, you might be able to talk the bartender into some fries or some bread, but food really is not the focus of the Cruise Room. The Cruise Room is a mood setter.

Just like your own "speak easy"

Just sitting in the low lights and the art deco surroundings gives one the feeling of being in a Black and White movie, only it is all in full, living color. It almost has the feel of the bar scene from “The Shining” except without the ghosts and without Jack Nicholson. It is a great place to either begin a great evening or go for a nightcap. The Cruise Room is guaranteed to enhance your mood. After all, part of the pleasure of dining comes from being in the right mood. That’s why so many restaurants place so much importance on presentation, ambiance and atmosphere. A good drink in a friendly atmosphere helps too.

This is how it looked before the remodel

The next time you are in LoDo in the vicinity of Union Station, walk over to the Oxford Hotel and give the Cruise Room a try. You might just find yourself becoming a regular.

For more info:

The Cruise Room

Located just off the lobby of the Oxford Hotel next to McCormick’s Fish House

1600 17^th Avenue (17^th and Wazee)

Denver, CO 80202

303-825-1107

Hours: 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. nightly

Topics: Bars and Grills

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