Hours
2:30–6 p.m. daily
9 p.m.–close Mon.–Sat.
The scene
With plenty of tables short and tall on a bustling, window-lined corner in the heart of downtown, there’s a relaxed, conversational vibe during Panzano’s happy hour, a Denver legend for both its length and its day-in, day-out frequency. Grab a friend and come to dish the dirt, or collar a colleague to plan next week’s big presentation over unique, barrel-aged cocktails and small plates of Northern Italian specialties.
What to drink
Local beers for $5 and Italian and California wines for $6 have their allure, but we skipped directly to the cocktails: an Apertivo list (several with prosecco or sodas adding pop) at $7 each and, worth the splurge, $10 barrel-aged cocktails that include one of the city’s best Manhattans.
What to eat
Plates range from $5 to $8. It was at Panzano that we discovered the potential sinfulness of Brussels sprouts, fried and served in an apple cider reduction ($5). A friend worships the $7 beef, wild boar, and pork belly meatballs. And one can never go wrong with a Panzano pizza at $8. Delizioso!
Panzano
909 17th St.
in Hotel Monaco
