Dare we say it, but this is unprecedented. 

Kitchens run by a Michelin Star chef, bars tended by the best local talent, and music played by Denver’s finest. Number Thirty Eight’s grand opening has ears perking up all over the city to the sound of a safe outing. 

From the beginning, Number Thirty Eight always strived for a more autonomous experience, yet with COVID-19, they’re arguably one of the safest and innovative concepts in town. As you enter, you’re asked for your ID for contact tracing, followed by your credit card that is loaded onto your wristband, allowing a completely card-less and contactless experience. All you need to order a beer from their impressive taproom is a bartender to pour. No more waiting in lines just to close out either; when you’re ready to go, you’re good to go. A 17.5% gratuity is automatically added to your charge at the end of the night; however, after tasting Chef Merlin Verrier’s tacos, you’ll be asking to tip a bit more.

After spending a decade as the head chef at Lollapalooza and picking up more than a few Michelin stars in Chicago, Chef Merlin Verrier made the move to Denver claiming that other than the team he earned Michelin stars with, “this is the best team I’ve worked with. We’ve got some of the best talent from the city’s most respected restaurants.” The year Denver faced and is still facing together has shown how much people matter. With massive layoffs ripping through fine dining, Number Thirty Eight has allowed top talent to continue their passion surrounded by those equally as passionate about each other. Verrier echoes this sentiment calling his team a family.  

Spencer Fronk and Andrew Palmquist, the co-founders of Number Thirty Eight, not only wanted to bring après to the city, but also bring music to RiNo. Fronk says, “RiNo brings so many artists and creatives to the area, but music is an artform that’s overlooked sometimes.” With that in mind, local musicians have been lining up to perform at Denver’s newest stage. Not forgetting that a major factor in Number Thirty Eight  has been supporting local people and businesses, Fronk and Palmquist made sure artists were given everything they needed to perform. A state-of-the-art sound system and a merch area that’s manned by Thirty Eight’s own employees, giving the musicians their focus and attention back to the audience. 

Perhaps the most respectable aspect of Number 38 is the full and utter embrace of Colorado. If Colorado chooses to snow, they’ll sing in snow. They’ll drink in sleet, eat in rain, and with how 2020’s gone, they’ll play volleyball in a hurricane. The garage doors stay open day in and day out, welcoming après to RiNo.  

Written by Jenna McGoldrick