The cold closet of wintertime doesn’t mean you have to hibernate. Whether you’re looking for a romantic date or unique girls’ night out, try one of these intimate hangouts.
Sopra
This antipasto and wine bar—the upstairs sister restaurant to Paravicini’s Italian Bistro in Old Colorado City—is just the place for wine connoisseurs. Super-friendly staff share about the menu in the energetic, unanesthetized open-concept atmosphere. Sit at a high-top or long booth, but make sure you get a seat by the windows. Come back in summer for a patio view. sopracos.com
Speedtrap
A Palmer Lake classic with the tagline “A Cozy Place for Nice People.” Specialty coffee (the Chocolate Covered Cherry is a favorite of mine) and flavorful bistro menu draws community in droves. Thursday nights, bring your own record to play; catch live local artists on weekends. speedtrapbistro.com
Cork & Cask
This comfortably sultry whiskey and wine bar isn’t your typical downtown lounge. Surrealist art hangs on the exposed brick; tall Victorian chairs and couches make for intimate conversation. Try the Peach Street, a craft whiskey from Palisade, Colorado, paired with artisan bacon. corkandcaskdrinks.com
Motif Jazz Cafe
The tucked-away Cheyenne Mountain jazz club styles black table cloths and a heavy red stage curtains at the front of the bar. Sophisticated cocktails and an upscale menu add to the ambiance of an exotic date venue. But note it’s only open Thursdays through Saturdays. motifjazzcafe.com
Bistro on 2nd
Step into the charming stucco house—or stay on the sunny patio—along Monument’s main street. Always inviting, the bistro features local art and a unique seasonal menu. The all-things $5 happy hour makes a great midweek girls’ night. thebistro2nd.com
Upstairs Wine Bar
A single flight of stairs topped with a wrought-iron baluster of vines ushers you into La Baguette’s evening persona. Between the exposed brick, rich wood beams, pastoral mural, crested fireplace and warm scent of baked bread, it’s easy to feel transported into the French countryside—especially with a bottle of the 70+ wines. labaguette-co.com/wine-bar
