Denver’s West Colfax neighborhood is named after the major traffic artery cutting through the area and has continued to develop over the past several years. The active neighborhood provides residents with convenient access to Sloan’s Lake and an accessible commute to downtown via the light rail. The community has a multitude of restaurants and a handful of coffee shops that welcome you to become a regular.
The Best Coffee Near West Colfax
As with any good up-and-coming neighborhood in the Mile High City, West Colfax has a small but respectable local coffee shop community. Brew Culture Coffee is diversifying from their caffeine game by offering kombucha on tap and Swift’s on Colfax serves up freshly brewed cups of Joe that pair with their no-nonsense diner offering.
Brew Culture Coffee
3620 West Colfax Avenue
Local artisan coffee doesn’t get much better than West Colfax’s Brew Culture Coffee. The shop uses Sweet Bloom Coffee Roasters to prepare their craft creations, drawing out the unique flavors that keep patrons coming back for more. Brew Culture Coffee works with several local bakeries in the area to provide the flakiest freshly baked pastries that pair wonderfully with your morning latte. Instead of stopping at just the basic coffee and breakfast option, the shop also provides kombucha from local brewers and keeps around 8 different nutritionally dense probiotic drinks on tap to suit a range of palettes. Don’t miss out on the loose-leaf tea or the honey chai, either!
Swift’s on Colfax
4300 West Colfax Avenue
If you’re looking for a hearty traditional American breakfast, look no further than Swift’s on Colfax. This street-side diner invites you to bring your whole family and dig into a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. Naturally, no diner worth its salt is complete without fresh pots of coffee going at all times. The diner is open Thursdays to Tuesdays, from 6 AM to 2 PM. Breakfast is served all day, so no worrying about whether you have to settle for a lunch menu when all you wanted were some buttermilk pancakes. The best news, your coffee cup will always be full so you can get a double or triple dose of caffeine before you tackle your day.
Where to Eat & Drink in West Colfax
Tasty plates and generous entrees aren’t difficult to come by in West Colfax. Whether you’re craving Texas-style BBQ, vegan tacos, sushi rolls, or even ice cream — the neighborhood has plenty to offer in the way of highly-rated restaurants and locally owned and operated eateries.
Cilantro Tacos Tequila Mezcal
1703 Federal Boulevard
Staying true to Denverites’ passion for supporting their local community, Cilantro primarily sources their produce, cheeses, and meats from local farmers and growers. This not only ensures the freshest ingredients on your plate, it helps to create a sustainable menu that gives back to the producers. Start your meal with the OMG Nachos or the classic chips and salsa before diving into a plate of tacos of your choosing. Proteins range from fried beer battered fish, prawns, barbacoa, marinated steak, chicken, and even a vegan option with roasted beets and veggies. Fear not if you don’t drink tequila or mezcal, as the restaurant also keeps most Mexican beers available, as well as a curated assortment from local breweries.
Frank’s Bar-B-Que
4700 West Colfax Avenue
Frank’s is a proud third-generation family-owned and operated restaurant hailing from Texas and relocating to Denver in the 80s. Using mesquite wood to slowly smoke their meats to perfection, Frank’s has been proudly serving up the best of the South to their loyal community. The menu features beef brisket, sausage, pork ribs, pulled pork, and any combination that you desire to defeat your craving. Opt for a plate that includes two sides or a sandwich with a single side. Sides include classics such as potato salad, coleslaw, pinto beans, and chips. Frank’s offers a complete buffet-style catering service with selections varying from the regular BBQ offering to a pig roast, steak, hamburger and hotdog cookout, and even a luau menu.
Classic Eats Delicatessen
3910 West Colfax Avenue
Classic Eats Delicatessen serves up breakfast and lunch options that are as diverse as they are delicious. Breakfast includes burritos and sandwiches, including the classic croissant option with hash browns, eggs, and your choice of cheese and meat. The lunch menu features a range of hot and cold sandwiches, including a chicken parm (make it eggplant for a vegan option), a gyro served in a warm pita, or even a gourmet grilled cheese. If you’re craving an upgraded version of an Italian sub, order The Bada Bing sandwich that comes with several cured meats, classic provolone, veggies, and a house vinaigrette that’s topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Whether you’re heading back to the office or grabbing a bite to take to Lakewood Gulch Park, these sandwiches hit the spot.
Little Man Ice Cream Factory
4411 West Colfax Avenue
Opened in 2019, the Little Man Factory is a 6,000-square-foot tasting room and production kitchen. Guests can order ice cream cones, sundaes, banana splits, malts, shakes, floats, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream pies and cakes, and of course — quarts and pints for the freezer at home. The current flavor lineup includes vegan chocolate salted Oreo, mint chocolate chip, cookie dough, and salted caramel peanut butter cookie. In an effort to give back, Little Man Ice Cream Factory donates a scoop of rice, beans, or other essentials to communities in need around the world for every scoop of ice cream purchased. So next time — go ahead and order the double and be guilt-free!
Can’t-Miss Shops in West Colfax
West Colfax isn’t necessarily Denver’s premier shopping destination, though it does have a handful of shops and stops that make it unique. Chaos Vintage and Thrift is the first collective of its kind within the city and Lamar Station Plaza is a one-stop shop for coffee, lunch, shopping, and maybe even a reservation at the infamous Casa Bonita.
Chaos Vintage and Thrift
3601 West Colfax Avenue
Chaos Vintage and Thrift is Denver’s first punk and alternative secondhand collective in Denver. This unique brick-and-mortar storefront hosts up to 20 vendors and curates vintage goods around the up-and-coming scene within the community. The founders, Skylah Marroquin and Omar Sandoval both want to emphasize the Latin American culture that can be found within West Colfax’s roots and create a welcoming space for everybody in the community. Creativity and fun are major pillars that Chaos Vintage has been founded upon and going forward, plans to host regular pop-ups that feature local bands and artisans are in the works.
Lamar Station Plaza
6431-6791 West Colfax Avenue
Lamar Station Plaza features a wide range of retail shops, including ARC Thrift Stores, Dollar Tree, Ross, and eateries such as Pizza Hut, Cicis, and even Dutch Bros Coffee. If you need a quick workout, Planet Fitness is available and ALS Laundry is a convenient laundromat to get that load of vacation clothes done. Lamar Station Plaza is also home to Denver’s iconic Casa Bonita, which has recently been revitalized with $40 million and features its immediately recognizable pink tower structure.
The Nightlife Scene Around West Colfax
Nightlife around West Colfax can be as casual as catching a movie with dinner delivered to your seat or heading out for cocktails or beers and sharing small plates.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
4255 West Colfax Avenue
The Alamo Drafthouse on West Colfax includes a theater bar and lounge, BarFly, and 8 auditoriums that can host up to 778 guests. Food and drinks are delivered to your seat, so you don’t have to leave the immersion of the movie-going experience to grab a popcorn refill and other classic cinema snacks. If you want to upgrade your order, try the truffle herb parmesan popcorn or the churro popcorn with fried churro pieces. Those who want to catch all of the new releases may be interested in the Alamo Season Pass, which includes one movie per day and seat reservations. Denver-area passes begin at $19.99 per month.
Side Pony Coffee & Cocktails
4635 West Colfax Avenue #100
Open from 7 AM every day of the week, until 9 PM on weekdays and 11 PM on the weekends, Side Pony Coffee & Cocktails is the perfect spot to grab an espresso-based beverage in the morning and make it an espresso martini in the evening. This all-day neighborhood cafe turned bar is undoubtedly the place to hang out with friends and have a bite to eat with your drink. The extra-long happy hour is between 4 PM and 7 PM and features discounted drinks and bites. You’ll want to try the warm baguette with a cashew pesto dip, as it’s the perfect accompaniment to a glass of wine and is easily shared across the table.
Seedstock Brewery
3610 West Colfax Avenue
Seedstock brews old-world lagers and traditional styles of brew and has a unique atmosphere all of its own. The original owners created the brewery to honor their Czech and Eastern European heritage. Under new ownership, the brewery continues to bring the community together through events such as the End of Summer BBQ and Bluegrass Jams. There are even trivia and game nights throughout the month, which are all the more fun over a table of beer. Brewery enthusiasts can stay up to date with what’s on tap via the Seedstock Brewery website, with the current lineup including a summer IPA, a Czech pilsner, and a strawberry rhubarb cream ale.
West Colfax’s Outdoor Spaces
West Colfax provides playgrounds, trails, and even a community garden for residents to get their daily dose of vitamin D. The neighborhood is home to Paco Sánchez Park, which features one of Denver’s favorite playgrounds.
Lakewood Dry Gulch Park
1100 Perry Street
Anybody looking for a quick retreat into nature can hop onto the Lakewood Gulch Trail that meanders by the gulch or head to one of the small playgrounds to get some excess energy out of the kiddos. The trail is 3.4 miles out and back, so it makes for the perfect morning or evening walk. The park also features a community garden, off of West Wells Place.
Paco Sánchez Park
1290 Knox Court & 3240 West 14th Avenue
Paco Sánchez Park is 30 acres of fun and features the iconic 1950s-inspired microphone slide that dominates the center of the playground. The park has views of the mountains, as well as the Denver city skyline. Parents will enjoy the array of recreational amenities, including bathrooms, a full-sized basketball court, a skate park, and plenty of open space perfect for picnics or kicking a ball around. The theme of broadcasting is clearly evident around the park and can be a great way to introduce children to a Denver legend, as well as the importance of his work around the community.
West Colfax’s Places of Interest
Aside from all that West Colfax has to offer, including bars and restaurants, parks, and a full-service cinema — the neighborhood has additional city amenities, including a public library branch.
Denver Public Library: Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library
1498 North Irving Street
This branch of the Denver Public Library system was named after a Denver native, who was recognized at the national level as a civil rights movement leader. The library features movies, classes, programs, meeting rooms, and even a coffee cart. Heading to the library for the afternoon is one of the best budget-friendly activities to do with young ones and even adults will find plenty of books to meet their reading goals. Upcoming events at the branch include a movie club, a yarn crafting group, and even a dance class. The library also provides access to computers and the Internet, including any training necessary to use them.
Want to Learn More About Living in Denver’s West Colfax?
RE/MAX Professionals is dedicated to helping you find your perfect Denver neighborhood. Whether you’re looking to raise a family, spend your weekends on the town, or keep your commute to a minimum — there’s a neighborhood for you. Our team is excited to show you all that West Colfax has to offer, both on the market and as a community.