Belles & Boots, a new western-themed restaurant and bar in the historic LoDo District, opened its doors on Friday, April 4. Located in the space that formerly housed the Sports Column bar at 1930 Blake St., Belles & Boots is the latest addition to the bustling LoDo district, bringing non-stop honky-tonk entertainment in the form of line dancing, mechanical bull riding, VIP bottle service, DJ sets every Thursday through Saturday and much more.
With a shimmering, boot-shaped disco ball hanging from the ceiling, Belles & Boots brings a twist to the classic cowboy restaurant and bar concept. Drawing inspiration from Western culture, the 4,000-square-foot space is adorned with desert mountain motifs and outfitted with custom wood furniture. Rustic floors, steel finishings and leather details bring warmth to the spacious first floor while upstairs, Belles & Boots’ rooftop boasts additional bar and lounge seating and views of Coors Field.
“While Denver has outgrown its Cowtown reputation, it is still influenced by Western and ranching culture today,” said Lotus Concepts Management CEO and founder, Francois Safieddine in a statement. “We saw an opportunity to give the classic cowboy bar an authentic and modern twist and create a high-energy space where guests can enjoy locally sourced smoked meats, sip craft cocktails and dance to their favorite country hits under a disco boot. Belles & Boots is something new for Denver and we can’t wait for the community to experience it.”
Staying true to the company’s mission to utilize Colorado Proud ingredients across all concepts, Belles & Boots is partnering with family-owned meat purveyor Meats by Linz to source high-quality cuts for its barbecue. Smoked in-house daily, the simple menu packs a flavorful punch with dishes like brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork and roasted chicken and classic sides including house-made coleslaw, baked beans and skillet mac n’ cheese. Guests can order any of the smoked meats as a sandwich on a brioche bun with the choice of onion rings or a side salad or build their own barbecue plate with half-pound portions of their favorite meats and choice of sides. Desserts are scratch made in-house and are inspired by the classics like sweet potato casserole baked in a cast iron skillet and topped with crumbled graham cracker, gooey marshmallow and candied pecans.
Anchored by its robust beverage program, Belles & Boots’ bar will feature a menu of hand-crafted cocktails made with premium spirits and fresh, local ingredients. Signature drinks include creations like Belle’s Boot, made with Captain Morgan white rum, sweet chili lime rum and coconut rum and served in a 30-oz souvenir boot-shaped cup for a photo-worthy moment. For beer enthusiasts, the bar will offer a curated list of craft brews with an emphasis on Colorado breweries.
“When creating the menu for Belles & Boots, we wanted to keep it approachable and familiar with a little Colorado flair,” said Belles & Boots’ head chef, Edgar Drago. “While guests can enjoy barbecue staples like brisket sandwiches and pulled pork, we’ve incorporated a few playful dishes like The Smoke Show, made with local pork sausage, pork shoulder and brisket and topped with pepper jack cheese, coleslaw, chipotle aioli and chipotle honey barbecue sauce on a brioche bun. Similarly, our cocktail menu is built on a foundation of the classics while encouraging guests to try new, signature creations. Whether a whiskey and beer drinker or craft cocktail connoisseur, there’s something for everyone at Belles & Boots.”
Belles & Boots will initially open Monday through Wednesday from 4 p.m. to midnight; Thursday from 12 p.m. to midnight; Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. Families are welcome during the day, but Belles & Boots is strictly 21+ for late night hours.
