Williams and Graham, a speakeasy in the Lower Highland neighborhood of Denver has been included in leading global drinks industry magazine, Drinks International’s Top 50 bars in the World.
The establishment
3160 Tejon Street appears to be a bookstore, until a copy of Harry Craddock’s “The Savoy Cocktail Book” is pulled and the bookcase it rests on slides to the side, allowing patrons to enter the bar.
Williams and Graham has been open for just three years. While it is not really a speakeasy, the dapperly-dressed bartenders, and the dark woods and colors in the space lend that underground feel. Patrons also must leave through the back in true to speakeasy form.
“I love the warmth of the space,” Proprietor and barman Sean Kenyon told the Denver post. He added that the attention the bartenders pay to getting to know the customers is a really important part of the atmosphere giving it that familiar feeling. The early 20th century setting owes much of its atmosphere to Kenyon’s grandparents’ places which he says were a great inspiration in the creation of Williams and Graham.
Claim to fame
The cocktails are three-to-five piece assemblages and, along with the food, change with the seasons. The bartenders focus on simple, delicious drinks and excellent hospitality, the Drinks International award site explains in its reasoning behind the bar’s appeal.
Several of the bartenders are winners of prestigious industry awards as well. Jason Patz recently was named one of Food and Wine Magazine’s best New Mixologists. His go-to drink is an old fashioned: lemon peel, bitters and whiskey. Sean Kenyon was named American Bartender of the year at the Spirited Awards in July 2014. His favorite drink to make is also an old fashioned, he told 5280, the Denver-based magazine.
Colorado culinary school attendees could benefit from a stop at this unique bar to check out the beverages and hospitality.
