Churchill Bar at The Brown Palace: Where Time Slows Down

Some places try to feel classic, but Churchill Bar just is. It's tucked inside The Brown Palace, Denver's grand old hotel at 321 17th Street downtown, and it's the kind of room the Red Meat & Cigar Club was made for: dim lights, leather armchairs, dark wood, and smoke drifting up toward the ceiling.

The cigars. A well-kept humidor, picked for people who know what they like. You can bring your own, but there's a $25 cutting fee unless each person spends at least $25 on food and drinks, which isn't hard to do here.

The pours. This is where Churchill shines. The whisky list runs deep, from Dalmore 15 and 18 to The Dalmore Cigar Malt, which is made for exactly this, plus a full Glenmorangie lineup up to a rare 1990 bottling. You'll also find hand-crafted cocktails and premium spirits, with light snacks if you need something to go with them.

The feel. It's quiet. It's a place to talk, not to shout over the music. The dress code is smart casual, so there's no need to flash anything; just show up like you mean it.

Know before you go:

• Hours: Sunday to Thursday 4 to 10 PM, and Friday and Saturday 2 to 11 PM
• Walk-ins only, with no reservations, though memberships are offered
• 90-minute limit per table
• Valet, garage and street parking nearby

The verdict: Churchill Bar is Denver's cigar lounge for a special occasion, or for any night you'd like to feel like one. You get a great cigar, a serious pour, and a room with a century of history. You know it when you like it, and you'll like this.

Churchill Bar, The Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17th St, Denver, CO 80202. Phone (303) 297-3111. Website: https://www.brownpalace.com/denver-hotel-dining/churchill-bar