🍕 Is Denver America’s pizza capital?

🍿 88 Drive-In Lives On

An unexpected Instagram post from Commerce City’s 88 Drive-In Theatre has revealed promises of a 2024 movie season. Longtime Denverites and local movie-goers were devastated last summer when the owners of Metro Denver’s last operating drive-in announced they’d be closing for good at the end of the season. Construction to turn the property into warehouse space was slated for spring 2024 — when or if redevelopment is still the plan is unclear. [Westword]

🔊 Redefining Noise in Denver

Denver’s public health department is taking a closer look at the city’s noise laws, reconsidering everything from trash pickup times to decibel limits at local venues. The city’s noise ordinances were last updated in 2008. Officials say the change is to reflect Denver’s growth. [Axios Denver]

🚍 An RTD Leadership Shakeup

A new bill being proposed by Democratic lawmakers would cut down the RTD board of directors and hand over more control to the governor. It would be the biggest RTD leadership change in 40 years. Opponents of the measure are concerned the bill is just creating a path for the governor to get his way with the Front Range passenger rail that he’s staking his legacy on. [CPR]

🤫 Inside Denver’s Members-Only Clubs

The private social club is on the rise in Denver. These members-only spaces are designed for adults looking to network and meet people. But who is the “ideal” candidate to be a member? And how much does one’s social capital actually have to do with financial resources and physical appearance? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Big news broke last week for the City Park West neighborhood — beloved local brewery and restaurant Vine Street Pub is finally reopening, four years after it closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic (more on that in our Food & Drink section below 👇). Denverites will once again be able to savor the pub’s acclaimed burgers, wings, and beers. So hey, while you’re in the area, why not make a full day of it? Here are our other City Park West faves.

🍽️ Where to Eat

Cutting directly through the heart of neighborhood is 17th Street — Denver’s unofficial “Restaurant Row.” Close your eyes and point and you’re guaranteed to land on something delicious. My personal recs? Syrup for pancakes and benedicts, Onefold for breakfast and lunch bowls, Chada Thai for dynamite noodles, and White Pie for a decent slice.

☕ Where to Drink

Weathervane Cafe and St. Mark’s Coffeehouse both offer cozy, lowkey vibes and a mean cup of coffee, plus an array of tasty little treats. For boozy libations, The Thin Man is a funky little watering hole for locals; Crazy Horse serves up a slice of Denver’s history and a killer cocktail; The DNVR Bar is THE sports bar of the Mile High.

• More on Crazy Horse: Dive deep into the spot’s eccentric history. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🛍️ Something to Do

It’s your last chance to play the escape room in a City Park West Victorian mansion before the Epic Escape Game company relocates sometime in April. I’d also recommend a stop at the Sun Market, a neighborhood grocer stocked with fresh produce, local food and drinks, and handcrafted wares from Denver artisans.

Private Member Clubs Are Thriving. Are You Cool (and Rich) Enough To Join?

Socializing is a hot commodity in Denver — but how much would you pay to be part of an exclusive clubhouse where other adults hang out? Private social clubs are the newest thing in grownup socializing, but having the right mix of social and financial capital and physical appearance could determine if you can even be “in” with this in-crowd.