50th Birthday Celebration in Downtown Denver
 

I will be visiting Denver in May 2005 for a "girls weekend" to celebrate my aunt's 50th Birthday. She lives in the city and has already planned day trips for our visit. We would really love to surprise her and plan a Saturday evening to celebrate her birthday. Everyone who is visiting is easy going and has fun personalities. I am searching for a nice mid-range to upscale restaurant with a great atmosphere and some suggestions for taking her out afterwards (jazz club, martini bar, piano bar, comedy club, etc.) Mainly looking for a a lively place but one that you can also sit and have a drink. Any suggestions would be appreciated and helpful. Thanks

Vesta Grill in LoDo. Cruise Room of the Oxford Hotel for a martini in an art deco surroundings.

For dinner, I like the Rialto Cafe on 16th Street. Sullivan's is a nice steakhouse. And Jax Fish House is fun for seafood.

Trios Enoteca usually has live music and is fun place to hang out after dinner. There's also Sing! Sing! - a very lively piano bar with dueling pianos. It's hard to get a seat later in the evening though.

You will have several places to choose from in downtown Denver. I'd suggest someplace in Lodo or Larimer Square where you can park your car, leave it, and then walk to after-dinner entertainment, etc. The Chophouse, for instance, in Lodo is lively with good food and reasonable prices. Also Il Fornaio and Jax, also in LoDo.
If you like 'nouveau' Mexico, Tamayo in Larimer is good, too. Or buffalo burgers at Ted's on Larimer. Or great pizza at The Wazee Supper Club for a more funky local place. Or good home brews at Wynkoop Brewery. Or . . . too many choices, too little time!

For dinner, you might try Rioja
rioja-denver.com. New Mediterranean restaurant in LoDo. Excellent food, service, atmosphere.

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I have checked out the websites for the majority of these places and I am delighted to see that I have a nice variety to choose from. Thanks again!