I have to add a comment about the Cruise Room. A very good friend of mine (White male, gay and preppy) raved about the cruise room so we went to check it out. If you are looking for something that resembles LA trendy, this is the place to go. It's a very narrow bar, lit in neon orange, crammed full of predominantly white guys and few girls mostly wearing collared button down shirts. We walked in, turned around and walked right back out. If you want McCormicks, just eat in the restaurant. You can go to denver.citysearch (link is below) and they have info about restaurants, bars and nightlife and I think they now have reviews. Another place to check out is Westword.com, which is a local entertainment review newspaper. They have reviews on their website and every year they do an edition called "The Best of...". Denver (especially the lodo area) has been changing a lot lately and I think for the better. What I do like (and pardon me because I have never lived back east but have visited) is more of a boston type feel with the new architecture and old buildings. To me, bars like LoDo's are Denver bars/nightclubs. After visiting the Cruise Room and walking past the new Luna Hotel it just reminded me of a wanna be LA which is far from it. It's fine to have stuff like that, because everyone has different tastes but after living in the Denver area since 89' it just doesn't feel like denver. As for restaurants, I have heard The Rio is excellent for the margaritas, Morton's and Ruth Chris are good but wouldn't be really comfortable for someone dining alone. I have been wanting to check out Vesta Dipping Grill but have only seen the outside.Also, walking around Denver is not like walking around San Francisco. If you are staying downtown, you can usually walk to the 16th Street mall and at least take the free bus to the end (closer to union station area) and then walk some more blocks from there, I wouldn't see a need for a cab which I am sure are overpriced for as far as you would have to go.

http://denver.citysearch.com/section...ar_restaurants

http://www.westword.com/

Lenleigh--as a Denver resident you probably know a lot more about restaurants, etc. than I do but we get to Denver every couple of months and think the Cruise Room is nifty as can be (as a 41 year old Mom from Nebraska I'm anything but LA-trendy, much to my chagrin--ha!). Anyhow, just saying that Elizabeth might like the atmosphere anyway. McCormick's (in the same building) bar for happy hour is a happy place to be--they have an amazing selection of low-low-priced munchies, including mussels and oysters.

Firstly Lenleigh-how have you NOT been to Rio for a marg when you've lived in Denver for so long? I think that's illegal! ;)

Tess-did we ever get Elizabeth's age? Its quite possible (as a 30 year old myself) that a place that you would like would not be her cup of tea? The whole conservative thing wouldn't do it for me at ALL....

The idea of the Cruise Room is to be an art deco bar--it isn't trying to be LA trendy at all and the martinis are great. Ruth's Chris leaves a LOT to be desired. When we were there the menus were filthy and the service terrible--for 'way too much money. Go to the Chop House for your steak. For a fun/delicious Sunday brunch try La Fornaio in LoDo. There 's also a PF Chang's if you "need" a lettuce wrap fix. For a good deli lunch try the Market in LoDo. OH--for a Japanese dining experience go to Domo. You'll need to cab it although it is near downtown. It is a Japanese country restaurant--it may be only open Thursday-Sunday and you'll need a reservation. For pretty good and very inexpensive French go to Le Centrale--wonderful mussels fixed all ways.

Original poster here, sorry took so long to get back. Thanks for all the great advice and the warning about the smoking in bars/restaurants.

For the poster who asked my age, I am 32. That may help in recommendations.

As for what kind of places I like to go to, I am usually very much into trendy modern type lounges/bars. Not as much into the nightclub/danceclub scene - and certainly not alone - ha ha.

Not into the velvet rope scene either.

So, I guess you could say I am looking for an upscale, trendy kind of place, with a great martini menu, but without the snobbery or attitude that may make me feel uncomfortable there alone.

My guess is Saturday night may be the biggest challenge for me, being "party night" and all. But hopefully Sunday/Monday night will prove to be a bit more laid-back when I head out to find a good drink and hopefully some good conversation.

Thanks again.. I don't leave until Saturday, so keep those ideas coming.

Oops..totally forgot to answer milliebz's question...I am staying at the Hotel Monaco.

Thanks again to all...if I meet people half as nice and helpful as you all have been, then my trip will be fabuolous indeed!

Ani- I know it's sad and I love margaritas too. Might have to try it next weekend! How is the food though, haven't really heard a lot about the food.

Elizabeth- Knowing that you are staying at Hotel Monaco says a lot right there since it is a funky, hip hotel. You might like the Cruise Room then but it is closer to the train station so if you don't want a cab, take the 16th street mall bus all the way west and then walk the rest of the way. Sounds like a lot of the places you would most be interested in would be harder to enjoy alone though. You might like Sambuca's atmosphere but I have heard they are a little snobby and not so great service. Since you're staying close to 16th street I would walk around a little and check out that area.

Elizabeth,
You'll love Denver's Monaco! The lobby wine/happy hour is great--they'll often have complimentary chair massages during happy hour. Speaking of which, there is a nice Aveda spa connected to the Monaco if you have some extra time.

LenLeigh: The Rio has food? ;)
The food is OK (I'm actually in Fort Collins-home of the original Rio-woohoo-so can only speak for the one here). Its not the BEST destination for food for sure-but I usually am unable to read the menu after one marg anyway! Steak nachos are FAB.

thanks for the insight, questionmotives. you're from california. that explains everything.

Elizabeth
Hotel Monaco was just rated Denver's 2nd most luxurious hotel by citsearch.com It is very nice and the rooms are quite pretty. Wanted to mention that the restaurant Panzano's is excellent. Make sure you check out the menu before you go elsewhere.