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Two Truths and a Lie: Denver Mayor Edition

Morris Munene

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Michelle Polizzi

I know not everyone will agree, but writing with a smooth inky pen in a 

 is one of the best feelings out there. I hope these shops for school supplies, stationery, and classroom-friendly toys help you find that feeling, in your own way, as we begin transitioning to fall 🌸

Colorful cards. Soft plushies. A mug emblazoned with cuss words. You can find just about everything you need for a grown-up work desk at 

, Denver’s only brick-and-mortar paperie. Tucked just around the corner from bustling 32nd Street, Wordshop looks like it belongs in Paris — but is filled with locally designed artwork and unique giftables you’ll only find in Denver.

Wordshop also specializes in custom projects, making it a great spot to order wedding invitations or highly personalized cards.

Nearly twenty years after it first opened, the 

 is still serving the Denver Metro by selling sensory objects, helpful classroom tools, tactile toys, fidget spinners, and so much more. This store was the first of its kind in the U.S. to offer a wide range of products for neurodivergent people and those with sensory challenges.

The offerings here don’t stop at school supplies or games — you can also find tools for everyday life, including specialty cookbooks for autistic kids and 

, I’m filled with a sense of possibility. Perhaps it’s because this art supply store has been around since 1881 and is still owned by the Meininger family. Or maybe it’s the smell of fresh paper and 

 that leaves me feeling inspired. Either way, this might be the best place to shop for kids and adults, considering they’ve got a wide variety of both kid-friendly and 

At the very least, stop in to snap some photos at their 

, then decorate your desk space with the photo strips.

A workspace is only as good as its furniture. Specifically, its desk and its chair. 

 has a wide selection of at-home office desks, standing desks, and desks for kids in grades K-12. They also have a wide selection of used office furniture (I see you, 

), making your next purchase affordable without compromising quality.

Desks Incorporated can ship and deliver items within a certain radius — just give them a call.

Denver Desk and School Supplies

Where to Buy School & Desk Supplies in Denver

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I’ve never been to Japan, but from what I hear, the place is 

. Trains run on time. People respect one another’s space. There’s an emphasis on being intentional; on saying and doing exactly what you mean.

 is a shop in Five Points that brings a bit of that culture to Denver. Think well-designed Japanese notebooks, cute cards and pens for analog correspondence, and office organizers that make you smile.

Here are three picks from the shop to get you started:

A Traveler’s Notebook is a leather-bound, customizable notebook that you can refill with 

, like lined paper or calendar planning sheets. It’s simple, easy to carry, and a perfect way to slow down or get organized without a screen.

Comfortable to hold and satisfying to write with, 

 is available in a variety of colors. (I’ll take the butter yellow.) It’ll make you want to write — no, 

 comes with paper and envelopes. It’s simple, but it’s all you need to send somebody a love letter. Just add stamps.

As if this shop wasn’t already a pleasure to peruse, they’re in the midst of reorganizing their space and making improvements (but they’re still open!). Stop in to see the magic ✨

Denver's Best Office Supplies at Point Creative Supplies

Why Denverites Love Point Creative Supplies

There’s probably somebody out there who doesn’t like fries, but I’ve never met them. So for me, the question isn’t “do you like fries,” it’s “what kind do you like?” The following list has some of the best in Denver, from crispy crunchies, to classic, to everything in between.

🍺 Best Mixed Fries: Odie B’s (Sunnyside; RiNo)

The hardest part about ordering fries is having to choose. Waffle, sweet potato, thin-cut, or wedge? At 

, order the mixed fries and you get them all in one. This brunch and lunch spot has two locations and too many delicious menu items to count — we recommend the double smooshed burger patty or the trendy tendy chicken caesar wrap, which is made with habanero hot honey fried chicken thighs.

🍺 Best Battered Fries: Fiddlesticks Bar & Grill (Lakewood)

 has been a go-to spot for bar food that simply hits the spot. They’re known for their extra crispy fries, which are battered in an extra layer for a crispy outside and a soft inside. Fiddlesticks also has waffle fries on the menu, which are served plain or loaded with green chile and cheese with sides like ranch, spicy ranch, or sour cream.

There’s many chances to get a great deal on fries at this bar and grill, which has 

, plus an afternoon happy hour and a late-night happy hour.

🥔 Best Seasoned Fries: Mead St Provisions (West Highland)

, it ignited a long debate: What is this magical blend of seasoning covering their house fries? It’s sort of like Old Bay, but maybe with a hint more barbecue? But also battered? I still don’t know — but I can highly recommend them! Plus they’ve got sweet potato fries for the healthy friends in the group and 

Happy hour is Monday through Friday, from 2-6 p.m., and includes deals on drinks, sides, and more.

Best Classic Fries: Bull and Bush Brewery (Glendale)

 celebrates its 55th anniversary this month, making it the perfect time to stop in for some tasty fries. In fact, the fries here are the most basic on the list, or in other words, the most 

fries (IYKYK). These simple, not too thick, not too skinny, perfectly soft and crisp fries are the perfect pairing to this cozy, London-inspired, ale-forward joint that’s long been a staple in the Cherry Creek area.

Don’t miss Bull & Bush’s “legendary” fish and chips, which 

Denver’s Most Delicious Fries

 may have started in Fort Collins, but its Denver satellite locations are creating a following of their own.

Formerly an outpost inside TRVE Brewing, the South Broadway location has expanded into a hub for hot chicken and fries, 

So what exactly is hot chicken? Music City’s recipe is based on, you guessed it, Nashville — where the 

. Music City Hot Chicken has built upon Nashville’s tradition in a way that honors its roots, but provides even more options for hungry customers. For one, they’ve added salty wedge fries and sweet potato fries to the classic meal.

They’ve also got seven levels of heat to choose from, including a Southern style that has no kick at all. If you go too spicy by accident, some fries dipped in ranch is the best way to ease the pain.

Vegetarians and vegans alike can make their meal meat-free with Music City Hot Chicken’s alternatives: crispy tempeh or breaded oyster mushrooms. And if you’re on more of a brunchy kick, stop in on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for buttermilk waffles, fireball maple syrup, and dreamy breakfast sandos.

Whether you choose the “Nashville Hot” spice level or you’re simply in love with the taste, don’t be surprised if this place brings you to tears.

Why Denverites Love Music City Hot Chicken

For this newsletter version of our August guide to Denver, we asked comedian Joshua Emerson, who has been a fixture on the podcast for years, to give us his personal recommendations.

Little Wolf is a single malt whiskey bar on the Northside. They house Flip & Howl Burger Kitchen. They do cold-smoked wagyu burgers, which are good not great. They’re a little overpriced but you won’t feel unsatisfied after a meal.

The real star for Flip is their 78 minute fries. They are called 78 minute fries because that is how long it takes to prepare a batch, a process that includes multiple rounds of frying and blanching. The end result is the best french fries in Denver. They are crispy on the outside and soft, not soggy on the inside – the best example of British style chips in the 303. I wish they did more with the fries. Currently they offer poutine, but I think ships and sheese, ships and surry, green chile fries, and maybe even a carne asada fries would do well.

This Native American community music show is in its fourth year at Levitt Pavillion, and it has always been good. I remember the first year when Hallicination headlined, I experienced one of my favorite music moments. I was sitting up on the grass hill as the sun was setting. 

 and if you saw me crying that day, no you didn’t.

, a Haisla rap duo that came up through the Vancouver hip hop scene. They have really fun lyricism and flow and have continued to get better throughout their career. Their latest album, 

, being my favorite project they’ve put out, and Canada agrees with me, as the album won the 2025 Juno Award for Best Rap Album.

Plus, it is a community event. Native organizations will be tabling and there will be frybread. Enough said.

John Novosad at Denver Comedy Underground

I grew up in Phoenix and the key to beat the heat is two words: air conditioning.One of the best ways to enjoy some AC is seeing live stand-up comedy — check out 

, one of the jewels of the Denver comedy scene. Based in Boulder, John aka Hippie Man has been doing comedy for 30 years, and he continues to write and develop. His sense of humor is so silly and joyful. John’s last special, “

,” is just jokes about Boulder, and it is fantastic. Denver has changed, comedy has changed, but John’s comedy remains timeless.

Comedian Joshua Emerson’s Personal Guide to August 2026

Comedian Joshua Emerson’s Personal Guide to August

Find the best of everything that Denver has to offer.

Denver’s Best

Denver's Best

Paul Karolyi

I learned about something new as I was listening to the City Cast Denver team record the podcast version of this monthly guide – Summerween! Apparently, the animated series “Gravity Falls” had an episode in 2012 where the characters all celebrated Halloween during the summer, and somehow that tradition has caught on! Anyone out there want to carve a Rocky Ford “jack o’melon” sometime?

Check out our Summerween pick, plus plenty more August recommendations from Bree and two of our favorite contributors – green chile correspondent Justine Sandoval and man about town Adrian Felix.

👻 Celebrate Summerween at Scr3am & Sugar

Summerween destination for Denverites, according to Justine. She says the drinks at this spot are all horror themed and very creative, and the staff there is incredibly nice. ”It's not just a gimmick-themed coffee shop,” she adds. “They are making really great coffee in there!”

Adrian’s favorite thing to do right now is roller skating, and 

 at ReelWorks is the place to be, with killer music and a light show. ”They do serve drinks on the floor while you skate, and they offer them in sippy cups so that you don't have to worry about when you biff [it],” Adrian says. The monthly skate is adults-only, held on the third Friday of the month, and the themes are always fun, like “neon”!

🎸 Check Out The Big New Album From lil piñon

One of the founding members of Denver’s Chicano funk staple Los Mocochetes – the group who created the theme song for City Cast Denver – has split off to release his first solo album. Recording now as “

,” Joshua Randy Abeyta is releasing a new album called “Don’t Even Trip.” Bree says “ he's been working for over two years on this project in particular, so definitely worth checking out.”

🍎 Get Your 2000s Pop Punk On for Food Justice

Bree wants to send some love to Denver Food Rescue, the local food justice nonprofit that rescues over 700,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious foods to benefit more than 200,000 Denverites each year. She recommends the all ages fundraiser 

 on Aug. 30 at the Hi-Dive. They’re calling the event “

” as a play on Jimmy Eat World’s seminal 2001 album, “Bleed American,” because the show is all local bands playing emo and pop punk classics. Plus, your $15 ticket goes to a good cause!

🍷 Save Room for Dessert at Venice Ristorante and Wine Bar

Adrian is celebrating his birthday in August, and he’s got just one wish: someone take him to Venice! I’m sure he wouldn’t turn down a plane ticket to Italy, but his heart is with the pasta and fantastic wine list at 

. ”At any upscale restaurant like this, I'm going to judge you by your desserts,” Adrian adds. “And they have one of the best crème brûlées in the city of Denver, which is my favorite dessert.”

🍕 Pizza, Ice Cream, and a Walk in Wash Park

Bree and her husband had a lovely summer night in Wash Park recently, and she recommends the entire itinerary: First stop at 

 for the family-friendly patio and the “pigs and pears pizza,” which is roasted garlic, mozzarella, goat cheese, butternut squash, pear, candied bacon, arugula, and balsamic drizzle. Then a 10-minute walk to 

, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this summer. “ It's just that quintessential old-school Denver, old-school ice cream parlor.”

As a longtime fan of local poet Bobby LeFebre, I was flattered when he invited me to participate in the 

 he hosts for the Museum of Contemporary Art. Each Mixed Taste brings together two Denverites to tell stories about totally different topics, then Bobby and his talented friends (and the audience) help draw creative connections through music, poetry, and jokes! I’ll be giving what I will call a Blucifer-adjacent talk about a local conspiracy theory that I’ve been obsessed with, and joining me as the other speaker will be none other than City Cast Denver contributor and Westword co-founder Patty Calhoun. It costs $20, and it’s more than worth it for all the entertainment they pack into these events. Consider this 

But that’s not all! We asked Adrian and Justine for unique ways to beat the heat this August, but you’ll have to tune in to the podcast to hear their recs!

Your Guide to Denver in August 2026

Denver has always been the beating heart of Colorado, meaning some of the state’s oldest businesses are right here in town. What better way to celebrate the state turning 150 this weekend than to look at the places that’ve been here for decades?

The following establishments are some of the very best our city has to offer, and they’re only a *little* haunted — promise!

The cozy corner pub on the corner of Platte and 15th streets has been in operation since 1873. Though it’s changed names over the years (it was called Paul’s Place when Jack Kerouac and his friends, Neal Cassady and Allen Ginsberg, used to visit), it’s stayed a Denver institution for more than 150 years.

, the stamped tin ceiling and dimpled wooden tables of the moody space will transport you back in time. If that doesn’t do it, check out Neal Cassady’s framed IOU letter on the wall, which he wrote in 1944 admitting he owed the bar $3-$4 (roughly $75-$95 today).

They’re known for their onion rings and no-frills burgers, which are best enjoyed with a cold pint on their back patio.

 are covered in all manner of antiques, including JFK’s Colorado fishing license, the wedding dress of Sitting Bull’s niece, about 570 taxidermied animals — including a Kodiak Bear — and a dizzying amount of antique firearms.

Former Buckhorn Exchange owner Henry “Shorty Scout” Zietz was the first person in line for a liquor license when prohibition ended in 1933. That’s why this old-school establishment holds Colorado liquor license No. 1 (and why this bar is among Denver’s most special).

Legend has it that Buffalo Bill won nearly all his poker games here because he mixed bourbon with apple juice when everyone else drank it straight. Order a few to test the theory?

🥃 The Cruise Room at The Oxford Hotel (Union Station)

, the bar that opened in 1933 the day after prohibition ended. If you’re not into ghosts, though, there’s still plenty of reasons to visit this Art Deco gem inside the historic Oxford Hotel.

For one, the bar is shaped like a wine bottle and glows with a bright red light that transports you back a century. Second, there’s a retro jukebox belting out sultry tunes. Lastly, this bar was designed by the same person who decorated the RMS Queen Mary, a retired oceanliner that now serves as a hotel and museum.

Order a Tom Collins, the famous house martini, or a captain’s call — their version of a bartender’s choice, from 5-6 p.m. on weekdays.

 is a classic steakhouse that’s been family owned and operated since 1937. They’re known for their secret sugar steak recipe, which entails a cut of beef covered in spices and sugar, then grilled into a caramelized crust.

That sugar rub can be ordered on burgers and steak sandwiches, too, and are best paired with sides like twice-baked potatoes, grilled caesar salad, and a garlic brie mushroom medley.

If you’ve still got room after your sugar steak, top off your meal with their white chocolate bread pudding.

Denver's Oldest Businesses

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What Denverites have been wondering. We break down why things in Denver are the way they are and how they work.

Denver, Explained

Olivia Jewell Love

To celebrate Colorado’s 150th birthday, we decided to ask ourselves…what’s something we would do 150 times in this state because it's

 good? We invited our friend Miriam Moreno, comedian and host of the late night show Goodnight Denver, to help us brainstorm what’s 150-peat worthy in the Mile High.

Olivia’s pick for something worth doing 150 times in Denver is hitting up the Arc Thrift Stores all around the metro. Even though she’s probably already done it 150 times, there’s always something new to find on the next 150 or so trips to check out second-hand wares. Did you know the Arc is one of the largest employers of folks with disabilities in the nation, and 100 million pounds of goods are diverted from landfills each year thanks to Arc? P.S., even on the 4th of July, the weekly 50% off Saturday sale is still happening at Arcs around town!

Bike Rides, Vintage Stores, an Old School Movie House, and Burritos

Paul went wild with this one, because there are a ton of things he’d do 150 times in Denver! Eat Jose Avila’s 

. Wander through the vintage stores on South Broadway. Bike the Cherry Creek Trail all the way to the reservoir. Buy a large popcorn and soda for a show in the big room at 

. And one last, especially personal one: feel a pang of nostalgia walking past the first location of Chipotle on Evans. Hey, the chain’s best days may be behind it, but we’ll always have 1993, right?

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