Denver Info

[mmanne]

Hi everyone,
I'm headed to a volleyball tournament in Denver in early June. I won't have a car and will be staying in Denver, but was hoping to get a little poker time in, if possible. I've heard that the casinos are about 45 minutes away, is there any easy way to reach them sans car? Any other vital info I need for playing some hold em while I'm there?

Thanks,
matt

[MtSmalls]

There are a couple of bus services that run up the hill, more frequently on the weekends. If you are staying at a relatively decent hotel, they should have some info. They don't make a lot of stops, so it may be tough to get one close to where you are staying.

[HDPM]

where are you staying in Denver? May have more restaurant recs and stuff than casino recs.

[mmanne]

I'm going to be staying at the Marriot for 5 days, then the Westin for 3. I assume they're both right downtown, probably near some convention center type thing ... any advice is always appreciated

matt

[HDPM]

Yeah I think so. I am assuming you are at Westin Tabor Center which is downtown in a good location. I've been to stuff there and spent a night or two once. If the mariott is the one at 17th and california it is a slightly worse location - but still right downtown and close to things.

Strong recommendation for drinking at the Cruise Room bar at the Oxford hotel. Oxford is good to go eat at too. Westin is convenient to all the LODO stuff which changes constatly and I am less familiar w/ various restaurants down there. Denver Chop House is OK. Chain steak places - Ruth's Chris etc... - OK. If you go to a baseball game there are places around there of course. If you have a car your horizons broaden. A bunch of places are near downtown but a drive. What sort of stuff do you like?

[smoore]

I know there are shuttle busses that run up and down the canyon constantly, I dont' know where they pick up in denver. There is a $5 max bet so the games are either 2-5 spread, 5/5 or 3/5 blinds, 5 bet the whole way. You'll definitely want to rethink some vital structured concepts (waiting until the turn to raise for protection, especially). Most of the rooms have nightly tournaments, players seated in ring games get first chance to sign up, then they go to the list. All rooms have mealticket comps for a few hours play, I don't know if there's a poker rate in any of them.

[J.A.Sucker]

I spend a lot of time in downtown Denver, so I have some stuff to offer:

Best steak: Morton's (not close)

Other great restaurants: Samba Room (Cuban), there's a great sushi place (in Denver, this is amazing) across the street from the Westin in Writer's Square, and there's a terrific Russian place (Red Square, I think) also in Writer's Square. Go there, see Pasha and drink all of the flavored, frozen vodkas that they make. It's the real deal - pickles on the side and excellent food. There's also some great fusion place that we hit that is French-Asian, and surprisingly, it works. I forgot the name, but it's at the end of the mall, across the walking bridge.

For lunch, you would do yourself a favor to hit Illegal Pete's for a chicken and black bean burrito and a pitcher of beer. Trust me.

There's tons of bars downtown, and the places that are hopping aren't hard to find. Lots of good looking ladies.

Long time Coloradoan,

Sucker.

[fluxrad]

[ QUOTE ]
Best steak: Morton's (not close)

Other great restaurants: Samba Room (Cuban), there's a great sushi place (in Denver, this is amazing) across the street from the Westin in Writer's Square, and there's a terrific Russian place (Red Square, I think) also in Writer's Square.

[/ QUOTE ]

This guy's from Boston, he's coming to Denver and you're not going to send him to La Loma?!?!?! WTF is wrong with you, man?

Other good restaraunts around the downtown area (cab fare at most): City Grille (best burger in Denver), Sonoda's Sushi, and The Chophouse (excellent steak).

Bug your concierge about a bus ride to Blackhawk/Central City. I believe they have shuttles that pick up at all the hotels.

[HDPM]

As to JAS: I've never had a particularly good meal at the Denver Morton's. I would rather go to the Denver Chop house which I don't think is great.

La Loma? Nah. For easterners who want some Mexican food it is either Brewery Bar II or Bennys. Brewery Bar green could well shock the constitution of an east coaster to the point of death, but IMO it is worth it. Bennys is good and easier to take for the delicate of stomach.


P.S. Not having a car makes either bennys or BBII harder to get to. bennys is close to downtown, but still a little trek. BBII not too far, but a car/cab is necessary.

[fluxrad]

You know, I don't think any two Coloradans will ever agree on where the best mexican food is.

Well, we can all agree it's not Casa Bonita ;-)