Colorado Sake Co. — Restaurant in Denver

I do want to open with the fact that this is not my first time at Colorado Sake, and I actually had great experiences in the past! I also want to shout out our bartender, who despite being in training was very professional and on top of things.

We did show up hoping to get on the waitlist for the comedy club, knowing full well that we probably wouldn’t make it in. That’s fine, except the staff member we spoke to (not our amazing bartender) all but promised that we would make it in. I’m not shocked that we didn’t, but it was really off putting to be told over and over again that we would almost certainly make it in and then be told at the absolute last minute that there was no room. Just be honest and say the event is sold out and we’re on the list but no promises. First rule of customer service is to under promise and over deliver where you can.

Never mind that though, because the food is very good -when it actually makes it to your table. We ordered one basic roll and an order of gyoza. The basic roll took north of 30 minutes to show up. It was delicious! But it seemed bizarre that it took so long. Frankly it probably wouldn’t have bothered me so much except that another staff member informed us that the comedy club had its own kitchen in the event that we wanted to order food while at the show if we made it in. I would think that means that orders placed in the sold out comedy club wouldn’t affect the restaurant side, so I can’t tell if the restaurant side was moving extremely slow or if that was completely made up. Our gyoza never showed up, and after about an hour of waiting, we decided to head out.

I would really like to give Colorado sake another try! I do overall feel like management needs to do a refresh with the staff because it seemed like there were major communication issues. I also suspect the kitchen is in need it reorganization based on how long we waited. That said, I’m not willing to write off this business and let an underwhelming night ruin my impression of what otherwise has...

I had read reviews of this place where people said the food was "authentic." Lol. I think they may have been white people, and I think people should disclose that. "As a European American who has never been to Japan or eaten at a Japanese-American's friend's house, because I haven't got any, I'd say this place has authentic Japanese cuisine." Make a note, white folks.

As someone who is Japanese American, and whose family only kept food when they assimilated, the food was terrible. Everything tasted like they made it and then dumped a metric ton of salt into it. The sauces came out like cheap American-style Chinese restaurants do it, with everything thick as hell and a little bit off — especially the miso roasted carrots, which were seriously terrible. I couldn't eat them.

I took a group of six there to celebrate my birthday, and we all got different plates and shared. It seems the only ones to come out okay were the chicken wings (ish, it was still weird), unagi scallion sushi roll, and the California roll (I didn't try it but my friend said it was good. He is not Japanese). Everything else tasted a little off or like salt.

The ambiance and the service was wonderful, and the mocktails were pretty good! I would say that if you want fun ambiance, mocktails, and slightly sassy, fun service, this would be a great place. Also, they have shows in the back — I went to a drag rendition of Frankenstein last year that was incredible! But if you want actually good food, especially authentic Japanese food, do...

Colorado Sake Company is pure artistry in motion—a place where craftsmanship, creativity and community come together in perfect harmony. From the moment I stepped through the door, the energy felt alive with purpose and passion. The service is impeccable: warm, welcoming and effortlessly knowledgeable, making me feel like both guest and friend.

The menu is a masterclass in inventive pairings, but the char siu bao absolutely steals the show. Pillowy soft, filled with tender, caramelized pork and a hint of sweetness, it’s the kind of dish that stops conversation mid-sentence. Paired with a flight of small-batch sakes—or better yet, the unforgettable Sake Mule—it became an experience I’ll remember long after the last bite. The Sake Mule itself is a revelation: crisp, gingery and perfectly balanced, it captures the soul of the restaurant—unexpected, refined and refreshingly bold.

At the heart of it all is William Stuart, whose vision and innovation have positioned him as a true leader in his craft. His ability to blend tradition with fearless creativity has redefined what sake can be in America. Every detail, from the fermentation tanks to the final garnish, reflects his deep respect for the process and his drive to push boundaries. And we reap the rewards.

Colorado Sake Company isn’t just a restaurant or tasting room—it’s an experience of artistry and imagination. Bravo to William Stuart and his team for creating something truly...