Revival Denver Public House — Restaurant in Denver

“It is as written.” This is what our server Nathan told us when my friend asked if there was pork or sausage in the red beans and rice. Those who have made red beans and rice or eaten authentic Cajun food would recognize this. This conversation began when we shared our food restrictions and Nathan shared there are “plenty” of things on the menu, as what I was inquiring about were “just the sides.” He then started at the top of the menu with bison and sausage. My friend and I shake our heads (not stopping Nathan). However, Nathan scolded us and stated he didn’t need to know what we didn’t like, that he would go through the menu and share what his preferences were. However, this is NOT what was asked of him. I asked for popular dishes and dishes that did not include foods listed in our restrictions. I was specifically asking about his suggestions AND the sides. He then walked away. I still had questions. He returned and asked if we were ready and I shared that I still had questions given he was not responsive to what was asked. He asked what our question was and I asked about the “greens” and as someone who has had greens, cooked greens for decades, and was raised by Black women from the South who cook I know this dish well. He says— “it’s actually chard.” This is surprising given greens are traditionally collards, turnips, or mustards. This is not noted on the menu. Nathan then shares that is “more like spinach.”

Another friend asked if there was gluten in the cornbread. Nathan shared it was "just cornmeal." If you know cornbread well, you know that there is likely some form of flour in it unless it is the traditional cornbread or a mixture with gluten free flour. Again-- I've made both. A notation that offers if it is gluten free or not would have been helpful.

At this point, I recognize that I should stay away from anything inspired by New Orleans or soul food as these dishes could have pork in them. After all, “as written” was not accurate to my knowledge of these dishes now. I select the traditional chicken sandwich— mistake. It was basically a very thick batter and more batter than chicken (a 2:1 ratio of batter to chicken). My friend also ordered the chicken sandwich and it was pink and she ended up eating the bun.

The only dish that I had that was good were the Brussel sprouts. The slaw I got was extremely dry and I didn't eat much of it. Another friend had the burger with gluten free bread and was pleased, and another friend had the duck and said the portion wasn’t sufficient.

I can say, this is the first time I have been scolded by a waiter. I will also note that I decided to tip after one friend shared she has been a waiter and the pay can be insufficient. So we did. Given that we are all in social fields as professionals, we recognized the limitations. I do hope that this review will offer insights to Revival of how Nathan treated myself and my friend. We were all in town for conferences and were interested in trying their “comfort foods.” I was not comforted during or after this visit. I won’t be referring anyone to Revival, unfortunately. I only stayed because one friend had another obligation to get to and I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone. In hindsight, I should have left as the rest of the meal was uncomfortable. If you are in town for NARST, NSELA, CCCS, or...

We visited Revival Denver Public House on a Wednesday for happy hour, and the experience exceeded our expectations from start to finish. As soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted by a young woman who promptly asked where we would like to sit. She followed us with menus in hand, setting the tone for a friendly and welcoming visit.

The happy hour pricing at Revival is impressively reasonable. I started with an Old Fashioned and a Coors Light, both for under $10—a deal that’s hard to beat in Denver. The drink menu offered a solid selection of well-crafted cocktails and classic beers, making it easy to find something for everyone. The ambiance was cozy and inviting, with the soft notes of old-time jazz playing in the background, creating the perfect atmosphere for a midweek unwind.

Our server, Miranda, was a standout. From the moment she approached our table, she was warm, attentive, and genuinely eager to help us navigate the menu. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of the offerings made us feel right at home. When we weren’t sure what to snack on, she recommended the pretzel crab dip, and it turned out to be a great choice. While it did take a bit longer than expected to arrive, it was worth the wait. The dip had just the right balance of creamy texture and subtle seafood flavor, complemented perfectly by the warm, soft pretzels. It was a delightful start to our meal.

For our main bites, we decided to try something unique from the menu—the “Lunch Lady” sliders. These sliders were a nostalgic surprise, reminding me of late-night kitchen experiments from years past, particularly involving bologna. However, these weren’t your average, slapped-together sandwiches. The sliders were elevated with a touch of elegance, offering a familiar yet refined flavor that left us thoroughly impressed. The combination of comfort and creativity in these sliders was remarkable, and they’re a must-try for anyone visiting Revival.

Beyond the food and drinks, the environment at Revival deserves special recognition. The old-time jazz music playing softly in the background created a relaxing vibe that felt like stepping into a bygone era. It’s clear that Revival has put thought into every detail, from the menu to the ambiance, to create a truly memorable experience.

What stood out most during our visit was the exceptional service. Miranda not only made excellent recommendations but also checked on us throughout the meal, ensuring we had everything we needed without being intrusive. She truly enhanced our visit, and her attentiveness added to the overall charm of the place. It’s rare to find servers who genuinely care about creating a great experience for their guests, and Miranda went above and beyond.

Revival Denver Public House was the perfect introduction to our time in Denver. From the reasonably priced happy hour drinks to the thoughtful, comforting menu and warm service, this spot is a gem that we’ll remember fondly. Whether you’re a local looking for a cozy happy hour destination or a visitor seeking a welcoming start to your Denver adventure, Revival delivers on all fronts.

Thank you, Revival, for such a wonderful experience. We’ll definitely be back on our next...

I had an incredibly poor dining experience at Revival Denver Public House yesterday afternoon (9/13/25). The manager was redundant, defensive and painfully inadequate in his approach, handling and closing of the situation. The recovery could've been simple. Unfortunately, the experience was spoiled even further because of that encounter. As such, I felt compelled to write this review.

Spent 2 hours and nearly $300 in food and beverages at the restaurant bar as a party of 2. (Note: the bartenders were wonderful and very friendly). Ordered an entree just after 3:30pm. It didn't come out until nearly 5:00pm (inquired twice about the delay). Requested the check and noticed nothing compensatory for the delay. (Our original bartender's shift had ended and a second bartender had arrived.) Brought this to the second bartender's attention and he let us know he would have to involve management. This is where things quickly devolved.

The manager came out and asked what was going on. I let him know about the delay in receiving the entree. He proceeded to briefly (but arrogantly) argue with me. He told me the dish I ordered has a 25 minute prep time. I said that's great but it took 70 minutes. At that point he pivoted and said the kitchen showed the entree was prepared within that window. Again, I affirmed that as incorrect. (Not to mention (but | will) that our receipt had our entire order timestamped on it as well). Then he said he would check the cameras and speak to the bartender that originally serviced us (not sure if the first bartender had simply left the floor or had actually left the restaurant post hand off).

The manager had every opportunity to salvage this. To handle it with a level of care, professionalism and discernment. He failed at all three. Even post-slimy camera comment, I sat there thinking hmm weird and accusatory but I'm sure he'll return and correct course. But no, it got worse. When he returned, he didn't acknowledge me at all (the one who lodged the complaint directly) but instead directed his apology and communication to my male companion ONLY. I received zero acknowledgment. And after all of that, he removed just $24 from the bill.

Without a doubt, this was the worst dining experience l've ever had. Not due to kitchen error but because the manager was shockingly insufficient, wildly unprofessional and ultimately pretty gross. He had many opportunities to do the right thing and repeatedly chose to diminish the guest experience. This was truly a one-of-a-kind...