The Cooper Lounge — Restaurant in Denver

The Cooper Lounge, nestled within the grand expanse of Denver’s Union Station, is a time capsule that transports you back to the golden era of the 1920s. As you step inside, the thick scent of polished wood mingles with the faint tang of aged whiskey, creating an atmosphere steeped in the elegance of a bygone age. The soft murmurs of hushed conversations blend seamlessly with the low hum of jazz, the occasional clink of ice against crystal glassware, and the steady rhythm of a piano, adding a layer of warmth to the air.

The space itself is a masterpiece of Art Deco and Beaux-Arts architecture. Gold accents glint against dark mahogany and leather, while tall, arched windows harbor sheets of glass that stretch across the building, their surfaces smooth and almost transparent in the night. The soft light from within the station reflects gently against them casting faint, glowing patterns across the surrounding area. Outside, the world is shrouded in the quiet of the evening, with only a hint of moonlight or distant city lights brushing against the glass. The windows seem to capture the stillness of the night, blurring the boundary between the warmth of inside and the cool, dark expanse beyond. Velvet-upholstered seating beckon from every corner, their deep burgundy and navy hues providing an intimate cocoon for patrons. Above, the intricate plasterwork of the ceiling forms delicate patterns, a quiet nod to the grandeur of the station itself. Polished brass chandeliers hang like jewels, their light casting a soft glow on the faces of those gathered within.

The air carries the subtle scent of cigar smoke, mingling with the perfume of expensive cologne, as travelers and denizens of the city alike sip their cocktails. A hint of ginger and citrus from expertly mixed gin fizzes and lingers in the air, while the mellow sweetness of rum-based concoctions reminds you of the time when prohibition was the undercurrent of every gathering.

As you settle into the warmth of velvet beneath you, the gentle vibrations of jazz permiates the room, their lively notes conjuring images of flapper dresses, sharp tuxedos, and the electric thrill of a night just beginning. You’re not merely in a bar—you’re in a living, breathing piece of history, where the world outside fades away, and the only thing that matters is the moment. Here, at Cooper's Lounge, the 1920s never left.

Such an enchanting spot. One of my favorites...

This review is 1⭐️ specifically based on service. 5⭐️ on ambiance. Having frequented this lounge during the years I lived in Denver I was quite disappointed when my partner and I hosted a surprise engagement party for twelve people. Upon making the reservation I kindly informed the host that I would be calling back the day of our event to go over important details like not asking if the entire party was present (several were hiding inside Union Station) and to have two bottles of champagne delivered to the table once everyone was seated. We were flying in from Phoenix the day of the event and after seven unanswered phone calls to the lounge we arrived with a slight sting to the evening. The surprise was unanimously loved by all and even brought tears to our future brides eyes. However, what we experienced in service was unacceptable. The server seemed distracted none the least and to be honest left the table with numerous empty cocktail glasses without an offer to refill. There was no champagne surprise as the lounge simply refused to answer our telephone calls or opt to return said calls. The father of the groom picked up the bill and I, his partner and fellow member of the service community, suggested that due to lack of service on such a special evening that the service did not warrant a twenty percent gratuity. He left ten percent which is more than what I would have left. Needless to say, as we were leaving the event our server had the audacity to confront him and demand why he left an amount she deemed too low for her "service." He graciously responded that there literally wasn't any service and felt he left an amount that was appropriate to the evenings event. Just because it is the holiday season and just because your venue is in a beautiful location does not mean that you are automatically entitled to a twenty percent gratuity. Had the server done her job and checked in on us periodically there would have been no issue with the amount of gratuity that was left. All in all the happy couple had a wonderful surprise party. We refuse to let one persons poor service ruin such a happy occasion. However I will not be recommending Cooper Lounge nor return in the future. Signed, A once very...

This is the second time I try coming to this bar and both times I have been received with the worst customer service.

If customer service is important to you avoid this place and their snotty staff at all costs! I highly suggest heading to the bar on the first floor for friendlier service!

A few months ago, some friends and I tried stopping by after an Avs game for drinks. We informed the host we just wanted to grab a quick drink at the bar while waiting for our train. After the host led us to the bar, the bartender gave us attitude and said he wasn’t expecting our group to be this large (5 people). We mentioned we informed the host that we wanted to grab a quick drink and the bartender was visibly annoyed, so much that we ended up leaving and going to the bar downstairs. Now for the second occasion where I received extremely poor service: My fiancée and I stopped by a week ago and asked the hostess if we would be able to take engagement photos at the bar. She was super nice and said it was fine as long as we came before they opened at 4 pm. We showed up yesterday at 3:30 pm and there was a different hostess. When we told her what the previous hostess had said about it being ok for us to take some photos, she said it was too close to opening time and she had to change some signs and seemed visibly annoyed. She gave us nasty stares and told us we could only shoot for “5 minutes”. Mind you the bar was empty as they hadn’t opened yet. This affected my photographer’s mood so much that we chose to leave and head to the bar downstairs, where they welcomed us with excellent service and friendly staff. It really put a damper on our special day, as we had asked and previously received permission to shoot there, but we didn’t want to deal with the nasty attitude and stares from the hostess. I will be telling my family and friends to...