Welcome to the garden of Eden

Anyone who pays attention to the bar scene in Denver knows that bars in this town either last a lifetime or come and go as quickly as a one night stand. I had been hearing for weeks about this new lesbian bar called Eden.

If you don’t capture lesbians right away and keep them interested, you’ll lose them back to wine at their friends’ house or beers in the backyard.

So, when people kept asking me if I had been to Eden,  but  nobody could tell me what it was like, I knew it was time for a lesbian adventure.

This garden is located in the big green building on the corner of 31st and Downing Street, taking over where the bar Swallows used to be.
The rainbow flag is still flying outside; it’s just being waved by a woman these days.

Behind the garden gate you enter a great patio that is perfect for rallying the members of your group before you enter. Sometimes there are multiple people in your party and if you’re like me, you want to walk in together.

Outside, the building walls are covered with paintings of women wrapped in vines. From the minute you arrive, you face biblical temptation.

Upon entering you are greeted by pots of flowers and amazing art. It’s already different from any other establishment in town.
The theme is class. The theme is women.

I love my lesbians. And don’t get me wrong, I love dive bars, too. I have just never understood why most lesbian bars tend to be dives. We find ourselves often wondering:  wouldn’t it be nice to have a place to hang out that doesn’t feel like I’m overdressed if I’ve just come from a business meeting.

Eden is that place.

This little joint has tablecloths.

Wait, what?

Tablecloths?

Are you sure this a lesbian bar?

Yes, it is, and they have food too.

For the most skeptical: the pool table among all the foliage proves my point.

Brittany Joseph has been given the task of managing this “garden” and she has filled it with some delightful temptations. The bartenders are all friendly, accommodating and well I’m just going to say it, hot. The lovely and talented bartender Traci is hard at work creating new drinks daily to entice and entertain.

From the “Ginger Kicker” to the “Poison Apple” I wasn’t afraid to try them all.

With ample patio space, my friends who smoke can enjoy their cocktails at the same time. That’s right, no standing out on the street like persona non grata.

If you’re a sports fan, you’re in luck. If there is a sport being televised, they’ve got it playing on several screens. But, not just your typical “bar” sports, they are also the home bar for the Denver Roller Dolls. So Joseph and her staff make sure to stream roller derby from all over the country. There is no better feeling than being surrounded by roller derby fans. They are just as enthusiastic about it as a sport as any hardcore football fan.

I am officially thrilled. Pool, food, cocktails, tablecloths, lesbians, hot bartenders and sports.

It’s a perfect spot for eating, meeting or hanging out with lesbians. I love it when I can mix business with pleasure. And it seems the rest of the Denver lesbians love it too. Each week more women are finding their way down to the garden.

Owner Marty Chernoff (read: Tracks) has dedicated this space for lesbians. And since my first visit, I have seen him and his beautiful wife there on a regular basis. In fact, although it is a “lesbian” bar/restaurant, Eden is being embraced by many people – straight, queer or gay – that live in the neighborhood. I have even seen plenty of straight couples there for an early dinner, alone or with their children. That always makes me happy. As much as I like having a “lesbian clubhouse,” it’s also really nice to see people enjoying it because it’s just a great place to be.

The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing. It’s the kind of place that you don’t mind walking into alone. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of my visits to Eden.

If you do decide to stop by, chances are you’ll see me there, getting down on a plate of quinoa sliders.