Oxford Hotel (Denver, Colorado)

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The Oxford Hotel
File:OxfordHotelDenver.jpg
Oxford Hotel (Denver, Colorado) is located in Colorado
Oxford Hotel (Denver, Colorado)
Location 1612 17th St., Denver, Colorado
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Area 0.5 acres (0.20 ha)
Built 1891
Architect Multiple
NRHP Reference # 79000590[1]
CSRHP # 5DV.47.62
Added to NRHP April 17, 1979

The Oxford Hotel[2] is a historic building in Denver, Colorado was built in 1891. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[1] The Cruise Room is a hotel bar with historic art deco interior, that was operated as an illicit speakeasy.

History

The Oxford Hotel was built in 1891. [2]

In the 1950s, the Oxford Hotel was considered a flophouse. In the 1980s a new owner improved the hotel.[3]

The hotel restaurant is has been operated by McCormick's Fish House since they signed a lease with the Oxford Hotel in 1987. McCormick's renovated its interior significantly. Landry's acquired McCormick's in 2011.[4]

The Cruise Room

The Cruise Room is a bar located within the Oxford Hotel, considered a historic, upscale cocktail lounge, and known for its preserved Art Deco interior. It officially opened the day after prohibition ended.[3] The bar is a single, windowless room, on the ground floor of The Oxford Hotel, located between the Corner Bar at McCormick's Fish House and the hotel lobby.[5]

History

The bar opened as part of the Oxford Hotel in 1891, and was known for its martinis, though not originally named the Cruise Room.[3]

During prohibition, The Cruise Room operated as an illicit speakeasy. Employees know of secret paneling and underground tunnels.[6]

After prohibition, The Cruise Room was officially opened (with its full interior and full bar) the day after Prohibition ended.[3] As an extension of the hotel and its restaurant, this bar has operated continually since its official opening.[3]

The Cruise Room has remained an independent establishment, managed in a partnership between the operator of the restaurant (now McCormick's, owned by Landry's) and the Oxford Hotel. [4]

In 2012, the Cruise Room was restored, including historically accurate paint and light-pumpkin color. The marble floor was also replaced.[4] This restoration was initiated by owner/developer Dana Crawford, who became a partner in the Oxford Hotel in 1980.[4]

The drinks menu was also updated, emphasizing "mixology", and includes drinks like "Pineapple Julep", "Whiskey Clover Smash", and "Pomegranate Sling".[7] The bar also offers more than a dozen martinis, served from over-sized martini shakers.[6]

Wait staff wear flapper girl attire.[8]

Interior design

The interior was modeled after a lounge on the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary. The design was by architect Charles Jaka,[9] and featured Art Deco bas-relief wall panels stretch from floor to ceiling, created by Denver artist Alley Henson. Each panel depicts a "toast" from a different culture around the world.[10] The interior has an unusual color juxtaposition, with red lighting shining down on chrome trim and historically accurate light-pumpkin-colored walls.[4][3] The entire room is subtly shaped like a wine bottle.[6]

One of the wall panel depicts Germans toasting, and features Hitler. This panel was taken down during World War II, and was replaced by one depicting Ireland..[4]

Awards

  • Best Classic Cocktail, 2009, Westward magazineLua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

See also

References

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File:Oxford Hotel, Denver, Colorado (1921).jpg
Oxford Hotel, 1921


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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Official website
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ http://www.theoxfordhotel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Cruise-Mixology-List.pdf
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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