Oxford Hotel (Denver, Colorado)
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The Oxford Hotel
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| Location | 1612 17th St., Denver, Colorado |
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| 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.
Contents
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
- Westword Magazine, Best Secular Pilgrimage (2003): Rocky Mountain Audio Guides. Mentions the Cruise Room.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Official website
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.theoxfordhotel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Cruise-Mixology-List.pdf
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- Pages with broken file links
- Hotels in Denver, Colorado
- Hotel buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Colorado
- Romanesque Revival architecture in Colorado
- 1890s architecture in the United States
- Hotel buildings completed in 1891
- Hotels established in 1891
- Colorado Registered Historic Place stubs
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