The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa to Host 125th Anniversary and Stranahan’s Whiskey Release Party
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Denver has changed a lot since the Brown Palace opened its doors a century and a quarter ago, but one thing has stayed consistent: the city’s grand dame hotel has remained a classic, elegant place to sleep, dine and play. Celebrating its 125th anniversary in August, the hotel has a number of events lined up for its birthday year, including a whiskey release party on May 18.
The landmark hotel teamed up with another Denver institution, Stranahan’s Distillery, to create an exclusive small batch American single malt whiskey crafted with the hotel’s artesian water, and will be serving the limited edition bottles at a ticketed lobby party from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Tickets, which cost $75 per person (plus taxes and gratuity), allow you to sample two 125th Anniversary Whiskey cocktails along with appetizers perfectly paired by Palace Arms Chef Garrett Kasper. There will also be a chance to chat with Stranahan’s Master Distiller, Rob Dietrich. And all reservations made prior to May 11 will be entered in a drawing to win a limited-edition, numbered bottled of the 125th Anniversary Whiskey.
If you can’t make it to the party, the downtown hotel, which is on the National Trust Historic Hotels of America and part of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection, is a perfect choice for weekend cocktails in its elegant atrium lobby — the first of its kind in the US. While the lobby is well-known for its high tea service, it’s also fantastic at night when it transforms into a cocktail lounge with live jazz on weekends and during the 125th anniversary year, Friday evening “Lobby Experiences.” These run from 6-8pm and feature different representatives from breweries, wineries and distillers offering samples of their products. Small bites from the Brown’s six renowned restaurants are also available. Upcoming beverage partnerships will include Graham’s Port and Chateau Sovreign.
After drinks, there are multiple dining options inside the hotel, including The Palace Arms with its unique Napoleonic setting that has won accolades from Zagat and Wine Spectator. It features a mix of traditional items such as Colorado lamb loin and bison rossini, as well as Asian tapas, and locally sourced Colorado specialties. While the Ship Tavern is the hotel’s oldest restaurant, opening in 1934 after prohibition was repealed. The décor includes a collection of sailing ship models and other nautical furnishings including a “mast” and crows nest in the center of the room. A casual menu featuring prime rib, Rocky Mountain trout, and Kobe beef and buffalo burgers, complement its selection of craft beers, microbrews and wines.
Finally, save the date for August 11-13, when the Brown Palace will host a weekend long anniversary celebration with events and specials including serving cocktails popular in the 1890s, staff in period costumes, historical tours, lectures, a specially themed brunch, afternoon tea and more. The highlight will be the Anniversary Block Party on Saturday, August 12, when the festivities will spill over onto a closed Tremont Street where there will be food, drink, chalk art and celebrations to salute Denver’s most iconic hotel on this landmark birthday.
