Swanky cocktail lounges tend to have a few things in common. They’re posh, yes, but they also seem to favor dark and masculine; trying to capture that shadowy speakeasy feel. That’s what makes Forget Me Not so unexpectedly delightful. It’s equally—if not more—luxurious than that boys’ club vibe, but bright, cheery and filled with elegant feminine energy. It also just might be serving the best drinks in the city.
Forget Me Not opened in early spring, following a three-year renovation of a former flower shop on Clayton Street. Its oversized purple leather bar stools, long red velvet banquettes and rose gold feathered chandelier are arguably just as lovely as the blooms that used to occupy the room. It was built specifically to showcase the talents of cocktail whiz Nicole Lebedevitch, and the drinks and space converge so beautifully that Forget Me Not has become an instant classic.
It helps that there’s a spacious, picket fence-perimetered patio, a gorgeous floral mural, that stunning interior space, and an eclectic food menu, but what you’re coming back for are the drinks. Each is better than the last, and you’ll have a hard time choosing between the house-favorite La Pina with blanco tequila, smoked pineapple, cucumber and jalapeño, and the boozier Come Clean, a blend of aloe liqueur, vodka, maraschino and rhubarb bitters. The non-alcoholic Green Machine—Seedlip, cucumber, and salted lemon—is just as carefully created.
If you need guidance—and you will, because again, everything just sounds so good—the main cocktails are helpfully divided up into categories ranging from Refreshing to Something to Sip On to Citrus and Spice. Or you can entrust the talented bartenders to make you something of their choosing. Bigger groups can share the punchy large-format cocktails, which are a lot of fun and a lot of drink. You really can’t go wrong no matter how or what you order. It’s just that kind of place.
When you need a bite to wash down your drink, you’ve got some options. The cheese and salumi boards are packed with both local and international creations, and they’re rounded out with addictive fruit compote and violet mustard. There’s also a healthy selection of tinned fish, caviar and, depending on the night, oysters, or a line-up of small plates running the gamut from Marcona almonds and ultra-fresh crudité, to, well, a hot dog and lobster roll.
Forget Me Not is surprising in the best possible way. It’s blazing its own dazzling, sunny trail in Cherry Creek, proving that lounges don’t have to be dark to be luxe, or masculine to be impressive. It’s a breath of fresh air, made even better by that breath coming with a side of incredible cocktails.
ForgetMeNotDenver.com
