The Velvet Cellar pairs refined dining with a laid-back, comfortable ambiance

Dec. 19, 2024

Photo by Ambitious Studio* | Rick Barrett on Unsplash

The team at The Velvet Cellar, a locally owned restaurant in Lower Downtown Denver, works to make elements of fine dining more approachable by blending them with an inviting and casual atmosphere.

Reilly Chunn, the owner of The Velvet Cellar, said in an email interview that the restaurant offers locally sourced food, cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks and wine flights in a relaxed setting.

“The Velvet Cellar is a neighborhood gem in LoDo that is intended to be a place where people can enjoy our wine variety, bespoke cocktails and fresh, locally sourced food in a refined but unfussy setting. We aim for an atmosphere of fun, casual elegance supported by warm and friendly service,” Chunn said.

The restaurant’s menus feature a lineup of New American food that changes seasonally while retaining clientele favorites. Chunn said The Velvet Cellar strives to offer options that meet every customer’s needs.

“We have something for everyone. We are sensitive to dietary restrictions and allergens. We also are proud to feature Colorado beef from Centennial Cuts, a cattle ranch located in Fowler, Colorado,” he said.

The Velvet Cellar also has separate rotating menus for wines and cocktails, and they offer a large collection of rotating wines to try. While they started with more than 200 varietals, they now focus more on keeping the selections fresh and inclusive.

Chunn said having this range of options allows customers with any level of wine-tasting experience to partake without feeling intimidated.

“We wanted to have a very wide berth that satisfied the most seasoned connoisseur but would also allow newcomers to experience wine in an approachable way and not feel intimidated. The varietals and label selections are in constant rotation, so we don’t want to stick to a number, but I will say that our wine list is deep and intentional,” Chunn said.

The Velvet Cellar offers wine and spirit pairings every month, dine-in special items and monthly tasting menus to explore. According to their Facebook page, they also have specials during their happy hour, which takes place Tuesday through Friday each week from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Velvet Cellar opened a year ago this month in the Saddlery Building, which Chunn said makes it accessible for people visiting Union Station, Mile High Stadium, Ball Arena and Coors Field.

In the time it has been open, Chunn said the restaurant’s team has worked to channel the building’s warm and comfortable look into their environment, which customers seem to value.

“Our guests definitely appreciate our kindness and warmth. I want to make sure that everyone that walks in our space is treated exceptionally well,” he said.

Maintaining a welcoming environment that complements The Velvet Cellar’s menu fulfills purposes beyond customer satisfaction.

Chunn said that everything from The Velvet Cellar’s aesthetic to its menu items are an homage to his mother. “Everything that I thought about from [its] design, to food, to ambiance [and] to the overall vibe – I asked myself if this is something my mom would enjoy,” he said.

Chunn noted that his mother and other women in his family had a significant positive influence on his upbringing.

“She had me at a very young age, and while my dad was busy working, it was just the two of us, and the support of my grandparents and my parents’ siblings. The women in my family had a profound developmental impact on me since I was mostly around them while I was young,” he said.

For Chunn, having a welcoming restaurant atmosphere also means his team feels cared for, supported and appreciated. He values their contributions and the fact that they helped make The Velvet Cellar what it is today.

“I am honestly proud of my team. It’s not easy starting something from scratch when you have to work with limited resources and are doing the best you can to navigate the various challenges from Denver’s regulations, the economy and a downtown that still hasn’t come back the way we hoped yet. Despite all of those challenges, my team has been there,” Chunn said.

More information on The Velvet Cellar’s menus and hours of operation can be found on their website. A recent article from their blog with suggestions and information regarding accessibility, making reservations and more can be viewed here.

Those interested can also follow The Velvet Cellar on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for announcements and other content.