DENVER - Every Friday we'll be visiting a different neighborhood around the city. We want to discover what makes those areas so special for those who live there. Last week, we explored RiNo. If you have a suggestion for this week's neighborhood please let us know! You can follow along on our walking tours on Twitter and Instagram with #9neighborhoods. You can also follow us on snap chat: denver9news.
What is RiNo?
River North, nicknamed RiNo, is the area just north of downtown to the east of I-25 near the train tracks. What was once strictly an industrial district is having a renaissance as an arts hotspot. Full of studios, galleries, breweries, cafes, and more the emerging neighborhood still has an industrial vibe while attracting new and trendy businesses almost daily. On the first Friday of every month galleries in the area open their doors from six until nine each night for a free and festive art walk. Although it is primarily known for its art scene, the area is also becoming a staple for foodies and music lovers.
Highlights
The Source
The artisan food market features 14 vendors including a cheese shop, coffee house, butcher, florist, bar, and brewery. It is located in a former 1880s brick foundry; a perfect example of RiNo's industrial updated industrial feel. Two friends enjoying a beer and lunch at the foodie haven described it best: it's not just a restaurant, it's an experience. Brittany Philipsen, who lives nearby, described it has an "all-inclusive gathering place" where she enjoys meeting friends in a place where they can both grab food, drinks, and walk around and enjoy the vendors.
List of Vendors:
More Info:
Location: 3350 Brighton Blvd
Website: http://www.thesourcedenver.com/
Helikon Gallery and Studios
Just one of the many galleries and studios that make RiNo a thriving arts district, Helikon is a great example of what brings both artists and art lovers to the neighborhood. Gallery director Cayce Goldberg opened Helikon in October of 2013, but his family has been in the area since 1919 when they owned a lumber and hardware business. The current gallery was the service garage for that company - a perfect example of the shifting roll of many of RiNos industrial buildings. Helikon houses two gallery spaces and 14 art studios along with both coffee and gift shops. Gallery shows rotate about every month and admission is always free. When asked why Cayce thinks RiNo has such a thriving art scene he said he often hears the art is more genuine, the area has history and character, it's easier to find parking and people appreciate the fact that many working artists are in the same area the art is being displayed.
Other Galleries/Studios:
More Info:
Location: 3675 Wynkoop
Website: http://www.helikongallery.com/
Beryls, Stem, and Infinte Monkey
Colorado's craft beer scene is exploding in virtually every corner of the state. That said, RiNo is one of the premiere neighborhoods to explore for breweries of every variety - whether you love beer or prefer other types of alcoholic beverages like cider or wine (ok, so that one isn't a brewery). Calvin Beasley, a healthcare worker and homebrewer who decided to venture into commercial brewing, opened Beryl's Beer Co. about a year ago in RiNo. He says the industrial area makes it accessible to the industry and the vibe of the neighborhood attracts unique breweries - like his that specializes in barrel-ages beers. But unique doesn't just mean beer. RiNo is also home to one of only two cideries in the metro area - Stem Ciders. And if you don't like breweries at all, RiNo is even home to Infinite Monkey Theorem. The urban winery is known for it's canned wines - made to be easy to transport and good for the environment - but their tasting room also offers wine on tap and in bottles. As Beasley best said when asked to describe RiNo in one word, the neighborhood's bar scene: "eclectic."
Other breweries/Wineries:
More Info:
Beryl's Beer Co.: 3120 Blake St; http://www.berylsbeerco.com/
Stem Ciders: 2811 Walnut St #150; http://www.stemciders.com/
Infinite Monkey Theorem: 3200 Larimer St; http://www.theinfinitemonkeytheorem.com/
Photos
Stats
Median Home Value: $265,300
Median rent: $2,517
Map
(© 2015 KUSA)
