Rooftop restaurant Rose & Thorn to open in Denver’s RiNo District
Rose & Thorn, an upscale, dual-concept bar and restaurant located within The Penrose at 1740 36th Street in Denver’s River North Arts District, will open its first phase to the public on Saturday, July 12. The venue blends two distinct experiences in one location: Rose, a rooftop bar and restaurant with sweeping views and a reservation-only pool, will debut in July, while Thorn, a sultry underground cocktail lounge, is set to open later this summer.
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A rooftop bar with skyline views, gourmet bites and a VIP pool
Guests will take a dedicated elevator up to Rose, located on the rooftop of The Penrose apartment complex, where they will be welcomed by 360-degree views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountains.
The 4,000-square-foot space will feature a reservation-only pool, a food and beverage program designed for luxury lounging and a blend of indoor and outdoor dining areas. With VIP poolside seating, top-shelf bottle service, five-star hospitality and an open-air grill, the rooftop will offer a refined setting for both daytime relaxation and vibrant evening energy.
Thoughtful design details, including elegant floral wallpaper, warm natural textures, sculptural lighting and velvet and boucle seating, will come together to create a chic, inviting atmosphere. Poolside, guests can enjoy a resort-inspired vibe with woven accents, playful pops of color and lounge furnishings designed for both relaxation and social connection.
Thorn to follow: an underground cocktail lounge with sultry vibes
Later this summer, the experience will expand with the opening of Thorn, the venue’s cocktail lounge. Guests will take the same dedicated elevator down into a dramatically different world that will feature live DJ sets, moody lighting and a curated cocktail menu filled with additional top-shelf libations, providing a sophisticated escape for late-night lounging.
“We set out to create something Denver hasn’t seen: a luxurious, all-day destination that adapts to your mood,” says Ciaran O’Brien, managing partner of Rose & Thorn’s ownership group, Ósta Holdings. “Rose & Thorn is a layered hospitality concept offering a refined atmosphere, whether you are looking to relax in the sun or sink into something a little more intimate. Each space stands on its own, but together they create something truly unique.”
Curated cocktails and a summer-inspired menu lead the way
Rose will launch with an abbreviated grill menu featuring bold, summer-inspired dishes made for al fresco dining. Guests will enjoy light and flavorful options like watermelon salad with mint and lemon vinaigrette, crab guacamole and chips, street corn riblets with poblano lime crema, seared ahi tuna tataki and a selection of gourmet sliders and kebabs.
A curated happy hour menu will also be available during the week, offering elevated small plates such as blistered shishito peppers with citrus ponzu and togarashi aioli, jumbo shrimp cocktail with fresh horseradish-tomato sauce and blackened shrimp and Andouille sausage skewers with garlic-parmesan emulsion.
Later this summer, once the full kitchen buildout is complete, Rose’s menu will expand to include seafood towers, sushi rolls and coastal-inspired bowls and salads, along with weekend brunch offerings.
Experience resort-style luxury in the heart of RiNo
The beverage program at Rose & Thorn matches the ambition of the kitchen. Bar Lead Alan Garcia, a Level 2 Sommelier, has curated a premium wine list and developed a cocktail menu that emphasizes seasonal ingredients and top-shelf spirits. Guests can look forward to twists on classics like a Lavender Paloma and a Fig & Smoke Old Fashioned. There will also be new creations like The Penthouse, a bright and tropical mix of vanilla vodka, passionfruit liqueur, vanilla syrup and lime.
“Every cocktail on our menu is crafted to match the energy of the space: fresh, vibrant and perfect for sipping under the sun or stars,” Garcia says. “We’ve paid just as much attention to the wine list and spirit selection as we have to designing drinks that are both fun and thoughtfully composed. Guests will find familiar flavors with unexpected twists, along with a few playful surprises.”
Additional tableside, large-format and bottle service options will also be available. A rosé-centric cocktail menu will be offered as well, playfully nodding to the venue’s name. Garcia is also designing the forthcoming beverage menu for Thorn, which will focus on more spirit-forward, late-night cocktails to suit the lounge’s moodier atmosphere.
Rose & Thorn grand opening details
Rose & Thorn will host a public grand opening event on Saturday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to midnight. Guests can expect drink activations, live DJs and an all-day rooftop celebration designed to showcase everything Rose & Thorn has to offer.
Rose & Thorn will be open Monday through Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday from noon to midnight and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. Happy hour will be offered on weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Reservations are required for seating in the VIP poolside section, with a selection of seats reserved for apartment residents.
Coming soon: A high-end Airbnb and a moody cocktail den
“The Rose Petal,” a high-end Airbnb unit, will also debut on the penthouse level of The Penrose. This private short-term rental offers unobstructed views of the Denver skyline and is designed for overnight stays, corporate retreats or intimate gatherings. While it operates independently from Rose & Thorn, guests of “The Rose Petal” will enjoy VIP access to the rooftop venue’s amenities, including the reservation-only pool.
For more information about Rose & Thorn, to make reservations and to stay up to date on Thorn’s opening timeline, visit roseandthorndenver.com and follow along on Instagram @roseandthorndenver.
