The bar: Ay Papi, 248 Detroit St., Denver
About: Ay Papi calls itself a Cuban- and Puerto Rican-inspired (by way of Miami) cocktail bar; it comes from Culinary Creative, the restaurant group behind Highland Tap & Burger, Bar Dough, A5 Steakhouse, Mr. Oso and other concepts. Led by company partner and beverage director Nicole Lebedevitch, Ay Papi joins Forget Me Not, another cocktail lounge in Cherry Creek.
What’s on the menu: The rum-focused cocktail program specializes in mojitos, daiquiris and pina coladas. The name, Ay Papi, is a nod to Culinary Creative founder and owner Juan Padro’s Puerto Rican heritage, and there is a painting of Padro’s late father that hangs in the space.
More: Culinary Creative is on a roll. It opened its West Highland neighborhood brunch spot, Fox and the Hen, at 2257 W. 32nd Ave. with “Top Chef” alum Carrie Baird and Dis Burrito owner Michael Fox on June 10. And, the group will open Red Tops Rendezvous, a Detroit-style pizza joint, at 2917 W. 25th Ave., in Denver’s Jefferson Park neighborhood, on July 6.
Opened: July 4, 2023.
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.