Inside: Meadowlark

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In the ornithological world, a meadowlark is a species of largely insectivorous grassland birds distinguished by rich flutey whistles and extensively yellow or red underparts. On Larimer Street, the Meadowlark is a surreptitious bar marked by the muffled sounds of sultry chanteuses and indie ensembles creeping up to street level and similarly red accents. Using what resembles an archaic symbol for ‘M,' (maybe Cyrillic?) a backlit neon sign indicates the steep and narrow stone stairs leading down into Meadowlark. Tipplers beware; these are not the type of steps one would want to experience with anything other than the soles of the shoe. On the positive side, falling up the steps upon exit will only result in mild scrapes and minor humiliation.

Décor: Meadowlark décor hovers somewhere between Western hunting lodge and prohibition era Speakeasy. Stone walls and exposed pipes would lend a cold air to the space were it not softened by dim, low-hanging light fixtures and a polished wooden horseshoe bar surrounded by leather seats and high booths. The retro taxidermic theme includes deer, a mountain goat and possibly an ibex head keeping silent watch over the ironic hunters working game of a different sort at the bar. Modern art by local artists adorns the wall adding some color to the otherwise muted tones and unfinished mise en scene. Branding themselves as "Denver's most intimate venue" for live music, the area inside is limited to just over 70 patrons. A small stage, slightly raised, towards the back limits most acts to numbers a certain Walt Disney mouse could count on one hand. But Meadowlark has recently upped the ante with an outdoor stage conducive to larger and louder productions. Located in a garden level patio up the back steps, the stage is part of an impressive secluded outdoor area that might be described as Japanese Industrial. Built around a central small garden and roofed by open cantilevered trellises of wood and steel, the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui has been employed to create an aura of positive Qi. Though the surroundings inside the chain link fence are harmonious, outside warehouses and street activity lend a gritty urban ambience.

Drinks: Drinks can run on the plus side of expensive, but the selection of bottled domestics, microbrews and imports is decent. Drafts are only available at the patio bar, when it's open, which seems only during outdoor shows. Happy hour(s) from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday offers $3 domestics and wells, $3.50 imports and microbrews, $5 Absolut martinis and $3 Kamikazee shots (just don't re-enact any kamikazee maneuvers near the stairs). Tuesday nights, act like you're from the neighborhood and enjoy $1 PBRs and $2 domestics and wells.

Crowd: In tune with the low key nature of the bar, the atmosphere is refined and demure. Happy hour sees the after-work warriors looking to decompress, but in the evenings, the seats are occupied by a more cerebral crowd. Half a block from the Larimer Lounge, Meadowlark serves as a staging area and post-gig terminus for some of the bands looking to escape the raucousness of a few doors down. Since many of the acts playing here are local singer/songwriter sorts, the crowd can often be comprised of close friends and other musically-minded people.

Bottom line: Meadowlark showcases some of Denver's best up and coming musicians and artists. Install some culture along with your hangover.