With a beautiful location and a great view of the Denver skyline, Central Bistro is known for serving some of the Highlands’ best fresh American grub. The Bistro’s next goal is to showcase Denver’s love of fine whiskey.

The extensive whiskey selection makes a great backdrop to the bar, but is easier to explore via a large menu that not only includes a list of the bar’s whiskey, but explains how the spirit is made and provides definitions of terms used by distillers. The big book can be a little intimidating at first — it’s quite thick — but general manager William “BJ” Secord points out it's relatively easy to use: whiskeys are organized by origin, down to the U.S. state they come from.

If you love or are looking to get into brown spirits, Central Bistro Whiskey Wednesdays are for you. The events, held weekly through the end of August, begin at 6:30 PM, and cost anywhere from $5–$20 (depending on the distllery and amount of booze involved). Participants will get to try new and unique whiskeys from all over the country and even the world, and also learn the subtleties of a whiskey directly from those who make it. (A recent Whiskey Wednesday featured a meeting with The Whiskey Professor, Bernie Lubbers.) Plus, if you stay for dinner, you'll get 10% off the bill.

Even if you don't make it out on a Wednesday, the bar offers a variety whiskey flights. Flights can be arranged by region or state, type of grain used (rye or corn) or from common types to more expensive ones. We tried a flight featuring Balcones single malt from Texas, Bernheim from Kentucky and Templeton rye whiskey from Iowa. With a little coaching, one can definitely taste the subtleties of each brand. The Balcones was creamier with a strong scent, while the Bernheim was more buttery in texture with a less powerful nose and a butterscotch taste. The Templeton was somewhere in the middle, with a bit more smoke, but also some sweetness from the rye. Newbies should try the smell test, says Secord: pour a tiny bit of whiskey into your palm and rub your hands together, then smell. That should give you the essence of what you’ll taste.

For serious whiskey lovers, Central offers a bottle club. Purchase a bottle of your favorite whiskey and the bar will put your name on it and make it available anytime you stop by. You can also let friends, family or business associates drink from your personal bottle. As long as you have an open bottle under your name, you'll receive 10% off your meal, every time you visit. Turns out that purchasing a bottle is actually less expensive than buying by the glass, over the long run.

Secord and the bar staff are also experimenting by making their own whiskey for Central. Right now, next to the bar are three oak casks aging three different kinds of the amber spirit. While they're not ready to sample yet, expect house whiskey to be pouring soon.

Happy hour at Central runs 4:30–6 PM, Wednesday–Friday, and features 40% off all bottles of wine, $5 wines by the glass, $5 specialty cocktails and $3 draft beers. In August, Central is offering live music on the patio every Sunday evening from 5–8 PM, with drink and food specials.

1691 Central St.; 303-477-4582

Photos by Carrie Dow