Behind the Books at Denver Worldwide Airport’s Speakeasy

Airports don’t have any scarcity of bookstores, so it’s not unusual to see folks lining up for the newest John Grisham at 7 a.m. However the folks standing within the early-morning queue in entrance of the bookshelves at Williams & Graham in Denver Worldwide Airport are looking for liquid reasonably than literary refreshment.

DIA — the IATA code’s DEN, however locals name it DIA — has lengthy had a sturdy meals and beverage scene, with outposts of hometown favorites that landed it on our 2025 International Tastemakers record of High 10 US Airports for Meals and Drink. The newest draw is that this W&G outpost, close to Terminal A’s gate 38. The unique bookstore speakeasy has been slinging traditional cocktails and Prohibition vibes in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood since 2011.

As on the authentic, company at W&G enter by means of a book-fronted pretend door in what seems to be a small bookstore to seek out themselves in a comfy house with a bar and views of each plane and fliers ready for his or her boarding teams to be known as. In the event you want some studying materials, the books lining the doorway cabinets are “take one, go away one,” so be at liberty to swap your just-read thriller for one thing new.

Proprietor Sean Kenyon is a third-generation bartender, so hospitality runs in his blood. The airport bar and restaurant is operated by Mission Yogurt, which has additionally launched fliers to DIA iterations of Denver favorites comparable to Root Down and ChoLon Trendy Asian, together with ideas at San Diego and Orange County airports.

“Repeating what we do at Williams & Graham was a problem for me philosophically, particularly opening below anyone else’s administration,” says Kenyon. However I used to be assured in two issues: that we might make an incredible airport expertise and that what we do hospitality-wise would translate very well to the airport, the place folks want consoling. They’ve had a tough day, they’ve had an incredible day, they’re on their method to trip, no matter it’s. I really feel like what we do within the airport has been wonderful, and Mission’s been a extremely good accomplice in that.”

The menu hews carefully to the Highlands authentic, providing deviled eggs, frog legs, bone marrow, and an acclaimed burger together with crispy fries complemented with aioli and a malt vinegar gastrique. Early morning eaters will get pleasure from a lovely choice together with Hawaiian bread French toast coated in coconut, pineapple, and sizzling honey and a spread of breakfast sandwiches from vegan to bodega-styled chopped cheese. This being Colorado, you’ll additionally discover a virtually obligatory inexperienced chili-smothered burrito and gooey cotija-topped chilaquiles.

Airports exist out of time, that means that it’s completely acceptable to bask in an grownup beverage at breakfast. At Williams & Graham, nervous (or not) fliers can go traditional with a Bloody Mary, get up with an eye-opening Espresso Martini, or simply order a facet of Irish cream to offset an early morning espresso.

It doesn’t matter what time of day, you’d be remiss to overlook a number of the award-winning specialty cocktails which have landed the unique institution on many “better of” lists, together with Westward’s Better of Denver and Thrillist’s High 23 Secret Bars within the World. Favorites embody the Blackberry Sage Smash crafted with Colorado-distilled Woody Creek Rye and the Nice White Buffalo, an anxiety-reducing mix of Zubrowska Bison Grass Vodka, Licor 43, grapefruit, lemon, and Chinese language 5 Spice.

Those that choose their pre- or post-flight drinks with out alcohol will recognize a incessantly rotating choice of riffs on Williams & Graham’s Prohibition-compliant “temperance drinks,” just like the My Bitter Clementine with Earl Gray tea, clementine shrub, Giffard Aperitif, and lemon.