District E11even - Speakeasy review

Tucked away behind T-Byrds Tacos & Tequila on Tejon Street lies District E11even. With the bumping latin music combined with the vibrant art and colorful decorations it's a great front for what you're about to experience. 

Once you enter it's a sharp contrast to the outside. Beyond the doors is a dark and low key vibe of a speakeasy styled whiskey bar named District E11even. 

Accessing this hidden gem is part of the experience itself, however finding the entrance was a breeze. Located at the back of the restaurant near the restrooms is a massive vault door labeled District E11even. Sort of a nod to the speakeasy tradition. The door is simple, marked subtly and doesn’t draw much attention to itself. Give the door one or two hard pulls and you’ll step right on. The door acts as sound proofing once it closes behind you, silencing the bumping Latin dance music from T-Bryd’s Taco & Tequila. In case you're wondering, there's an alternate entrance too and those in the know can slip in through the back alley entrance. It's located across from the rear of the Cascade Parking Garage. Just look for the sign glowing under a large flood lamp and you'll know you're there. 

Once inside, the easy listening, traditional pop, jazz music starts to come into range as you make your way down the hall. There is a near pitch black ambience of the speakeasy, and it took a while for our eyes to adjust from the outside. The bar had dark walls and was lit by antique lamps, string lights, and a 12 foot street light that looks like it's straight from the 1920’s. It definitely played to the speakeasy theme, but we were surprised at how dark it was. 

I ordered an old fashioned and an espresso martini at the recommendation of the bartender. They have over 200 whiskey selections and it’s a haven for connoisseurs. I ordered my old fashioned with Eagle Rare Whiskey. The bartender was able to help me make my decision by asking about whiskeys I liked. I always appreciate when the service provider is informed on the products they're serving. I usually like my old fashions to accentuate the flavor of the whiskey and isn't too sweet. It was great. It was fragrant with a perfect touch of sweetness. It was all I could ask for in an old fashion, perhaps even a tad on the strong side, which is a bonus in my book. I had no complaints and would give it a 7.5 out of 10. 

My girlfriend had the espresso martini and she loved it. It was a cute little drink that just bursted with flavor. We’ve been on an espresso martini kick as of recently, and it was one of the better ones we’ve had. I like espresso martinis that are smooth with great foam and a delicious espresso flavor. This one had that and was really on the money. No more and no less than what I think an ideal espresso martini would taste like. I said it was a real “no BS” kind of drink and the bartender did a great job making it because it definitely delivered. We'd give this drink an 8.5 out of 10.

Overall, we thought both drinks were great and everything was priced fairly. We didn’t eat, but they had food available. They offer tapas from the connected Mood Tapas Bar. 

We sat at the bar and it felt safe and seemed highly reputable. District E11even has a self-proclaimed title as “the sexiest speakeasy in Colorado.” We noticed how the employees made genuine attempts to uphold the standard of the establishment through their services. As someone who comes from the service industry, I appreciate this and it’s obvious this place prides themselves on creating a special experience for their customers. I probably would too if I had a place like that to show off to people. Huge props for the customer experience. Not to be too cliché, but the combination of the art, the music, the decor, the ambience, the attire, and the drinks come together like a scene from your favorite bootlegger flick. My speakeasy review is summed up like this... it's intimate and immersive and we recommend it.

REVIEW BY: Taz Williams - Mar 29, 2025