La Vie En Rose Opens in RiNo With Paris-Inspired Bar and Private Event Space
DENVER, CO — A new Paris-inspired cocktail and Champagne bar has opened in Denver’s RiNo Art District, transforming the 1,300-square-foot space at 1336 27th Street into an intimate bar, lounge and private event venue.
Exterior Photo of Rōmyō | Courtesy of Joey Pusateri
La Vie En Rose officially opened Friday, September 11, from Nicole and Scott Mattson, the team behind Denver jazz and supper club Nocturne. While the concept centers around Champagne, cocktails and French-inspired food, the new space is also heavily driven by its architecture and interior design, drawing inspiration from Parisian hotels, couture houses, the Art Nouveau movement and the La Belle Époque era.
The Mattsons partnered with Kevin Nguyen of Regular Architecture on the design of the space, which uses deep red tones, velvet curtains, exposed brick, plush seating, decorative lighting and a collection of framed artwork to create a series of distinct areas within the relatively compact footprint.
At the center of the project is a gently curved stone-topped bar featuring a built-in Champagne bowl. Behind and above the bar, illuminated bottle displays are integrated into the millwork, while a climate-controlled wine storage area known as the “Cave du Vin” occupies the mezzanine level and serves as a backdrop to the main bar.
Photo of Kitchen Staff on the Line | Courtesy of Joey Pusateri
Large suspended fabric elements and curtains are used throughout the space to divide seating areas and lower the visual scale of the room. Lounge seating and small tables extend around the perimeter, while decorative pendant fixtures, warm accent lighting and retained exposed-brick elements help distinguish the different sections of the bar. The project also extends outside, where a lounge-style patio opens onto a RiNo alley with additional seating, flowers and greenery.
Adjacent to the main bar is The Gallery, a separate art-filled private dining and event space designed to accommodate up to 30 people. The room can also be combined with the main bar for private events of up to 60 guests. When it is not being used for private events, the team plans to use The Gallery for multi-course wine dinners curated by Nocturne’s culinary and wine team.
Photo of Interior Dining Room | Courtesy of Joey Pusateri
The beverage program launches with more than 120 Champagne selections, making it one of the broader Champagne bottle lists in Denver, according to the ownership team. Several Champagnes and French wines are also available by the glass alongside a cocktail program focused on French spirits. Opening cocktails include The Vieux Marais, Le Petit Chapeau and Place des Vosges.
The food program is structured around à la carte hors d’oeuvres served on tiered platters and a collection of shareable plates designed to accompany Champagne. Initial dishes include steak tartare, gluten-free popcorn fried chicken and a grand gougère served with warm ham mornay sauce. The bar will also hold a nightly aperitif hour from 5 to 6 p.m.
La Vie En Rose is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Development Team
Ownership / Operator: Nicole and Scott Mattson, Nocturne
Architecture / Design: Regular Architecture, Kevin Nguyen
Interior Photography: Armando Martinez
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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
5 minute read • La Vie En Rose has opened in Denver’s RiNo Art District, bringing a new 1,300-square-foot Paris-inspired Champagne bar, cocktail lounge and private event space to 1336 27th Street.