The signs of spring are all around, from budding gardens to brighter dishes on restaurant menus. Fresh herbs, citrus, and seasonal favorites like artichokes and asparagus are ready for harvest, as is nature’s sweetest treasure: honey.
However, at the recently opened Apiary Hotel in Belleview Station, honey is a year-round indulgence. Inspired by beehives, this Marriott property in the Denver Tech Center features two thematic dining concepts, including an upscale cocktail lounge and a locally-driven market.
Here’s why you should buzz by, or even plan a little getaway to this walkable neighborhood’s new extended-stay concept.
Keepers Cocktail Lounge
“The beekeeper concept shapes the entire Keepers experience, from design to menu,” said Elysse Altamirano, director of food and beverage at the Apiary Hotel. “The goal is to really create an environment that feels both elevated and connected to nature.”
Contrasting the bright, white marble finishes of the adjacent lobby, this moody cocktail lounge conveys an easygoing elegance. Settle into plush cushions or take a seat along the bar, where a smoked mirror backdrops the collection of spirits. Other subtle details, such as golden tones, lustrous materials, and geometric patterns, also give a nod to the beekeeper theme.
While the interior choices are subtle, the kitchen and bar double down on the concept. “Honey is obviously central on our menu. We approach it with the same level of care as wine,” said Altamirano. Though you could order a glass from its curated wine list, signature cocktails are what make Keepers stand out.
For example, the Brown Derby ($14) reimagines an Old Fashioned by blending Old Forester bourbon with grapefruit juice and Björn orange blossom honey. The Penicillin ($15) is another modern take on a classic cocktail, featuring local clover honey, lemon, ginger, and the earthy, peat-smoked flavors of quality Scotch.
Boulder-based Björn supplies the bar with other honey varieties, including a royal propolis honey and a beekeeper’s reserve. Sample three as a flight ($16) alongside wedges of creamy brie and artisan crisps. The Spicy Honey Flatbread ($15) topped with goat cheese, fennel pollen, arugula, and zesty pickled onions, also comes highly recommended.
Though each of these items balances sweet well, you may want to welcome a few savory items to your table. Altamirano called attention to the hummus ($12), noting its delicious bits of lemon and sumac spice. She also referred back to the drink menu, commenting that beyond honey the team also incorporates ingredients that support and complement pollinators and ecosystems.
Consider options like the Botanical Tasting ($18), a seasonal flight of three unique gins served with tonic water and garnishes. There’s also the whiskey-based Penumbra ($17), a zero-waste cocktail that uses spent espresso to craft a rich demerara syrup. Tobacco bitters add further depth, while a wisp of alderwood smoke finishes the drink tableside.
Keepers’ menu will rotate every six months, with spring and summer expressions transitioning to fall and winter flavors later in the year. The bar is open daily from 4 to 10 p.m.
“We are open to all. You don’t have to be staying in the hotel,” added Altamirano. “We definitely want to be that place in the neighborhood that folks come to.” The same invitation applies to its market concept.
June Gap Market and Café
Also adjacent to the hotel lobby, June Gap is the first market to open in Belleview Station. In addition to hotel guests, the sundry selection draws an on-the-go business crowd and many neighborhood locals.
Several metro area companies support the approachable menu. Order muffins and cookies made by Bird Bakery (located across the street in Belleview Promenade), along with hearty handhelds from Golden-based Bonfire Burritos.
Named after the brief summer stretch when bees rely on their reserves, June Gap also partners with Björn. Its local honey appears in a range of items, including the Granola Parfait ($10), Blueberry-Almond Steel Cut Oatmeal ($10), and the Roasted Vegetable Harvest Bowl drizzled with honey-dijon dressing ($12).
Several drinks have a touch of natural sweetness too. Sip on its Bee’s Knees latte ($7) featuring oat milk, cinnamon, and orange blossom honey; or the Green Detox smoothie ($10) made with coconut water, kale, peaches, hemp seeds, and hive-sourced goodness.
June Gap serves breakfast daily through 11 a.m., starting at 6 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends. The daytime menu is offered until 9 p.m. Packaged snacks, bottled beverages, and chilled wines are also available.
Staycation Perks
While you don’t have to stay overnight to experience Keepers and June Gap, this new Marriott property is a solid choice for a staycation. A light rail station is steps from the lobby doors, providing easy access to downtown attractions.
Meanwhile, the walkable Belleview Station neighborhood features retailers, workout studios, and a solid dining scene. Start your evening at Keepers, then continue to Saverina, one of the city’s best Italian restaurants; or reserve a table at Le French, a top choice for French cuisine.
DTC is most frequented for the sake of business, but nearby places like Comedy Works, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, and Cherry Creek State Park invite leisure as well.
Experience the area by booking a night or two at Apiary Hotel. This extended stay concept has a fitness center, laundry facilities, and 175 spacious suites with equipped kitchenettes. Complimentary breakfast further ensures you won’t go hungry at this sweet new getaway.
Visit Keepers Cocktail Lounge daily from 4 to 10 p.m. June Gap is open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, as well as 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 4855 S. Quebec St., Denver, apiaryhotel.com
