Imbibers may know Uncle Tim’s Cocktails from the line up of bottled craft drinks, but now owner Tim Felkner has Broderick, a cozy lounge to serve them in. But it goes beyond the bottle. Expect cocktail flights, unique combinations, mocktails, and easy snacks such as charcuterie, panini, and tinned fish.
“My goal is to create a vibe that you are in your stylish uncle’s living room,” said Felkner over the phone. The layout, he continued, features soft couch chairs, spots to fit larger parties, picnic tables out front, and the overall feeling of comfort. “We will also be hosting some comedy shows, and we even had some neighborhood musicians stop in and we are chatting with them about getting them on the books. It won’t necessarily be a six-piece rock band, that’s a little too loud, we want to keep it pretty chill.”
Felkner officially started bottling Uncle Tim’s Cocktails in 2022, along with his business partner Patrick Stern. Now the company bottles 11 cocktails, including three types in the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Negroni categories. There’s also an Espresso Martini in a bottle, and, for the opening of Broderick, a limited edition barrel-aged Mezcal Negroni, only available at the bar.
The Beginning
Before Felkner ended up in Denver and with Uncle Tim’s Cocktails, he worked in the hospitality industry in San Francisco. For 12 years he bopped around, working long hours, weekends, and nights. Soon he was burnt out, and when it came time for him and his wife to start a family, they decided it would be easier to buy a house if they left the Bay Area. Originally Felkner is from Minnesota, where he grew up. For him, Colorado, and especially Denver, is a good mix of the Midwest and big city vibes.
Even though he’s been in Denver for years, when launching Broderick, Felkner wanted to give a shout out to San Francisco. He did this through a specialty cocktail list and the actual name of the bar, which comes from the street he lived on there.
“There aren’t enough bar menus that call out to where the cocktails are from,” he said. “I went through our favorite spots in San Fran and picked the best that fit the season.”
The Drink Menu at Broderick
The San Francisco cocktail menu will change about ever quarter. Currently the menu includes the Single Village Fix, with mezcal, pineapple, and lime, made by Thad Volgler of Bar Agricole. Or, try the Kentucky Buck with bourbon, strawberry, lemon, and ginger beer, created by Eric Castro of Polite Provisions.
For those not familiar with Uncle Tim’s Cocktails, opt for a $15 flight. Try three iterations of each classic, just the classics, or pick your own trio. The bottled cocktails are available by the glass too, as well as a couple Felkner is thinking of bottling, like the Martinez and Sazarac. Visitors will notices a list of hand-crafted seasonal tipples, and a version of the Aperol Spritz that only costs $10 all day long.
Mocktails also make a splash, using plants as the base rather than fake liquor. The Bright Eyed features hibiscus, rose, pink pepper corn, and lime. Another favorite, the Park Hang, a spicy affair with cilantro, ginger, serrano pepper, lime, and soda. Only caveat, because Broderick is the official tasting room of Uncle Tim’s Cocktails, no wine or beer are permitted.
Eat at Broderick Too
There’s no kitchen at Broderick, so the foods have to be shelf stable, easy to prepare, and simple. That’s why a charcuterie or cheese board are a highlight, as well as a tinned fish platter.
Panini’s from Gio Panino are pressed fresh, and come in three flavors including turkey with brie, apple, and sweet and spicy chili fig jam; salami with honey pistachio mascarpone; and mortadella with mozzarella and sundried tomato pesto.
If you’re having a drink before dinner in the surrounding Washington Park neighborhood, opt for a small snack. Choices include olives, roasted nuts, truffle potato chips, and a rotating selection of pickles. Want it all? There’s a $15 option to get a sampling of each. And if you’re having a drink after dinner, enjoy chocolate truffles, macarons, and dark chocolate pistachio cups, each made by local vendors.
Visit Broderick Sunday, and Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 4 to 11 p.m.; and the bar is closed Mondays. 1080 S. Gaylord St., Denver, broderickand.co
