
Champagne and caviar are about to collide with burgers and fries in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood. Come September, the iconic Tom’s Diner building on East Colfax will shed its chrome-plated past and emerge as Champagne Tiger – a French-American diner that promises to turn every meal into a celebration. Chris Donato, the mastermind behind this culinary chameleon, isn’t just opening a restaurant; he’s unleashing a glitter bomb of gastronomic proportions. Picture this: drag queens sashaying between tables laden with oysters and omelets, while a pianist tickles the ivories, serenading diners tucking into both foie gras and French fries. It’s high-low dining with a side of fabulous, and it’s about to revolutionize Denver’s LGBT+ performing landscape.
A Menu That Defies Gravity (and Expectations)
Champagne Tiger’s menu is a high-wire act of culinary contradictions. On one end, you’ve got your diner staples – eggs any style, including a French omelet that would make Julia Child swoon. On the other, there’s caviar, because why not? The signature roast chicken rubs elbows with an opulent grilled cheese that’s more gold than yellow. And let’s not forget the fries – they come in more varieties than you can shake a ketchup bottle at. But it’s not just about the food. The bar program is equally schizophrenic (in the best way possible). Thoughtful cocktails share menu space with tasty bubbles, while the wine list runs the gamut from “What’s your house red?” to “Is that bottle older than I am?”Wednesdays bring piano performances that’ll make you feel like you’re in a swanky Manhattan supper club. But come Sunday, all bets are off. The drag brunch isn’t just a meal, it’s a full-on spectacle. Expect sky-high wigs, sequins galore, and performances that’ll have you spitting out your champagne (in a good way).
Champagne Tiger: Where Retro Meets Risqué
Champagne Tiger isn’t just moving into Tom’s Diner; it’s giving it a fabulous makeover. The 3,684-square-foot space is getting dolled up, but don’t expect a complete facelift. Donato’s smart enough to know you don’t mess with perfection. The Googie-style architecture – all swooping lines and space-age optimism – is staying put but with a twist. Imagine walking in to find the classic diner counter now topped with champagne buckets and caviar tins. The vinyl booths? They are still there, but now they’re sharing floor space with a wonderfully gaudy tiger print carpet and a large gilded portrait of Siegfried and Roy. It’s like the Jetsons went on a bender with the cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race. But the real showstopper is out back. The patio isn’t just big; it’s gargantuan. We’re talking space for up to 240 people to sip, nosh, and be merry under the Colorado sky. It’s flexible too – perfect for everything from intimate gatherings of 20 to full-blown ragers for the whole damn neighborhood. And let’s not forget the private dining room. It’s intimate, it’s luxe, and it’s ready to host your next big celebration. Birthday? Anniversary? Tuesday? Any excuse will do.
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The Man Behind the Tiger: Chris Donato’s Culinary Coup
Chris Donato isn’t your average restaurateur, and Champagne tiger isn’t you average spot. This culinary provocateur cut his teeth with the Frasca Hospitality Group, where he served as Brand Director for Pizzeria Locale. But Champagne Tiger isn’t about playing it safe – it’s Donato’s gastronomic fever dream come to life.”We’re not just opening a restaurant,” Donato declares, eyes gleaming with mischief. “We’re unleashing joy, one champagne cork at a time.” His vision? A place where culinary excellence collides head-on with unbridled exuberance. It’s fine dining with a whoopee cushion on the seat. Donato’s not just aiming for your taste buds; he’s gunning for your soul. “We want to be the kick-off to your epic night out, the grand finale to your workweek, the place where Tuesday feels like Saturday,” he grins. And with a track record of sold-out pop-ups and a cult following that would make most influencers green with envy, who’s to say he can’t pull it off?But don’t mistake his playfulness for lack of substance. Donato’s dead serious about quality, sourcing locally, and creating a space that’s as welcoming to drag queens as it is to your grandma (who, let’s face it, probably has some fabulous stories of her own).
A Culinary Revolution on Colfax
The impact on Denver’s dining scene? Seismic. Champagne Tiger is poised to blur the lines between high-end dining and comfort food, between performance art and dinner service. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a statement. A declaration that says, “Yes, you can have your caviar and eat your burger too.
“or the LGBTQ+ community, it’s more than just another venue. It’s a celebration of queer joy, a space where drag isn’t just accepted – it’s expected. In a world that often pushes marginalized communities to the fringes, Champagne Tiger is putting them center stage, under the spotlight, with a microphone in one hand and a champagne flute in the other.
The Nitty-Gritty: What You Need to Know
Mark your calendars, Denver. Champagne Tiger is set to roar onto the scene in September 2024. They’ll be slinging plates and popping corks five nights a week for dinner, with weekend brunches that promise to cure even the most stubborn hangovers (or kickstart new ones). Want in on the action? Indoor dining is reservation-only, so don’t sleep on securing your spot. But if you’re feeling spontaneous, the sprawling patio operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Just remember: when drag brunch hits on Sundays, all bets are off. Those seats fill faster than you can say “Death drop.”Parking, that eternal urban nemesis, won’t be a total nightmare. There’s limited on-site parking, but let’s be real – rideshare is your friend here. After all, nothing kills a champagne buzz faster than circling the block for the tenth time. For the social media mavens, follow @Champagne.Tiger on Instagram for a steady stream of mouth-watering teasers and behind-the-scenes shenanigans. And if you’re dreaming of hosting your bash in this glittery wonderland, slide into their DMs at Party@champagnetiger.com. Just be prepared for a response that’s equal parts professional and sassy.

Author: Jeff Wilson
Jeff is one of the owners of GayDenver and one of its writers. He is a Denver transplant who loves the city and the proximity of the mountains. He is happily married to his husband and loves hiking with his furbaby Thayella.