Semple Brown’s design of Citizen Rail, located at 1899 16th Street within the acclaimed new Hotel Born (adjacent to downtown Denver’s historic Union Station), represents a contemporary spin on the classic American café concept. True to the menu served there, the restaurant’s cuisine and inviting design details are elegant yet restrained.

Inspired by the proximity of the train station, design features like a long blue leather banquette and painted wainscoting elicit the memory and allure of crossing the country by rail. Seating for 74 is provided at banquettes, tables and a long counter bar facing an open kitchen with a wood fired grill, which serves as a focal point for the dining area. As well, a floating bar is separated from the rest of the restaurant by the main entrance and was designed to highlight both the liquor on display and the person seated under the floating metal and glass shelf overhead. Boasting its own setting amongst the large curtain wall glass, the bar anchors Citizen Rail’s corner view at Sixteenth and Wewatta.