This place is always a good time. High energy atmosphere, maybe the best patio on the mall, and great drinks.
VERY solid bar fare food. Not an exotic menu, just very well executed go to pub fare. It is a nod to "let's not try to be something pretentious and snooty that we aren't, and just make food people want that is tasty."
Though I have been here numerous times late, my new favorite is a good day drink on the patio as Denver strolls by. Try the "Bon Voyage" if they are serving it. Just one though. Two would be a time warp!
Just a short walk from the Hyatt Regency, this is a solid place for a quick lunch or dinner. Nothing fancy, offering standard American bar fare. After the waitress declaring their burgers as the best items on the menu, I decided on the Falafel burger with a side salad. It hit the spot after a long flight to Denver.
Service was good, food was tasty enough. The mood in here was a bit dreary during the day, it being very dark inside the restaurant. But it is a bar, after all. I did not come at night, so it could be much better after dark.
Good choice of beer. Great food. Service was terrible. After the server brought me (and charged me) for the wrong beer. I waited a bit hoping she would come over and check on the table. Nope after she cashed us out never saw her again. The upside to this is, a very friendly busser came over and got me the beer I had ordered. If it wasn't for this guy redeeming my server I probably wouldn't give this another shot.
Review Source:Came in for dinner and was happy I did. The place was pretty busy and the selections on the menu made it difficult to choose. Everything looked and sounded delicious. There are bison, lamb, and elk burgers. Multiple salad and sandwich options and other dining gems to choose from. When in doubt, order a beer and think it over. Â Lots of local options to include hand crafted selections. Â The place is loud and abuzz so don't plan of having a quiet dinner conversation. Something else I wasn't expecting is that they put sugar on sweet potato fries. Â Until that very moment, I had been eating sweet potato fries incorrectly. Thank you Paramount.
This is a cool place with good food. Come with a friend or multiple friends, it will be worth a stop.
I used to visit the Paramount Cafe frequently in the mid 90"s when I worked downtown. They were known for the happy hour and probably still are. I brought a friend from Brazil here after the Stock Show parade. It hasn't changed much since the 90's. One thing I have to say is, " Yum, Yum, Yum." The green chili is so good. My friend had the clam chowder and she said, " Yum, it's really good," Great start to lunch and the service was so attentive. She ordered the Shrimp poor boy- it's pretty big to eat with your hands with lots of bread. I would not order it because there are so many other options on the menu that are better and I ordered the gyro. It's so yummy and delicious. I was shopping in Victoria Secret and the shop girl asked where we went to lunch. When we told her Paramount Cafe, she said, " Oh, I always order the gyro - it's so good." So there you have it- go there for lunch and order soup and a gyro- I am convinced it's the way to go. However I have heard that the burgers are delicious.
I like the Paramount Cafe because it's unique sitting near all the chain restaurants. It's close to the Paramount theater and many famous performers have been there. You can check out all the pics on the walls. It's an icon on the 16th Street mall.
I like this place quite a bit. Â Good food, good drinks, good drink specials, and they have a daily specials list, which is a key to my heart. Â Something new(ish) each day is always cool. Â Location is good, staff is professional, attentive, nice, and on-the-spot with whatever you need. Â I usually make it a point to stop in whenever I'm out on the mall. Â FYI: I love hitting this place up for pre-gaming before hitting the stadiums. Â It is close to everything, and the food is filling and perfect for putting in the ol' belly before adding alcohol to the mix.
Review Source:Some of their food is pretty decent. Â I usually order the lamb burger--nicely spiced and usually prepared well. Â I have had less success with their salads--they're usually pretty boring.
Service here is generally pretty OK. Â I have never been wowed, but once in a while service is bad/non-existent.
The one thing that puzzles me is that they seem to change the look of their menus fairly frequently without changing their food offerings very significantly.
I'll have to try their happy hour drinks as there are good recommendations from other yelpers.
5star service from Megan. I like the atmosphere and the gold leaf trim and frescoes around the bar left over from the old theater days.
I had their hot Asian chicken wings. Too sweet, and not hot enough foe me, but okay. for dinner I had a Cobb salad, which to me is a very specific salad made with blue cheese. This was drowning in a honey lime dressing that was tasty, but not really a Cobb I appreciate their effort to make a twist on this, but to me its too radical a departure.
Overall an excellent experience. I'll be back.
For  whatever reason, the Paramount is one of those places I never think about going unless I want to drink.  They have a daily happy hour (4p-7p + late one too after 10) and their drinks are generally strong and cheap.  I always remember the food as uninspired.  Not bad, but basic.
I have decided the key with a good food experience at Paramount is to go when it is busy - more cooks, more action - I don't know, but it ends up being better. Â A Saturday night before a show we plopped down to kill time and had great service, cheap drinks and good bar food. Â They didn't bug us when we lingered. Â They smiled and were helpful. Â It is perfect if you are hitting a show at the Paramount Theater around the corner. Â It is great to people watch.
I recommend the fried cheese and the Cubano (although it isn't pressed it is not bad).
Excellent service and a great happy hour even on a Saturday night. I had the elk burger and the fries and really no complaints.
This is a great place to come and people watch ,especially on a Saturday night. We killed a couple hours before the show and I think next time I might have to try the big fishbowl of booze!
The Paramount is one of my favorite places to go sit on the patio, enjoy some drinks and people watch. Last week I went with a couple of girlfriends and Everything was great except I felt like the waitress was more concerned about selling us tickets to some block party than getting our order right. The turkey burger was fantastic, but my friend and I wanted to split it, we didn't each want our own. (Yes, we asked to split it)
When the food came out, I mentioned to the waitress that we really just wanted to split it, we didn't want our own. Needless to say, we each only ate half our burgers and still had to pay for both, eventhough that's not what we wanted. This will not stop me from going there again, just hopefully next time I get a waiter(tress) that pays attention to their customers.
I used to come to the Paramount alot, and I used to really enjoy it. Â It was always a fun place with good food and great beer. Â I have always been a fan of the Big Nose Red and Brown ales. Â Alas, methinks it's day has passed.
The last few times I've come here the food has been unimpressive. Â However, the last excursion was pretty bad. Â Three of us met here on the day of the Arts Festival and the Denver Day of Rock. Â They were packed, but we were sat quickly. Â That's about where to positive side ended. Â
We were very cramped, which has always been an issue here. Â Tables are very close together and it's hard to move or get in or out of your chair without bumping into someone. Â The service was pretty slow to start, which I was willing to forgive considering the sheer number of people here for the 2 festivals running concurrently right in front of the place. Â We ordered chips and salsa and wings to begin with. Â The chips tasted stale, and the salsa wasn't particularly special. Â The wings were disappointing as well, as we were told they were hot, but we found them to be pretty mild. Â Each of us ordered a different burger, and these were truly a letdown, there was absolutely no seasoning in the meat at all, we each got a hunk of plain ground beef on buns that were too big. Â It was one of the most bland things I recall tasting in a long time. Â
Big Nose is their signature beer, and like I said, I like it quite a bit. Â But that's really the only draw for me now. Â If I were on the Mall and in need of a cold one, that might lure me in, but frankly there are other places along the street with better beer and good food.
I love, love, love the Paramount. Â Considering I work on the mall, it's a convenient place to go for Happy Hour after a closing shift. Â The food is always delicious (and abundant) and the drinks are good. Â Of course the Long Islands aren't very strong when you're buying them 2 for 1, but that's to be expected.
Even when I've gone in alone and sat at the bar, I'm still treated just as respectfully as when I've been with a party of ten getting smashed. Â My only complaint? Â Having to go upstairs to pee usually leads to someone hurting themselves. Â And by someone, I mean me.
I'm from out of town, so this may not be a reliable review. And it was the only "local" restaurant I ate at.
I randomly chose this place when I saw it on a website. I had no idea it was a diner like place. I don't usually like diner looking places too much. It is a bit tacky. The inside did not match what the name alluded to. I thought that the menu offered some fresh spins on some things (maybe cause I'm out of town). Their menu is small, I wanted to try a few different things, but was adventurous and tried the elk burger (they don't have these in California). The burger was really good and my mom enjoyed her shredded pork burrito.
It was somewhat busy when I went, and the service wasn't the quickest. At one point the waitress stood there conversing with the seater and we were obviously done. So... I thought it was nice how they had the door open so you can view outside better.
great price for entertainment coupon!! Lots of fun 80's  memories here, and it hasnt changed much. Still good food, great service and a decent atmosphere.  Pretty typical cafe food, but a little yummier.  Had the Gyro, and its a decent gyro.  My friend got the onion rings, and they were pretty good.
The thing that is fab here is the patio.
I have gone off and on to the Paramount for the past couple of years, more so when I was right downtown and lived there.
What got me started to coming in was the Famous "Fish Bowls" if your a drinker and like to try something be and want to drink something and save some money, getting a fish bowl is a great way to save some money and get a little buzz along the way.
I don't normally order food at Paramount as there prices are a bit high for what you actually get but I like there appetizers the best if I do order anything on there menu.
Some of the downfalls, this place is loud 24/7 no matter the time of day for the long time they would tell me the only bathroom they had was the one upstairs which wasn't really fair as well I didn't fit into any of there stall which kept me away and it wasn't fair to my friends who were in wheelchairs as they would have to go somewhere to use the bathroom.
They finally started allowing myself and my handicap friends use the bathroom that has been in existent since the opening of there doors?!?!?!
Why didn't they tell us that in the first place?
Visited Paramount Cafe for a quick beverage. Â The building itself is beautiful (take a look at the walls inside!). Â I also enjoyed the pictures from when the theater was in it's prime. Â
There is a pretty good beer list according to the menu, and some other nice options. Â Amusingly, the "warning" sign states that minors can't purchase vodka, gin or beer...not sure about other options. Â Perhaps the sign needs some updating.
I didn't have any food, but it didn't look very appetizing - though it was being demolished by the patrons around us, so it must have been much better than appearances would suggest. Â
Generally, the spot is ok, a good bar if you want to grab a drink, and in the summer, I'm sure the patio outside is great. Â However, this seems like a spot more geared toward dropping in for a drink versus a full evening out. Â It also seemed touristy (and why were all of the teens with volleyball uniforms in here? Perhaps that is why there is a non-alcoholic volleyball drink menu??).
We came here after seeing a movie down the street. A bunch of us got the fishbowls. I was like WOW that is actually a fish bowl. I was going to take a photo but by the time I got done drinking the fishbowl I had forgotten.
Our waitress was very nice. A little bit too nice to some of the guys. But nice.
They have a really good happy hour. 2-1. We also got some late night food including sweet potatoes fries. They were covered in cheese which I think actually kinda wished there was more of them without the cheese though. My friend who got a burger I guess it was a bison burger stated it was pretty good.
It was weird finding a place like this on the mall. Their decor is kinda cool also like 1950's metal tables. There is a pool table but just the one. So I think I will go for the happy hour drinks if I am in the area again during that time.
Ok I have to start off my review with this: I was hungover so please take my review with a grain of salt.
I ended up here after a great night out in Denver but it was time to get some food in me. So we wandered in here. We decided to sit out on the patio because it was a nice summer morning. We ordered a round of a bit of hair of the dog as well as some ice tea for after. Then it came for the food. I got one of their breakfast burritos that they were offering. It was so freaking big but I ate all of it because I was starving. It helped that it was also pretty tasty. Overall I was very pleased and it was pretty good. I will definitely need to come back here when I'm in a better state of mind so I can see if my memory lives up to what I'm thinking it does...
Terrible service? check. Weird and corny ambience? check. Terrible bland 'food'? check. Â
Even the patio that offers some fabulous people watching views on the 16th street mall isn't enough to pull the suck out of this place. Â Just thinking about the reheated frozen corn based garb they call food makes me weep for Denver's 'culinary' scene. Just look at the photos associated with this place.... yuck.
This place has all the makings of what could be an excellent place, but somehow it falls short. Â Some of why it falls short are things that I can't quite put my finger on, but one that does stand out is how puny the menu is. Â For such a big place, it's downtown location, and trendy theme-y feel...I was expecting at least another page or two of options. Â But it's really a bare minimum appetizers, salads, and burgers kind of array. Â This disappointed me because I wasn't sure what I really wanted going into the Paramount, and felt like my chances of figuring out what exactly would hit the spot was cut off!
Other than that, service and ambiance was pretty good AND the food (despite being limited) wasn't anything to complain about, so it's really not a bad place...just not my new favorite.
While I love the location there is much to be desired when it comes to service. More than likely the hostesses are nice but a bit vacant, the bartenders take their sweet time noticing customers, wait staff is attentive but not so much that I want to over tip.
High marks for the patio, especially during the Zombie Crawl...totally aces! I also enjoy the jumbo sized David Bowie, Kurt Cobain and Madonna posters hanging in the main hall.
The food is decent bar food - fairly priced and good for soaking up booze. I say keep it simple with the sliders and fries. While there is a happy hour I'm usually not very happy when I get my bill after all is said and done and drank. Mid-ground...somewhat forgettable. Fish bowls add 1 star...
Three stars = location, fish bowl, patio. If you are lucky enough to get a good server be thankful. I would classify this place as an easy middle ground when you're hanging on the mall...
Throughout my college education at CU Denver, working downtown and meeting up for drinks at anytime of the day, i always turn to Paramount Cafe for a yummy bite and brew. Here are a few reasons i dig this place:
-The patio is cute and is perfect to people watch on 16th street mall.
-The prices are decent for what you get :)
-The burgers are delicious! pair that with a beer, and you're golden.
-Waitstaff is usually pretty darn awesome.
next time, choose Paramount!
Stopped in here for a quick drink the other day. I love the porch out on the 16th street mall, it's awesome for people watching. Beer was good and the atmosphere is great. I particularly love all of the pictures that they've got up in the main room, and the old ones up by the restrooms as well.
I haven't tried the food there, but the servers were all very nice and I like the location so much that I'm sure I'll be back to try soon.
I've been a number of times and pretty much had a good time...in fact, I would normally give Paramount a three or four star. Â Unfortunately, our waiter last night decided to double charge us for drinks, and by no means accidentally.
We had stopped in to celebrate a friend's birthday and were generally having a great time. I had to slip out early and being his birthday, I pulled our waiter aside and asked that he put my friend's drinks on my tab. Â He willing obliged and I left.
I found out later that the waiter had also charged the birthday boy for the drinks I had already covered. Bad, bad form and I'll be sure to make sure to bring it up anytime the idea of going to Paramount is ever bandied about.
GREAT PATIO!
They had a decent beer list. Â I enjoyed just hanging out and having a couple drinks watching the tourist and bums stroll by. Â Service was so so when they got swamped. Â I ordered back up drinks because the next round might take 2 mins to arrive or 25 mins. Â
Food?  I had a bison burger and a salad.  ehhhhhh  Nothing to get excited about.  Bison normally has a nice flavor to the meat that defines itself apart from a cow.  I didn't get that taste here but what do I know.  Nice spot to come on a cool evening and get drinks.  I would move off the mall and eat else where!
Came here last night for a friend's birthday. We sat inside, and it was HOT.
It was 10PM Wednesday (happy hour) so my friend and I got a long island (which was 3.50 plus a buy one get one free!). They were really good (if you don't like the taste of alcohol and prefer the fizz). We shared an appetizer- some large potato wedges that were more like baked potatoes because they were huge (which is a plus). Good amount to share with two hungry people. Oddly, I was satisfied after that.
Other friends who got their sampler appetizer plate (less than $20) said it wasn't too good. I tried some and everything seemed a bit too salty for me. Honestly, their food seems overpriced for what it is.
However, I'm giving it three stars rather than two because our waitress (I think her name was Verity), was super cool and understanding and patient, considering that our huge group of Asians were slow, loud, and annoying. She even remembered who ordered what with who so that checks would be split with ease.
Saved the day.
I have been here many times to have a beer and watch some live music. Never have I eaten here.
Yesterday I had an outstanding salad with falafel (super moist falafel) and a cold one.
There are not many restaurants I recommend on the 16th St. Mall, because I can't stand tourists, but I like this place a lot, and can totally see spending many summer afternoons here.
Staff was cool and very kind. It was a real low key alternative to some of the pretentious mall spots.
The bar seating is ample and honestly it's got tons of potential for a late night hot spot, with the right music and some quality friends.
The Paramount is one of the better choices for a late night meal along the 16th street mall. The inside is reasonably spacious with a separate bar with tables in front and a few along the side of the bar. There's also a small patio out on the front which would be good for people watching (just not when it's 25 degrees). The inside is well-lit with a number of TVs strategically placed for sporting event viewing. The walls are lined with photos of a number of celebrities and pseudo-celebrities who have apparently visited before you.
Service was quick and friendly with a fairly generic menu: the quesadilla was tasty and the brownie desert was also worthwhile. For the life of me, I can't remember what my friend had here, but I don't remember any bad comments (is that a bad sign that it wasn't memorable?).
Overall this seems like a reasonable place and the location part-way along the mall is hard to beat. There's also a few pool tables in a side room for when you get tired of people watching.
I feel sorry for fat people. That's because they won't fit through the tiny entrance here, which also serves as the exit. I'm still debating whether that is a fire hazard or not.
God forbid we have the worst case scenario where a fat person gets stuck during an emergency and everyone dies burning alive in the cafe.
The drinks are okay. Happy hour is not bad. The food is not recommended, however. And everytime I go there, whatever I choose off the menu is not available. Even their fudge or strawberry sundaes.
I think the most amusing part is the cigarette vending machine sitting at the top of the stairs. I keep wondering how it checks IDs.
I imagine the brainstorming session for the opening of the paramount cafe went something like this:
How many tables can we fit into a bar?
How much can we get away with charging for a mediocre sandwich whose bread will rip the roof of their mouth raw?
How can we hire the most average waitstaff?
What awful bands can we book to play here, loudly, and jar the passerby's into gasps of disgust?