After five long years, Joe Phillips’s vision of the perfect bar has finally materialized in Englewood with the grand opening of Fellow Traveler. For Phillips, this venture marks a significant career shift from years of bartending, including a decade-long stint at Sputnik. “I was tired; it’s hard work,” Phillips admits, reflecting on his decision in 2017 to create “the bar that I would like to go to.” This dream, however, was far from a straightforward path.
The journey to opening Fellow Traveler Denver was fraught with obstacles. Initial locations fell through, and securing a liquor license in West Wash Park proved challenging. Undeterred, Phillips, along with co-owners Singkorn Dhawornvej and Kimberly Kutt, discovered a promising building at 3487 South Broadway in Englewood. They purchased the property, setting their sights on a June 2020 launch.
Just as the team approached their intended opening date, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, plunging the bar and restaurant industry into uncertainty. Adding to the turmoil, the bank withdrew its loan commitment a mere three days before closing. “We had to scramble,” Phillips recalls. Demonstrating their unwavering commitment, the owners turned to family loans and personal mortgages to self-finance their project.
Against all odds, Fellow Traveler Denver is now a reality, celebrating its grand opening on Friday, January 21, at 5 p.m. “It’s hard to wrap my brain around,” Phillips confesses, acknowledging the years of uncertainty. “Over the course of years, you start wondering, ‘Is this even going to happen?'”
Fellow Traveler Denver bar exterior in Englewood, Colorado, showcasing its welcoming facade after a long-awaited opening.The name “Fellow Traveler” itself carries multiple layers of meaning. It’s a direct nod to Sputnik, the bar where Phillips spent many years, as Sputnik translates to “fellow traveler” in Russian. Furthermore, the term has historically been embraced by communities like the LGBTQ community to signify allies, resonating with Phillips’s progressive political views. Finally, “Fellow Traveler” reflects the travel inspirations Phillips and his wife have gathered, particularly from their experiences in Spain and France.
Fellow Traveler Denver aims to be an inclusive space, “a place that would fit everyone,” according to Phillips. The bar will cater to diverse tastes, offering everything from affordable domestic beers to premium bourbons. However, one notable aspect sets Fellow Traveler apart: its entirely vegetarian menu. Phillips, a long-time vegetarian, wanted to create a bar that serves the kind of food he personally enjoys. To bring this vision to life, he enlisted Chef Ross Pullen, formerly of the vegan barbecue concept JackBeQue, to lead the kitchen.
The culinary direction at Fellow Traveler Denver focuses on “food that your great-grandmother would have made” – wholesome, vegetable-centric dishes, moving away from meat substitutes. This approach emphasizes fresh, flavorful ingredients and traditional cooking styles. The kitchen will operate until midnight, providing a much-needed late-night dining option in the Englewood neighborhood. In addition to lunch and dinner, Fellow Traveler will also offer weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Phillips expresses a desire to inspire more people to explore a meat-free lifestyle, drawing inspiration from restaurants like Somebody People, known for its delicious vegan Mediterranean cuisine. While the opening is a major milestone, Phillips views it as just the beginning. “Kindness and curiosity” are the guiding principles for his team as they move forward, emphasizing continuous learning and growth.
Fellow Traveler Denver is located at 3487 South Broadway and will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to close. For additional details, please visit fellowtravelerenglewood.com.
