Look for the big, red-brick, five-story corner building with arched windows and green awnings at street level, right where 17th meets the cross street.
Alright, you’ve made it to the Oxford Hotel... one of Denver’s old-timers that still carries itself like it remembers everybody’s business. This place went up in 1891, designed by early Denver architect Frank Edbrooke, back when downtown was a rougher mix of railroads, money, and schemes in decent hats. From the outside, it’s got that sturdy “I’ve seen some things” brick-and-arches look-built to outlast trends, panics, and a whole lot of questionable mustaches.
In 1979, the Oxford landed on the National Register of Historic Places, which is basically the official way of saying: “Yes, this building matters, and no, you may not casually ruin it.” But long before the honors, the Oxford had its share of real drama.
In February 1908, labor leader Bill Haywood and two other officers from the Western Federation of Miners were quietly kept overnight in adjacent rooms here by Denver police. Not for a cozy vacation... for control. The whole point was secrecy-if their supporters found out, they might’ve tried to block what came next: an early-morning extradition, whisking them by special train to Idaho to face conspiracy charges tied to the assassination of a former Idaho governor. It’s the kind of tense, late-night story that makes a hotel hallway feel a lot longer.
The Oxford didn’t always stay glamorous. By the 1950s, it had slid into flophouse territory... the kind of place where “room service” meant the radiator maybe worked. Then in the 1980s, ownership changes and improvements helped pull it back from the edge.
And inside? The Cruise Room. It’s a windowless little bar that leaned into Art Deco style and, during Prohibition, allegedly operated as an illicit speakeasy-complete with rumors of secret panels and tunnels. It officially opened the day after Prohibition ended, which is an impressively prompt return to civic responsibility. In 2012, it was carefully restored-right down to historically accurate paint and that warm, light-pumpkin tone-while the drink list modernized with mixology favorites and a serious commitment to martinis served from oversized shakers. Subtle is not the point.
When you’re ready, Barth Hotel is a 2-minute walk heading southeast.
