Lee Driscoll, who bought the iconic Cherry Cricket along with now-Governor John Hickenlooper in 2001, knew they had something special in the slightly rough-around-the-edges sports bar in Cherry Creek. The Cricket had already been serving the ever-changing demographics of the Cherry Creek neighborhood for over 50 years. For the next 20 years, the “Cricket” has served up what is arguably Denver’s favorite burgers along with an array of other comfort foods in an environment that’s inviting to everyone from toddlers to tycoons. They began thinking about a second location in about 2011 but Driscoll was wary. “We held back because we didn’t want to screw it up,” said Driscoll. “In addition, to great burgers, the depth of the rest of the menu, and great, casual service that exceeds expectations, there is something intangible about the Cricket that we call “fairy dust” and we wanted to capture that in any future location.”
Cherry Cricket Ballpark
(Photo by Marc Piscotty / © 2018)
The tipping point came when a fire swept through the Cherry Cricket in November 2016 and the restaurant needed to be completely renovated. The challenge to rebuild that restaurant while keeping the brand intact forced them to take a hard look and what elements had come together to create the Cricket’s unique “fairy dust.” The Cherry Creek remodel took about five months to complete and while it may be a little bit fresher, and they certainly made some necessary equipment and infrastructure changes, it looks and feels like the same authentic place that fans have flocked to for 70 years. “The remodel gave us the confidence that we could open this location. Despite the differences in the size of the space, we knew we could pull various elements that would give a second Cricket the same “fairy dust” as the original,” says Driscoll. Here is a look at the newest location…
Cherry Cricket Ballpark
(Photo by Marc Piscotty / © 2018)
The Menu:
“While the burger is loved and deservedly recognized, it is the depth of the rest of the menu that keeps people coming back again and again,” explained Driscoll. The menu at the Ballpark location is much the same as in Cherry Creek, headlined by burgers and filled out with other Cricket staples such as crispy jalapeño poppers, filled with house-roasted jalapenos and three kinds of cheese; chicken wings that run the gamut from Gold n Tangy to Atomic; salads, soups, and four different chilis, including the Cricket’s award-winning green chili; sandwiches with a dizzying array of add-ons and sides.
Cherry Cricket Ballpark – Fish Tank
(Photo by Elizabeth Woessner)
The Fish Tank:
Customers that know there is a fish tank in the Cherry Creek space, absolutely love it; those that didn’t know it was there shouldn’t worry because it is pretty easy to miss. You cannot miss the new fish tank – the focal centerpiece of the restaurant – it is a 1500 gallon saltwater tank and one of the largest living reefs in Colorado awash with bits of memorabilia like the Duffy’s Cherry Cricket sign, a swim-through burger, and a Colorado flag.
To-go Orders:
In the cramped quarters in Cherry Creek, it can be challenging to adequately meet the demands of customers wanting orders to go. The already packed bar serves as the command central for to-go orders which are handled by already overburdened bartenders. Guests in Ballpark will be greeted in a completely separate area where they can order and pick up their “Cricket-fix” on the fly. The Cricket expects to introduce a neighborhood delivery service in the near future.
Cherry Cricket Ballpark – Lounge
(photo by Elizabeth Woessner)
A Lounge:
Guests who are waiting to be seated in Cherry Creek have nowhere to linger other than the bar. In Ballpark, they can enjoy the Cherry Lounge with comfortable seating, televisions, and a fireplace where they and grab a drink or a bite while waiting for their table, in view of the active fish tank.
Video Games:
The video games in Cherry Creek are very popular with the kids and adults alike, but in Ballpark they have their own separate room with a “pour your own” beer system offering eight rotating taps. Guests simply show their ID at the bar and can fill money on a card to keep playing well into the night. This self-contained space is sure to make for a fun-filled private party area.
Cherry Cricket Ballpark – Dining Area
(Photo by Marc Piscotty / © 2018)
Private/Quiet Area:
Let’s face it, there is no quiet area in the Cherry Creek location. But in Ballpark, they have created a raised dining area where guests can escape the action at the bar and enjoy their meal in relative quiet. The room is separated by strategically placed reclaimed wood panels making it more private, but still part of the overall Cricket experience.
Unlike many of the dining and drinking options in this neighborhood, the Cherry Cricket plans to maintain its current 75/25 food to alcohol ratio. The goal, according to Driscoll, is “to complement the existing bars and food spaces that serve this neighborhood.”
We are pretty confident that Denverites will be enjoying the Ballpark Cherry Cricket for the next 70 years.
The Cherry Cricket Ballpark {2220 Blake Street, Denver, CO} is open from 11 am to 2:30 am Sunday through Thursday and 11 am to 3 am Friday and Saturday. Happy hour will run from 3 to 6 pm and from 10 pm to close.
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