Oh, Denver. What boozy secrets do you hide in your winding streets?

Down under the Park Avenue overpass, near Coors Field, there’s an alternate little universe. It’s still on the skewed downtown grid, but Interstate 25, the South Platte River and the BNSF railyards create serious obstacles for the roads.

Driving around can be confusing — until you stumble on the Rex Lounge (2936 Fox St.). The beer banners hung outside suddenly make the mission clear.

A low-slung roadhouse on a dusty, obscure stretch of Fox Street, the Rex is a dimly lit, unassuming place. It seems like it could be a biker bar, until one notices the indie rock and hip-hop playing on the speakers. Then there’s the DJ booth and PA system, and the cheesy, vintage booths.

That’s when it gets interesting. What’s going on here in the shadow of Coors Field?

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Looking for a better glass of juice? Look no further than Little’s.

Winemakers generally associate lower yields with higher quality; fewer grapes means better juice. It’s the vintner’s version of the “less is more” maxim.

To see the same adage in operation at a liquor store, head to Little’s in South Denver. Little’s is, well, little. But it’s the intimate nature of the place that makes it a worthwhile stop. And don’t let the cedar-paneled walls and neon signs fool you: The inventory here reflects the astute taste of merchants who are passionate about their product.

Dozens of microbrews and a serious batch of fancier European ales fill the coolers. You’ll also find a standard offering of liquors, plus many Colorado spirits. Then there’s the wine.

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