2018 Colorado FIVE member Steven Waters

Steven Waters and I are both alumni this year for Colorado FIVE. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him two years in a row. His talent and vision are really out of the box. I admire his approach to mixing drinks, using the mind-set of a chef. There are people who follow the rules and people that break the rules, and then there are those who make the rules. He does just that when mixing cocktails by creating some truly innovative concoctions. His immense talent and deep understanding of spirits inherently creates perfect pairings with food. Moreover, he’s one of the hardest working people I know and just simply a great down to earth guy. At every event he shows up early, squares away his responsibilities and then asks where he can help the team. A Colorado native, Steven found himself in the restaurant industry by chance when a friend offered him a job as a bus boy to earn some extra cash. Immediately Waters knew that the hospitality industry was something he would transform into a career. Helping to open, and working at some of Denver’s best restaurants, allowed him to gain an invaluable amount of experience.

Waters made the transition from consultant to restaurateur when deciding to open his first restaurant in Denver. While working on this first restaurant as a partner, he found himself back in New York working briefly in The NoMad, sister restaurant of Eleven Madison Park which received the award as #1 Restaurant in the world for 2017.

The staff at NoMad received a James Beard Award for outstanding bar program, a Michelin star, and the #68 spot on San Pellegrino’s Top 100 list. Waters returned to Denver to begin construction of his restaurant as Co-owner and operating partner. His desire is to provide guests with an unforgettable experience . With extreme attention to detail Waters' aim is to deliver a flawless dining experience for each person that comes through his door. He parlayed that experience into becoming a restauranteur and entrepreneur, having new businesses in the hospitality, health/wellness, and tech sector. In December of 2016, Waters sold his partnership and started Soigné Holdings, a hospitality development and consulting firm specializing in psycho-spatial design.

His work ethic and aptitude, which he consistently brings to the table, are why I’m so excited for his upcoming project. Waters is about to open another restaurant venture of his own—Run For The Roses in the Dairy Block development in Downtown Denver. It will pay homage to the elegant cocktail clubs of yesteryear. Serving classic libations in a cozy yet sociable setting with hints of superstition and luck seen throughout. Run for the Roses offers a seasonal menu of crafted cocktails and rare and vintage spirits, along with elevated snacks. Open Thursday – Sunday evenings

1801 BLAKE ST. SUITE 10 DENVER, CO 80202
LETITRIDE@RFTRBAR.COM