Written by: John Lighthart, Class of ‘25 DPT student

The greatest demand on students in the Regis Doctor of Physical Therapy program is probably the substantial time commitment required for study and review of class materials. Students tend to find their own strategies for studying in their free time, whether it be in Peter Claver Hall classrooms, labs, or in the convenience of their own home. For many, the preferable option has been to visit one of the Denver area’s multitude of unique coffee shops. The cozy aromas, relaxing music and open spots provided by coffee shops are the ideal way for students to stay on top of their work in a productive environment away from their usually frequented spaces, which may not be as mentally conducive to studying. The choice one faces now isn’t whether or not to go study at a coffee shop, but rather, which coffee shop to go to. Well, fret not; down below is a culminated list of 5 diverse coffee shops across the local Denver area for a fellow “Sip-n-Study” student to pick from.

1. Steam Espresso

A former fire station turned open-espresso bar off the corner of Tejon St. and W 36th Ave, Steam Espresso is a great spot for any espresso or cappuccino lover, complete with a sturdy selection of other mixed coffee drinks to choose from. The mix of hanging plants, copper cooking equipment, varnished wood floors and multitude of windows letting in natural light creates a great study environment for any student wanting to review material or relax in a quieter spot on the weekends. Seating is moderately accommodating with some tables able to fit 4-5 customers, but mainly consists of duo tables and bar seating for the smaller parties. When the sun is out and temperatures are warmer, outdoor seating becomes available and the large fire station doors open and invite the soothing fresh air to drift in to the situated customers. This is a truly unique and historic spot that doesn’t require one to travel too far from the Regis campus.

2. Stella’s

A refurbished house located near the University of Denver campus off of Pearl St., Stella’s Coffee Haus is a gem that is well worth the trek across the Denver metro. Bolstering large amounts of seating for large 6-8 person parties, medium 3-5 person parties, and smaller 1-2 person parties, this artsy-style shop is a great choice for just about any type of study group. Stella’s offers great choices from the classic drinks such as Cold Brew, Iced Tea and Dirty Chai Lattes, in addition to their customized seasonal menu of tasty beverages, paired, of course, with their supply of locally baked goodies to enjoy with your drink. The shop offers one of the most interesting atmospheres with pastel colored rooms decorated with locally auctioned artwork from Denver artists and a small collection of donated “free-to-take” books for you to enjoy if you’re not in the studying mood. When exiting the main pastel spaces, you have the option of indoor exposed-brick seating filled with parallel running small duo tables, bar seating for smaller parties, or porch seating (yes, quite literally on the shop’s porch) for the enjoyers of outdoor weather. This spot offers a quieter space for one to enjoy in the small and quaint neighborhood of “South Pearl Street”.

3. Novo

Though known for being a local chain, Novo is always a solid choice to grab a fresh brew if you’re located somewhat closer to campus. Located at one of the smaller store spots in the West Highlands strip by Sweet Cow Ice Cream and Blue Pan Pizza, this location serves as a convenient spot for the smaller party coffee enjoyer looking to fit an off campus study session into their busy PT school schedule. As a smaller spot, this shop offers quieter vibes in a modern shop design and boasts a trusty selection of solid quality roasts if you are a drip or pour-over coffee enthusiast. Finally, when the studying is done and there is a little time to do some exploring or people watching, it’s hard to find a better area in Denver than the West Highlands.

4. Windy Saddle

If you are new to Denver, or Colorado as a whole, Golden should be a nearby town on your “Need To Visit” list. Golden is home to a multitude of quaint shops along its main street including the next shop on our list, The Windy Saddle. Roughly a 20 minute drive from the Denver area (12 minutes from Regis campus), this shop isn’t as close as the others on our list, but has aspects to it that make the drive well worth it. Located on the west corner of the “Welcome to Golden” arch, this little hole-in-the-wall is a moderate sized coffee shop with a decent selection of indoor and outdoor seating from which you can view the copious amounts of dogs strolling about with their owners. What sets this coffee shop apart from the others on this list is its large variety of coffees and teas served in conjunction with the many tasty food items on the breakfast or lunch menus. If you and a couple of friends are looking for a good spot to get away from the Denver area for a while, this is a spot you must try.

5. The Bardo Coffee House

Last, but certainly not least, of the coffee shop recommendations on our list is “The Bardo”. A refurbished retro diner-style coffee shop that is open until midnight most nights, the Bardo is a great late-night spot not too far from Regis University for students hoping to get some studying in when all other spots would be closed. With a solid amount of space and bar area, 4-person tables and communal couches, it is able to fit your average sized study party for some late night exam studying. The only real caveat to this great study spot is its limited parking space up front and around back during busy hours, but aside from that, this place is always a good go-to for the late night studier.