Denver, Colorado- There are Patriots fans in every NFL city in America and here in Denver there are plenty of transplanted New Englanders. That's what led myself and Fox 25 videographer Walt McGraw to the Highland Tap and Burger (www.highlandtapburger.com).
The "Highland Tap" is owned by three different partners. One of them is Worcester native Juan Padro. "We have deep Boston and New England connections here. Between the bartenders, kitchen and wait staff, we have at 15 or so New England natives who work here".
Located on 2219 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211, The Highland Tap sits just blocks from the home of the Broncos (Sports Authority Field at Mile High ). "When the Patriots play the Broncos, our customers tend to be 70% Bronco fans and 30% Patriots fans but as you can imagine, The Patriots fans get pretty loud" said Padro. "This place will be pretty crazy Sunday afternoon"
The Highlanad Tap has full menu highlited by gourmet burgers and more. They also have many local microbrews on tap.
Bronco's fans are pretty rabid and they dominate the clientele but many of the staff makes sure they know where there roots are. "We love our customers to have a great time, but we always remind them where we come from". Said bartender Jordan Dailey who moved here from Maynard , MA originally.
"When the Patriots play the Bronco's Jordan and I get pretty rowdie with the crowd. It's a ton of fun" said fellow bartender and New Hampshire native Sabrina Nelson.
Waitress Alex Lomas is also from New Hampshire. " I went to school out here and ended up staying here. When I first started working here I had no idea how many New Englanders lived here. But I found out pretty quickly"
Padro and his fellow owners have expanded the bar to a space next door. They have opened "Bar Dough", which features wood grilled pizza, pasta and more "of the flavor of New England" here in Denver.
On Sunday , this place will be packed with mostly Bronco's fans but the Patriots fans who are here will make sure they are heard.
Cox Media Group
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