Alcohol, hot irons and mascara wands can be a dangerous combination at home. At Fluff Bar, guests take care of the tippling while professionals safely handle the primping.
Fluff, a full-service salon and bar, is the brainchild of owners Benjamin Chizzick and Britt Chambers. Before opening in December 2011, the two moved from Los Angeles to Denver to work on the concept — Chambers still flies back to work one week a month at a salon in tony Brentwood.
According to Chambers, the Fluff idea came from her experiences prepping clients for red-carpet events in L.A. The lady of the manor would invite friends over to hang out while she got ready, and her beauty ritual would become a full-fledged party, complete with drinks.
At Fluff, the setup allows for similar drinking-and-beautifying fun. The long front bar is where guests have their grooming services done — yes, it is now possible to order and sip a stiff Manhattan while getting a blowout. A wooden rail, behind the stylists’ chairs, is where pals can watch the action and drink their own beverages.
The back bar is the place for straight-up lounging. Wrapped in crocodile-stamped white leather, the bar itself is glamorous on its own. Couches and low tables, topped with ice buckets, fill out the small, clubby space.
All of Fluff’s décor is done in white, from the bar shelving to the seating. This sounds like it’s possibly blinding, but glowing, shifting colors emanate from beneath the bars and other fixtures to add hits of bright color. Ornate chandeliers overhead reflect the tones, too.
If all of this seems a little too “bachelorette-party” for a gentleman on the town, keep in mind that Fluff also offers men’s services. With its proximity to popular LoDo clubs, Fluff’s in a great position to get a dude spiffed up before living the nightlife. And that liquor list is long, featuring loads of Colorado beers, booze and a surprisingly generous selection of wines.
Next time the urge to drink and preen arises, consider Fluff instead — it’s the safer alternative.
FLUFF BAR. A LoDo salon and saloon open from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; and noon-7 p.m. Sunday. Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 1516 Wazee St., 720-295-3583
