Work & Class is a casual restaurant and cocktail bar at 2500 Larimer Street, Suite 101, in Denver’s RiNo Art District, Colorado, United States of America. Founded in 2014 by chef Dana Rodriguez, it combines Latin American cooking with Southern comfort food. Rodriguez’s upbringing on a farm in Chihuahua, Mexico, informs its straightforward approach: generously flavored food, informal service, and drinks without ceremony. Travelers come for shareable meats, substantial sides, and an animated dinner setting rather than a quiet, formal tasting menu. Read the restaurant’s story.
What to Expect at Work & Class
The signature experience is building a meal around several meats and sides rather than ordering a conventional entrée apiece. The RiNo menu includes coriander-roasted Colorado lamb, slow-braised Colorado goat, achiote-braised cochinita pibil, and carne asada with chimichurri. Most meats come in quarter-pound, half-pound, and pound portions, making it easy to compare flavors across the table. Start with modest quantities and add dishes according to appetite; those portion choices are particularly useful for couples who want variety without committing to several large plates.
The atmosphere is informal and communal, with conversation and shared dishes central to the evening. Southern and Mexican influences meet in accompaniments such as smoked Gouda macaroni and cheese, spiced fried sweet plantains, and jalapeño cornbread muffins. Drinks receive similar attention: the Chimi Margarita uses chimichurri-infused tequila or mezcal, while the Negra Old Fashioned combines bourbon with charcoal demerara and orange. Choose this restaurant for a sociable dinner with friends or a relaxed date; its communal character matters more than hushed privacy. The district’s restaurant listing describes that lively, shared-table setting.
- Colorado lamb: Coriander-roasted meat available in three portion sizes.
- Cabrito: Slow-braised Colorado goat, a distinctive alternative to familiar steakhouse choices.
- Blue-corn empanadas: Rajas filling with corn, Hatch green chile, mozzarella, and smoked tomato sauce.
- Early Work Release Program: Happy hour runs from 5–6 p.m. on operating days.
- Butterscotch pudding: A dessert finished with almond, toffee, and whipped cream.
Work & Class at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2500 Larimer Street, Suite 101, Denver, CO 80205, United States of America |
| Neighborhood / Area | RiNo Art District, in Denver’s Five Points area |
| Operating Hours | Wednesday–Sunday, 5 p.m.–close; closed Monday and Tuesday. Happy hour: 5–6 p.m. Check the official location page before a late arrival. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission ticket; food and drinks are purchased separately. Blue-corn empanadas $13; quarter-pound Colorado lamb $18; sides $11 small or $19 large; house cocktails $13–$14. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1–2 hours for dinner and drinks |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Destination intersection: 25th and Larimer. Check local stops with the RTD trip planner; Union Station is a regional rail and bus connection, not a doorstep stop. Follow posted street-parking restrictions. |
| Official Website / Phone | Work & Class official website / 303-292-0700 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve through the official website’s Reserve RiNo button, taking care not to select the separate Englewood restaurant. A 5 p.m. booking aligns dinner with happy hour and leaves time for a neighborhood walk afterward. For late dinners, telephone about the kitchen’s closing time: the restaurant currently publishes “5 p.m.–close,” rather than a fixed nightly cutoff. Give yourself additional time to find legal parking, and use 2500 Larimer Street as your navigation destination rather than relying on the restaurant name alone.
For wheelchair or stroller visits, call before booking to arrange suitable table space in the communal dining room and confirm the step-free entrance route and restroom access. Ask specifically about maneuvering clearance rather than assuming every seating position works equally well. Before dinner, walk approximately five minutes northeast along Larimer to Denver Central Market at 2669 Larimer Street. Continue along the surrounding RiNo mural blocks for another five to ten minutes; these make an easy art-and-food pairing without needing to move your car. Use designated crossings and allow extra time when sidewalks are busy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Work & Class open, and when should I arrive?
Dinner begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; Monday and Tuesday are closed. Arrive at opening for the 5–6 p.m. happy hour. Telephone before planning a late-night meal.
Do I need tickets or a reservation?
No admission ticket is required. Reservations are accepted through the official website; select RiNo. Dining is à la carte, so your total depends on portions, sides, and drinks.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 1–2 hours for a shared dinner. Add approximately 30–45 minutes if you want to browse the nearby market and mural-lined blocks before eating.
Is it suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Flexible portions suit sharing, but expect a lively restaurant rather than a quiet family dining room. Call 303-292-0700 about high chairs, stroller placement, wheelchair seating, and the entrance and restroom route before reserving.
When planning your Denver travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Denver, pair this stop with standout local spots including Odyssey Italian Restaurant, Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Ragin' Hog BBQ, and Il Posto (0.2 km away).
