Solo dining is rising in Denver

More Denver diners are taking themselves out on the town.

By the numbers: The city's seen reservations for one jump 22% over the past year, OpenTable data provided to Axios shows.

• That's on par with the national average (23%) and follows a similar rise in other cities including Atlanta (25%), Austin (27%) and Chicago (28%).

Zoom in: Westword recently crafted a six-spot guide to solo dining — complete with book pairings — featuring Trattoria Stella, Sienna Wine Bar and Dew Drop Inn.

🪑 My thought bubble: A few more spots I'd happily pull up a chair for one:

• BearLeek for a lively perch overlooking the kitchen and a lineup of small plates. Pro tip: Don't skip the bread.
• Uncle for some of the city's best ramen and a front-row seat to the chefs — plus freedom to sip and slurp without splashing your date.
• Mezcaleria Alma, home to arguably one of Denver's most beautiful bars, for excellent cocktails and standout dishes from acclaimed chef Johnny Curiel.
• The Greenwich for another beautiful bar, solid Italian spread and a communal Prosecco toast every Wednesday at 6pm.
• Molino Chido for a more low-key night out, with elevated yet affordable Mexico City-inspired fare.

The big picture: All this growth in solo dining may look like another sign of America's loneliness epidemic.

• But some solo diners say eating alone offers a rare chance to slow down and enjoy a meal on their own terms.