Baker is one of Denver's most diverse and eclectic neighborhoods, anchored by South Broadway on the west, the Design District on the South and filled with hidden gems in between.

If you go: We compiled a list of our favorite places — and recommendations from longtime residents — to guide you through the can't-miss spots in the neighborhood south from downtown.

Where to eat

MAKfam: The former food hall stall is now a standalone restaurant off 1st Avenue and recently earned recognition from the Michelin Guide for its elevated fast-casual Chinese food.

La Foret: Located in the former Beatrice & Woodsley space on South Broadway, the French restaurant kept the unique forest decor and added a fresh spin with lively cocktails and a Colorado-inspired menu.

Moxie Eatery: A great place for breakfast or lunch, this SoBo spot serves plenty of healthy food like the acorn squash torta and warm kale salad, alongside sandwiches and even ramen.

Baker Market: Tucked off 4th Avenue, this little bodega offers the staples you forgot on the grocery list and slings scrumptious breakfast burritos and lunch fare.

Rebel Bread: Fresh bread and pastries await at this Denver Design District spot that produces popular offerings at local farmers markets and other retailers. To really indulge, join the Bread Club or take a bread-making class.

Where to drink

Adrift: This tiki bar is unlike any other place in Denver — "a getaway experience," as they call it — with island-inspired decor, handmade cocktails and Caribbean food.

Historians Ale House: A traditional bar with a popular rooftop deck overlooking South Broadway and a decent beer list.

Middle State Coffee: The flagship roastery and cafe is located at Sante Fe Drive and 2nd Avenue and serves baked goods along with breakfast items.

Bardo Coffee House: One of the company's three locations is on South Broadway. It's open early and late — until midnight — making it a great place to meet up with friends.

Don't miss these places

Wizard's Chest: The magical treasures in this store appeal to adults and children alike, making it far more than a traditional costume shop.

Thrift stores: A cluster of thrift and vintage shops on South Broadway make for a perfect afternoon shopping trip. Be sure to visit Ten Penny, Goldmine Vintage and Goodwill.

Skylark Lounge: One of the city's most prominent music clubs, you can find live bands, karaoke, and even pool tournaments each Sunday.

Mayan Theatre: The crown jewel of the Baker neighborhood towers over South Broadway with its Art Deco architecture and southwestern touches. Built in 1930, the three-screen theater evolved through the years and now is the place to see independent and foreign films.

Complete guide

The Baker neighborhood took its name in the 1970s from the junior high school, which honors James Hutchins Baker, the first principal of Denver High School (now East High), according to research compiled by the Denver Public Library.

The intrigue: William Byers, a surveyor and farmer, is credited with establishing much of the current Baker neighborhood. He later published the state's first newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News, which shuttered in 2009.

The vibe: The neighborhood is known for its Queen Anne-style homes and Victorian architecture.

• It is bordered on the west by the South Platte River and extends East to Broadway. Its northern border is 6th Avenue and it goes south to Mississippi Avenue.

Flashback: Once known as "South Side" or "South Broadway," the neighborhood became home to "sketchy bars and sex establishments" in the 1960s, the research notes, as those businesses were pushed out of downtown.

Dig in: In the late '70s, the neighborhood started to rehabilitate its image with new businesses, clubs and galleries. In 2000, a portion of the neighborhood became a historic district to protect its legacy architecture.

What they're saying: "Today, an easy stroll throughout the Baker Neighborhood will conjure memories of pioneers, educators, and architectural movements as their histories echo throughout the area," the library research concludes.

• "The neighborhood's allure not only resides in Baker's historic charm, but also in the newer developments being added to the area."

Share with a history buff

The Baker neighborhood is home to three unique breweries that offer eclectic styles of beer.

The bonus: It's a half-mile walk between them, making it one of the city's compact beer tours.

Start at Baere, an inconspicuous brewery in a shake-shingle strip mall at 320 Broadway.

• Inside looks better with barrel decor, a golf simulator and a tap list of more than a dozen beers.
• What to try: Traditional IPAs dominate the list, but don't miss the sour Reciprocity, now in its fifth version.

Just a block south on Broadway, Trve Brewing stands as a temple to metal music and culture. Its dark confines belie the bright beers — whether the crispy, crushable Arise, a German pilsner, or the flagship Tunnel of Trees, a West Coast IPA.

• What to try: Grab a seat at the long communal table and sip a Skullseeker blonde ale followed by a Bloodaxe farmhouse ale.

Walk westward, deeper into the neighborhood, to find Novel Strand, one of Denver's most overlooked but quality breweries. Fitting its laid-back vibe, it opens for coffee at 7am and converts into a brewery in the afternoon.

• What to try: The Beer from Baker, a light Kolsch-style ale is a good place to start. Then try the Sour Krush, a tropical fruit soda-esque beer, and the unfiltered IPAs filled with poppy new-age hops with flavors of tangerine and papaya.

Send to a beer fan