Forest Room 5

08/24/2008 Posted by jaimo

If you don't mind aloof service (and maybe the occasional/regular additional drink you hadn't had or ordered tacked to your bill), Forest Room Five is the real deal. The bartenders seem cool if aloof and the place is definitely art/psych-ful, if that makes sense. If you like obscure art-film, you'll love the place - that's pretty much what the place is in feel. I have personally only experienced the "inflated bill" once, myself, though I hear from many people that have been there (and from people around me while I'm there) that it happened, and any "error" seems to tend to be an "upward" error. The tapas is pretty good, too, there.

Pros: atmosphere and inspiration (in a bit of a dark way in a few senses of the term)

Cons: service (for many people)

05/05/2008 Posted by Activechick

I have been here three times, once during the week and twice on Friday nights. During the week was fine. On Friday nights the service was awful. Once the bartenders were shooting the breeze with each other before I could get thier attention. The other time we sat at a table and the waitress flew by so quick we had to physically stop her to get our order. She did not bring out one of my dishes but could not be found to inquire about it until she showed up to clear the table. Then she stated "Oh were out of that". My first drink was incorrect and I think that it belonged to the other table. Then she brought a bill that combined the two tables, just so she could get the 19% gratuity added. The bill included 1 more drink than I had and the dish that they were out of. When we asked to see the manager we were told that he was too busy. We then went to see the manager/owner and he would not stop what he was doing and stated that he was too busy to talk to us. I predict with this kind of attitude that this restaurant will be short lived. Also, some of the dishes are well done, others mediocre.

Pros: menu variety

Cons: service

04/29/2008 Posted by Vavoom9202

To SROW who wrote the previous review ---- they indicated the word "waiter" was slow. I'm sorry, but Forest Room 5 has no waiters -- they are waitresses, all of them. So maybe you were at the wrong bar/restaurant. FOREST ROOM 5 has exceptional service, food, and atmosphere -- try it, you will LOVE it.

04/12/2008 Posted by lindsey2929

Love this place- one of the few in Denver with actual character. In terms of service, the worst I have ever encountered is a slightly overworked waitress, but still wouldn't characterize it as bad. Maybe they've improved. The music is flat-out phenomenal, love the bartenders, food has been great for me. The owner may be slightly autistic- leave the guy alone. Great bar, and a huge improvement over the sleazy overpriced meat markets in LoDo.

Pros: ambiance, grownups, bartenders, MUSIC

Cons: bit crowded, the lower bar room smells like gym socks

03/27/2008 Posted by srow

The reviews that say the service is bad are ALL CORRECT! The ambiance and the food is good, but not worth the terrible service. I have been a few times and have been ignored each time. The first time was a little busy, so I wrote it off because of that. I was there last night, not very busy and the service was terrible. Drinks and plates were taken before they were finished. We had to waive down the waiter each time we wanted a drink. I like the variety of the menu and the food is quite nice...maybe get take out, but I wouldn't suggest going and trying to put up with the service.

Pros: diverse menu

Cons: BAD SERVICE

09/04/2007 Posted by lesley1111

I pretty much have to agree with what everyone says. The service is the absolute worst I have ever encountered. I have been a server for about four years and I have never seen nor have been more horrified with the service. The girl was snotty and rude and did take forever to get to out table to begin with. Every time we ordered a drink, it took another 20 minutes to get it to us. The place was not packed enough for her to be bogged down. In fact I would have done a better job drunk. Something I was not achieving at that place at the rate she was moving. I told her I wanted blue moon and she told me sunshine when she read back my order. I told her blue moon again and she said same thing, they call it that. Ok... I get it I guess, but really two totally different things. The most unfriendly waitress EVER!! The place itself is very very awesome. The drinks all tasted good when we finally got them. I loved the dog that was running around. On top of that, the people I was with tipped her way better than she deserved even though everyone could not get over how horrible she was! I give it a three because with a better cocktail waitress, the place would be a 5+

Pros: The area itself.

Cons: Worst waitstaff EVER

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/30/2007 Posted by sew5879

I’m sad to say that Forest Room 5 now tops my “will not go” list. What use to be a unique neighborhood bar/restaurant known its atmosphere, has now sunk to a place where the service is awful and inefficient and the food mediocre at its best. On my last visit it took over 12 minutes for the server to approach our table for the first time. After the dinner order was taken it took over 30 minutes to receive our incorrect, cold and soggy food. Frustrated and disappointed we estimated the total amount of the bill, left cash on the table, and left Forest Room 5 for the last time.

Cons: Awful service and mediocre food

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/12/2007 Posted by chauhound

I've been to this place about four times and have to say the atmosphere is great but the service is absolutely horrible! The last time I visited I ordered a their green tea martini and it was awful (think rubbing alcohol). When the waitress asked if everything was okay my friend told her I was unhappy with the martini (I never reject food/drink) so she said she'd see what she could do with it. It came back and tasted exactly the same. So I just wasn't going to drink it. When she asked again how it was I told her that it was just as bad. She replied "Well it is a martini, they are all liquor." as if it was my first ever drink. She asked if SHE could bring me something else. So she brought a Cosmo (I figured that was safe). Meanwhile we ordered food. We ordered the mussels and upon delivery she dumped the fries and a plate (which I caught btw) and didn't even apologize. In the end she was a complete nightmare AND she charged me for both martinis! I don't recommend this place unless you want to fend for yourself! This bar could be a wonderful place if someone knew how to hire a decent staff!

Pros: Great Atmosphere

Cons: The most unfriendly rude staff in town!

04/28/2007 Posted by dtowngal

So, I've been to Forest Room Five many (20+) times, in groups of varying sizes. Here are my thoughts... First, the place often seems to be sold out of half of its wine list. Second, the service can be amazing or awful, depending on the night. Sometimes it will surprise you, with a sweet server who is willing to make all sorts of exotic shot requests. Mainly it is bad - often slow and sometimes surly, which adds up to a big "miss" in my book. And yet I keep going back. It has great food - particularly the hummus and saganaki - and a cool vibe. A tip: If you plan to have a large group on a particular night for a special occasion, reserve the back room. You'll be assigned your very own server to tend to your needs, without the distraction of other tables.

Pros: Great food.

Cons: Slow service.

04/16/2007 Posted by kristih2

OK so, I've read the many reviews, positive and negative regarding the service at FR5. Being that my family owned the property that Forest Room 5 is located on now after meeting with the new owners many times, they were not decent, I agree. They were very, very rude and non-social... With that said, I've been to Forest Room 5 a few times and have had excellent service; it is a great atmosphere as well. No, it's not your average Lodo bar and they don't carry regular beers, it rocks! I would recommend everyone who's looking for relaxing, yet elegant scenery to visit there!

Pros: Great food, great drinks

Cons: Unfriendly Owners/Managers