Writer Square

I always stop here after grabbing a coffee from the starbucks nearby. always a wonderful place for sightseeing and to sit back and relax.

I drink starbucks one to two times a day. For the most part, the service is always good. Today I had the misfortune of stopping at the writers square starbucks. The cashier was busy doing everything other than taking my order and had to ask three times what I was ordering. Then the coffee guy (he was NOT a barista) made the wrong drink. The staff at this location are completely incompetent. Two blocks up or down 16^th is another starbucks. Just keep walking.

This review is regarding parking at Writer Square. On a visit to Denver, and unfamiliar with downtown, we drove around looking for parking, pricing lots as we passed them. Prices ranged from $ 12-​$ 16. Passing Writer Square, we saw a sign that said $ 10 Commuter Special. We pulled in and at the bottom of the ramp saw another price sign that did not show a $ 10 price, but rather a maximum $ 20 fee. There was a car behind us so no chance to back out. We walked around the lot to find someone to clarify but there were no attendants. We pressed the call button at the exit and a woman responded that she was only the answering service for Standard Parking and could not help us. We walked around upstairs including in the lobby and nobody could assist us. Finally, we left to tour Denver and on our return 2 hours later, we were indeed charged $ 20 by a machine — once again, not a live person around to assist. I drove around to the entrance to re-​read the sign. Sure enough, $ 10 Commuter Special and people pulling into the lot probably lured by this sign. Except, at the bottom was a piece of cardboard blocking additional language. I got out of my car, removed the cardboard and discovered the «small print.» Advance purchase via a website. Had the cardboard blown up against the sign strategically blocking the small print. I think not. Probably not worth the time, but I am thinking of disputing at least $ 10 of my $ 20 charge with my credit card company.

I love going to writer square on a sunday afternoon to relax and have a yogurt or maybe a sinful trip to rocketfizz. its a great area to people watch and catch an. Occasional conversation. Can be sweltering on those really hot days though so visit wisely.

Great place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning. There are just enough people around to give it a city vibe without NYC-​style chaos. Grab a crêpe or some Starbucks and soak up the morning sun!

One of the best spots to park if you’re looking to patronize any of the Larimer or Market St. establishments in LoDo.
While I normally utilize this spot as a thoroughfare, it is also home to a couple of restos (Sushi, Italian, etc) and Red Square (in case you want some monster infused vodka Russian style).

When I first moved to Colorado years back, this was mostly a place I used for the diagonal shortcut. Over time, I noticed some of the shops, and this became a more regular place in which to stroll. Eventually, as prices went up elsewhere, this became on of my favorites places under which to park (even if it is rather nerve wracking if you don’t drive a smaller car). Most of the time, I would probably be better of parking under here, than wasting any time hunting for an elusive meter, or trying to get something a little closer. There has been a fair amount of turnover in the businesses here, but there is always something interesting to be found. So, I guess I really like the location, location, location.

Cool little spot in downtown with some nice shops. I personally love Crepes n Crepes, Rocket Fizz (candy), Tewksbury (cigars), Red Square (vodka) and Cucina Colore (pizza, gluten free too!).
It is kind of just a big block of shops, but it is cute. It also has $ 4 parking for Comedy Works (just across the street), if you get your validation ticket. So it rocks, but don’t expect too much! It is a shopping spot so it depends on the quality of the shops that it houses at any given time!

No complaints about writer’s square. There’s an eclectic mix of stores in here and I always find something new I want to go browse thru. They’re parking garage is incredibly tight — even in my Mini — but the price isn’t too bad considering you’re downtown. If you go to Comedy Works make sure to get validated and it’s only $ 4

So, it’s a block of the 16^th street mall. There’s a Cheesecake Factory, a Mellow Mushroom, a crepes place, a Sprint store, the Tabor Center, a Colorado Athletic Club, a Starbucks and the Overland Sheepskin Co., which is a good place to go if you are a rich person and want to buy stuff made out of sheep. If you need to go to any of these places, then Writer Square will be useful to you. There’s underground parking and the mall buses and pedicabs can take you there. It’s also where a lot of the local horse drawn carriages park, so it’s a good place to be if you want a ride.
That’s my perspective, actually. I’ve only been to Writer Square to pass through on foot or to park my carriage. I don’t know why it is called Writer Square as it appears to be nothing more than an outdoor shopping mall. Dull for my tastes, but no doubt useful if you need or want to go to any of the places there.

Quick Tip Short Cut — When walking the city, you can use Writers Square to cut through to Larimer/​15^th from 16^th Street, vice versa. I always cut through here to avoid the empty block on Larimer near Overland/​UPS ;)
Reasons why you should use this shortcut:
— Fun passageway
— Sightseeing
— Stop by Rocket Fizz candy shop or Cuulture Yougurt
— Try new hidden restaurants
— Easy access to paid parking
— Avoiding the Solicitors (hahaha)
— Direct access to American Aparrel
— Avoiding the winds (sometimes)
— Stop by Crepes n Crepes ;)

I work downtown and it’s nice to come to an open area with benches, Jim’s Gourmet Dogs and loads of great people watching. If your lucky you’ll even get to see the guy with the live snake around his neck walk by.
I pop a squat on a bench and relax in the middle of the day. If you’re downtown this is perfect place to take a break and some sun.

$ 16 parking for barely over an hour that is ridiculous I would never park there again awful, awful, awful. I think I’m bitter because the shops and restaurants are just not worth the price to park.

So what is Writer Square? At first glance, I kept walking by it while heading towards The Tilted Kilt and then realized that is was a little area with a Crêpe restaurant, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and had another area that lead towards Red Square Martini Bar and eventually towards Larimer Square.
Would I go out of my way to come here? No… but if visiting downtown, not bad to stroll along 16^th Street Mall, pass by Denver Pavilions, visit the Denver Convention Center and maybe if you have more time, head down to Writer Square and Larimer.

Writer Square is just more shopping off of the 16^th Street Mall. Either most of these shops are simply not my style or are too touristy for rich shoppers that don’t want to make themselves look too obvious as tourists. There was one store, Z Gallerie that I liked a great deal but I am not sure if that is considered to be a part of Writer Square, Larimer Square or just downtown shopping in general.

This is my pre-​review. Writer Square is currently undergoing a transformation by its new owners. My prediction is that Writer Square will be dull and dreary once the renovation finishes. You see, they are removing all of the planters, and consequently all of the plants. Only to replace it all with… wait for it… you guessed it… CONCRETE!
Yes, fans of the lovely gardens that cool the place down and brighten the place up will be sorely disappointed once Writer Square becomes an integral part of the concrete jungle that we so affectionately refer to as «Denver.»
I mean, c’mon! When has anyone ever looked at a piece of flat barren concrete and thought: «hmm, I sure am glad there isn’t any art, or trees, or flowers, or planters, or statues, to ruin this fine void of concrete!»
Never!
This change disgusts me.
Dec 2009 update: lowered rating to 1-​star, the work is finished and it IS that ugly !!
But throw the folks at Crepes-​n-​Crepes restaurant a bone. They have great food in spite of the fact ‘the square’ lost its garden-​like attraction !
March-​2016 Update! Happened by Writer Square this past week, and it appears they are adding planter boxes… could it be true, they are bringing plant life and beauty back to WS!!!

So after reading Vince’s review I headed over the Writer’s Square to see how inspiring it would be for me and here is what I wrote at that time for my review:
The bird to my right wont stop staring at me, and I think that woman in that navy blue suite talking with that guy just farted as she coughed. I have to pee and I don’t know where to go.
Writer’s Square, I want to feel inspired by you, but you are just a shortcut to more stores and that makes me kind of happy, but kind of mad at the same time. You have some interesting stores in your ‘hood, but I don’t feel like a juice right now, and I am not sexy enough for American Apparel.
Writer’s Square, I think I love you.
* Star one for being an urban landmark that tourists probably seek out for no great reason
** Star two is for being a place to bring community together… to shop
*** Yummy star four is for that French restaurant over on the side… that looks tempting
Other stars were lost for lack of inspiration and the lingering smell of farts.

Admittedly, I’ve never really felt inspired to write at this location. And as a writer, I don’t really feel that Writer’s Square truly represents me.
Joking aside, this is a really cool little corner of downtown Denver, kind of tucked away from the major thoroughfares. It’s got cool shops and some nice places to stop and sit.

This is a brick-​laden central square for shopping and dining with a nice feel. Not too crowded ever, Writer square has a good selection of shops to check out, and some art and statues around to look at as well.
I like to think of it as the 16^th street mall’s smaller but more civilized cousin… maybe uncle… yes let’s go with uncle.
A swell stroll, fo sho

Writer’s Square is a professional daytime spot for some shopping and dropping in Downtown D. I could imagine the roots of this place somehow being in backwards establishments of J. Kerouac that have now strayed so so far from the path…(J.K’s underground poetry lair has turned into Sunglass City or Nail Sky :)
No, actually, one could have a pretty decent afternoon strolling about here. Bring the kids. Husband, even. Check out some generic art galleries. Get the nailz done. Pick up some (crappy-​and-​out-​of-​style) sunglasses. Get some chocolate. And most importantly, bask in the delightful Colorady sun! I think, an excellent place for 9 to 5-​ers to stop on lunch break or for happy hour :)