Semiprecious, a unique bar venture located in Denver, represents an innovative partnership between hospitality veterans Mike Capoferri and Rahul Marwah and the local design studio Wunder Werkz. The establishment operates directly below the design studio's office, fulfilling founder and director Jon Hartman's long-held vision of creating a neighborhood-serving bar in the space. After reaching out to his long-term collaborators Mike and Rahul, what started as a simple concept quickly evolved into a full partnership centered around the fusion of exceptional drinks and thoughtful design.

"For a long time, I've felt that design is more than a veneer that you slap on a project at the end, once all the important decisions have been made," explains Jon Hartman, emphasizing the studio's philosophy of integrating design from the ground up. This project presented a delicate balancing act for Wunder Werkz, as they sought to pair outstanding design with a sustainable profit model while sharing both the risks and rewards of the venture.

The stakes felt particularly high given that the bar operates in Wunder Werkz's own neighborhood, creating additional pressure to deliver an exceptional experience. When balancing cost considerations with strong design principles, the team developed what they describe as "fixations," spending considerable time perfecting details like peg board walls and apple box seating arrangements. Since customers would experience these design outcomes firsthand, every decision, no matter how small, carried significant weight in the overall experience.

The bar's custom drink cans exemplify this attention to detail and playful approach to design. A garibaldi highball features a whimsical tomato with legs, while the mango can embraces anti-design aesthetics through deliberate pixelation and high contrast elements. These design choices reflect the establishment's commitment to creating memorable visual experiences that complement the drinking culture.

Semiprecious's visual language draws inspiration from both American western culture and European drinking traditions, creating a unique aesthetic blend. The establishment's logo features the silhouette of a mythical pegasus that, according to Jon, "wouldn't go amiss on the front of a baseball team's jersey." This choice reflects his desire for the design to feel special without crossing into pretentious territory - essentially embodying the "semi-precious" concept that gives the bar its name.

The unique co-ownership arrangement created an ideal playground for creative experimentation within the studio. Every member of the Wunder Werkz team was given the opportunity to illustrate their interpretation of the pegasus mascot, affectionately named "Peggy." These diverse versions were then skillfully combined by the studio's head illustrator, Maggie, to create what they describe as an "ethereal amalgamation" that serves as the bar's central visual element.

"We felt she was a really perfect visual representation of something that was very precious, but also a little silly," Jon explains about the pegasus mascot. This mythological aesthetic is supported by a bold yet cozy color palette featuring ox blood and cobalt, creating an atmosphere that feels both warm and inviting to patrons.

The comprehensive design system incorporates a custom script typeface inspired by mid-century cocktail books such as "Stork Club" and the architectural writings of Le Corbusier. Jon cites Le Corbusier's wooden holiday home, Cabanon, as a significant influence, particularly as he became increasingly interested in brutalism and the complex interactions between tactility and materiality in design.

This combination of visual elements offers a refreshing departure from the current era of minimalism that dominates the food and beverage space, where traditional menus are increasingly replaced by QR codes and interior design projects seem to merge toward what many describe as a "bleak monochromatic future." Semiprecious stands as a counterpoint to this trend, embracing warmth, personality, and visual richness.

As drinking culture faces decline and social isolation continues to rise, Semiprecious's mission of building community represents a crucial aspect of the business model. Jon's primary goal was to serve his immediate neighborhood and foster genuine community connections. This vision has since expanded to encompass the broader design community and hospitality industry, creating an enjoyable space where new ideas can emerge over shared drinks and conversations.

"For us, it always starts on the human level, with the people you want to go there, how you want them to feel in our spaces, and what you want them to take away," Jon concludes, emphasizing the human-centered approach that drives both the design decisions and the overall business philosophy. This focus on community building and meaningful social interaction positions Semiprecious as more than just a bar - it's a carefully crafted environment designed to bring people together and inspire creativity through thoughtful design and quality hospitality.