Fellow Traveler Revives the Lost Art of Connection in Englewood
In an era where digital screens often dominate our social interactions, Fellow Traveler in Englewood is on a mission to reclaim the “third place” — a space between home and work where community thrives. Founded by Joe Phillips, this unique vegan restaurant and cocktail bar has adapted to changing times while holding firm to the belief that face-to-face connection is vital to our social fabric.
Photos by Leigh Skomal
Originally conceived as a bar with a small vegan kitchen, Fellow Traveler evolved in response to customer demand. “Originally, the plan was to open a bar with a little vegan kitchen for snacks,” said Phillips. “And then what happened was people wanted the vegan restaurant more than they wanted the bar, so we had to pivot.”
The space, which opened in January 2022 after pandemic-related delays, still retains its bar-centric layout. “We have some tables, but the bar takes up the majority of the space,” said Phillips. “We have a real robust bar program, and now we’re mostly just a vegan restaurant.”
Fellow Traveler’s menu caters to a growing vegan and vegetarian population. The banh mi sandwich is the bestseller, crafted with tofu, miso aioli and a plethora of other traditional toppings. The deep south broadway burrito is another hit, filled with vegan sausage, tofu, potatoes and beans smothered in green chile and topped with chipotle crème, onions, cilantro and avocado. Phillips personally loves the “aloo gobi” with cauliflower, potato, coconut curry and rice.
But like Phillips intended, it’s the bar program where Fellow Traveler truly shines. He describes one of their innovative cocktails: “I have a drink called the ‘alora.’ A lot of my cocktails have really been inspired by travels with my wife. I really wanted to make a very Sicilian take on the Black Manhattan.”
Recognizing shifting trends in alcohol consumption, Fellow Traveler has developed a robust non-alcoholic beverage program. “We sell more non-alcoholic drinks than we sell beer or wine,” Phillips said. There are health shots with carrot, lemon and ginger syrup all the way to spirit-free cocktails like “nectar of the gods” with grapefruit, lemon, pickle brine, simple and soda.
Beyond serving food and drinks, Fellow Traveler aims to foster genuine human connection. Phillips expresses concern about changing social habits. “I worry that we are losing the third place,” he shared. “And I don’t know if our culture will ever go back to what it was before.”
To combat this, Fellow Traveler encourages patrons to engage with new experiences and people. “On our cocktail list, we have a section called ‘strange cargo,’ which has a lot of spirits that people may not have ever heard of or tried,” he explains. “And in the description, I wrote, ‘even your soulmate was once a stranger.’”
As Englewood and the broader Denver area continue to change, Fellow Traveler stands as a beacon for those seeking authentic connection. “I hope that people will go back to the bars and talk to strangers—and get their nose out of their phones,” he said.
Phillips recently acquired South Broadway favorite Sputnik, adding a second restaurant to his portfolio. “I fell in love with Sputnik right away,” he said. “I was there the night it opened and moved to Baker just to be closer to it.”
“Sputnik changed the whole character of South Broadway,” Phillips adds. “It has been my favorite bar and holds a very special place for many, many other people.”
Regarding maintaining Sputnik’s charm while introducing new ideas, Phillips and his business partner, Spencer Madison, believe not much needs to change. They are focusing on enhancing service and improving the kitchen.
For aspiring local restaurateurs, Phillips humbly advises, “I’m not sure I’m in any position to give advice. I’ll gladly receive some though. The only advice I would give is, keep your nose clean and take care of your mental health.”
In a world increasingly dominated by digital interaction, Phillips’ concepts offer a refreshing alternative—a space where community can flourish, one conversation at a time. Whether you’re sipping on an inventive cocktail or enjoying a plant-based meal, this local gem invites you to rediscover the joy of face-to-face connection in our ever-evolving urban landscape.