The Cork & Cask Story
The dream of an upscale wine and whiskey bar began with Lucas Frye and Joe Campana — two long-time business partners who had met during their time at Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. But the vision of Cork & Cask began with a passion for quality, an appreciation for the Downtown community, and a few velvet Victorian chairs.
The vision was clear:
A fun, eclectic bar with one of the best whiskey lists in Colorado
An inviting, yet mysterious environment that anyone can enjoy.
A “usual spot” with a luxurious twist.
While they were out gathering inspiration for the bar, Lucas and Joe stumbled upon a few red,velvet barstools. They wondered how they could capture the essence of these posh, velvet barstools and apply it to an upscale Colorado Springs wine and whiskey bar.
And the result was everything that Colorado Springs had been missing. Old-school brick, antique decor, and the best selection of whiskey in all of Colorado Springs, Cork & Cask attracts a unique crowd — a crowd with a passion for all things “quality” and “eclectic”. When you first step into the old trolley warehouse, you’ll be greeted by the warm light of antique chandeliers and the spine-tingling sight of Phil Lear’s artwork. Taste a sip of royalty as you enjoy a cocktail from a Victorian high-back chair. Surround yourself with the comforts of luxury and the welcoming smiles of the Downtown community. Take a seat in front of the towering whiskey wall and chat with some of the most interesting people that the Springs has to offer. And make yourself comfortable in one of the velvet Victorian high-back chairs that started it all.
This is whiskey and wine elevated.
This is Cork & Cask.
MEET OUR TEAM
LUCAS FRYE, OWNER
A humble Colorado native, a talented visionary, and a fearless leader, Lucas Frye is the proud owner of Cork & Cask. But before giving life to his vision of an eclectic wine and whiskey bar, Lucas was busy making his mark in the fine-dining industry. From Blue Star to Flying Horse Country Club to Bourbon Brothers — Lucas learned from the elite, becoming a whiskey expert along the way.
It was during this time that Lucas would meet his business partner and partner-in-crime, Joe Campana. The two would soon realize their vision of a gothic sanctuary that featured the single best selection of wine, cocktails, and whiskey in all of Colorado Springs. And the rest, as they say, is history.
PHIL LEAR, Artist
His paintings deal with the beauty in common scenes of nature and everyday folk. He finds inspiration in the touching effects of light and shadow, and the narrative splendor of the simple things in life. Like the Academy painters of the 1800’s, Phil prefers to work with a warm, limited palette, using subdued colors to bring a calm and natural mood to the canvas.
“There is poetry in everything,” Phil says, “and the painter – like the poet, or musician, or sculptor – must bring it to attention, because he sees what others oftentimes do not.”