When I first walked into the space at Stolen Bell, I knew it was going to be different from any space Golden had seen before. It is a striking room that was clearly crafted with intention. From the light display on the ceiling to the embedded booths and stone walls, it makes you feel like you have left Golden and walked into the newest cocktail bar in a major metropolitan city.
I was actually part of the opening team at Stolen Bell, working as a host, and I have lost count of how many people walked in and audibly gasped or looked right past me to take in the lounge. That reaction was not unique, and now the craftsmanship behind the space is being recognized on a much larger scale.
Stolen Bell Distillery has been shortlisted in two categories in the 2026 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, an international competition that describes itself as a major design competition for food and beverage spaces around the world. Stolen Bell is listed in the categories In Another Space and Surface Interiors, putting the Golden establishment among projects being recognized for their design on an international stage.
The distinction is important because the recognition is not for Stolen Bell’s spirits, cocktails or food. The awards are specifically focused on the design of food and beverage spaces. In other words, the thing being recognized is the environment that guests experience when they walk through the doors.
The awards’ 2026 shortlist is made up of projects selected by the judging panel as the year’s leading entries. Stolen Bell’s official entry identifies the project as being located in Golden and credits Ryan Jordan Industrial Design and Undrafted with the design. The entry also features a series of photographs by Elora Braden showcasing the finished space.
For Stolen Bell, one of the shortlisted categories is Surface Interiors, a fitting recognition for a space where materials and physical details play such a significant role in the overall experience. The stone, wood, lighting, seating and other finishes do not feel like separate decorations added to the room. They work together to create a distinct atmosphere.
The second category, In Another Space, recognizes a different aspect of the project. Stolen Bell is not simply a traditional restaurant or bar. It combines a working distillery with a cocktail lounge and kitchen, creating a space that serves several purposes while still feeling cohesive.
Making the shortlist does not mean Stolen Bell has won either category. The shortlist is the stage before the final awards are announced, with the 2026 winners scheduled to be announced in October. For now, however, making the shortlist means the Golden project has already been selected by the awards’ judges as one of the leading entries in its categories.
For a community like Golden, where much of the appeal comes from its mountain landscape and outdoor recreation, Stolen Bell offers a different kind of experience. It takes inspiration from
the character of the town while creating an interior that feels polished, contemporary and distinctly its own.
I remember watching guests experience that for the first time during my time on the opening team. Before they had even ordered a drink or sat down, they were looking around the room, taking in the details.
Now, an international panel of design judges is doing much the same thing.
