29 Best Bars in Denver in 2023 (By a Local)

Finding the best bars in Denver can be a challenge, but it’s a fine problem to have. I’m a Denver local who loves a good cocktail, and Denver has no shortage of places to get one!

I’ll walk you through Denver’s lively bar scene. Find upscale lounges with classic cocktails and dive bars with cheap drinks and friendly bartenders. I’ll include bars with creative non-alcoholic options and spots that double as top-rated Denver restaurants.

Don’t miss these Denver bars!

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29 Best Denver Bars

The Cruise Room

An atmospheric, Art Deco bar in LoDo with excellent classic cocktails.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 The Cruise Room  | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (303) 262-6070

The Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel opened the day after Prohibition, and you’ll feel like you’re still in that era when you’re here. The Oxford is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Denver, and The Cruise Room reflects this. 

The bar is modeled after part of the Queen Mary, with carved panels showing scenes from all over the world. Don’t try to be trendy here. Go for an old-school martini, a sidecar, or similar. 

The Cruise Room is also said to be a haunted bar, where a postman sometimes comes in and orders a beer…then disappears, leaving his beer behind. 

Finn’s Manor

A rowdy, crowded party vibe makes this a place for fun.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Finn’s Manor | 🍽️ Food Trucks | 📞 (970) 420-2759

The hundreds of spirits available at Finn’s Manor go along with this hopping party place’s “more is more” vibe. The bar is in an old brick house, and a food truck pod next to the bar means you’re sure to find something to nosh on if you’re hungry. 

Honey Elixir Bar

A funky RiNo cocktail bar that uses flower essences and has many non-alcoholic drink options.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Honey Elixir Bar | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 328-5992

I was a little intimidated by the “energetic/vibrational ingredients” on the menu at Honey Elixir Bar. But the server recommended the RiNo ShRub, and it’s now one of my favorite cocktails in recent memory. 

Honey Elixir Bar has unique and tasty cocktails and a ton of non-alcoholic “potions” for non-drinkers and designated drivers. It’s in the trendy RiNo neighborhood, and the indoor/outdoor counter makes it the perfect spot to enjoy a warm summer night.

La Bouche 

French wines and cocktails will transport you from the Uptown neighborhood straight to Paris.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 La Bouche | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (303) 830-3967

Wishing you were in Paris now (or always)? This bar serves French cocktails like pastis and has an impressive French wine list. Listen to the owners chat in French while you people-watch. It’ll make you feel cultured even if you don’t know what they’re saying!

Adrift Tiki Bar 

A South Broadway tiki bar that will transport you to paradise. 

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Adrift | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 784-8111

This South Broadway tiki bar goes all in with flowery garnishes and coconut serving cups. Adrift is one of many cool things to do along this walkable strip in Denver.

Try a rum cocktail and grab a bit to eat. The full menu has island favorites like SPAM musubi, Huli Huli Chicken, and Hawaiian macaroni salad. Sharing a drink with a friend? Order punchbowl cocktails that the bartenders will set on fire for you. 

Tight End Bar

Drop in to Denver’s only gay sports bar on East Colfax to catch a game.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Tight End Bar | 📞 (303) 861-9103

You won’t miss an important game at Tight End Bar with all the big-screen TVs on the walls! The friendly crowd means you’ll have a blast while watching too. Order Gaytorade vodka shots and cheer for your favorite team. You can also visit for Drag Queen Bingo, karaoke or poker nights, or weekend brunch.

Family Jones Spirit House

Try a whiskey flight at this combination bar and distillery in the Lower Highlands.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Family Jones Spirit House | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (303) 481-8185

The Family Jones Spirit House is part distillery and tasting room and part craft cocktail bar with small bites. The bartenders can suggest drinks, but I recommend starting with a flight to try several! Grab a bottle of spirits to take home with you if you like them. 

Room for Milly

A romantic, vintage vibe will make you want to dress for drinks at this LoHi bar. 

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Room For Milly | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 630-7020

Room for Milly is a glam vintage cocktail lounge based on the fictional character, Milly. She’s an irrepressible flapper from a bygone era who went on many unusual adventures. The drink menu, with its colorful descriptions, is delightful. The cozy velvet chairs and plush furniture add to the bar’s romantic atmosphere. 

Sunday Vinyl

Jam to classic records with a glass of wine at this 16th Street Mall bar.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Sunday Vinyl | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 738-1803

Pop open a bottle of wine at Sunday Vinyl as the DJ puts on a record at this downtown wine bar. The Frasca Hospitality Group is known for its wine expertise, so you’re guaranteed something special. Enjoy snacks while sipping wine and listening to records spanning a variety of genres.  

Death & Co Denver

Sample from the creative cocktail list at this bar in The Ramble Hotel in RiNo.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Death & Co Denver | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 330-2660

Death & Co is a branch of a popular New York bar that serves imaginative, seasonal cocktails. Unexpected ingredients like watermelon, celery bitters, and oregano populate the cocktails. 

Feeling hungry? Order from a menu of appetizers and a few entrees. Drop by in the morning for the coffee bar and breakfast or lunch.

The Cooper Lounge

A glamorous, classy bar inside Union Station.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 The Cooper Lounge | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 460-3738

The Cooper Lounge on the mezzanine at Union Station offers fantastic views of downtown Denver. You’ll also be right among the hustle and bustle of the station. The bar’s location invokes historic, classy cocktail lounges that those traveling by train might frequent. 

Elegant cocktails add to the ambiance, making this a tasteful spot for a special occasion. The Club Car Cuisine includes appetizers and a few entrees.

The Tatarian

Sip sophisticated cocktails at this Berkeley bar.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 The Tatarian | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (303) 416-4496

Visit The Tatarian to order imaginative cocktails. Its drinks have ingredients like honeysuckle liqueur and cilantro-infused gin. The cocktails even have intriguing names. Who wouldn’t want to order the mysterious-sounding Dark Hedges or better yet, Dragon’s Blood?

🚗 Be Safe! Denver has many ways to get around town without driving if you plan to spend a night out at the bars.

Yacht Club

A friendly neighborhood bar with creative drinks in the Cole area of Denver.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Yacht Club | 🍽️ Food Served 

This Cole-area bar has a dive bar feel…with thoughtful drinks. I tried the Yacht Club’s Birdman, which has rum, Campari, pineapple juice, and a huge sprig of mint. It was the perfect cocktail for a hot day. People wander in and out of the bar, chatting with the bartenders and enhancing the amiable vibe. 

Millers & Rossi

A sneaky speakeasy and art gallery hidden in a plain brick RiNo building.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Millers & Rossi | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 257-5342

Millers & Rossi doesn’t look like much from the outside. But you’ll find a dimly lit bar with delicious cocktails when you go through the secret door in the front room. The Smoked Old Fashioned is my favorite and a good drink to start with. A few of Millers & Rossi’s small plates can serve as your dinner or a late-night snack. 

Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria

This Littleton restaurant has an unrivaled selection of agave spirits. 

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 928-3318

Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria is a Mexican restaurant and bar in historic downtown Littleton. This friendly neighborhood cantina has delicious food and top-notch margaritas. Try delightful agave tastings and flights if you’re serious about your spirits. 

Slashers Denver

A spine-tingling bar featuring horror movies and creepy cocktails.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Slashers Denver 

Feeling brave? Head to the back room of this horror-themed bar to watch a screening of a different horror movie each night. You can also opt to stay in the front room at Slashers, sipping cocktails amongst the creepy decor.

Middleman

Unusual cocktails at this East Colfax hipster hangout make it a popular place. 

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Middleman | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (303) 353-4207

Try one of several mezcal drinks at this light-and plant-filled bar. The chili-infused mezcal with tamarind glitter is especially unusual. Snacks include “confit + smashed fried fingerling potatoes” served with the cook’s choice of dip. You can also get a salad, tuna tartare, or a boldly-named burger. 

ESP HiFi 

This Santa Fe Arts District cafe & bar takes its records seriously.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 ESP HiFi | 🍽️ Food Not Served | 📞 (720) 751-8163

The music is emphasized as much as the drinks at ESP HiFi. Cocktails are prepared quietly on purpose in this listening cafe and cocktail lounge. The bar’s owners use a sound system curated by companies around the world to play their tunes. Drink cocktails, local beers, natural wines, or tea and coffee while listening to the music. 

Forget Me Not

Botanical drinks and decor nod to this Cherry Creek bar’s former life as a flower shop.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Forget Me Not | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 259-5369

I expected this botanical-themed former flower shop to be subdued and on the quieter side, but that wasn’t the case. The crowd at Forget Me Not is boisterous and the music is pumping. The drinks are pretty and delicious. Its small plate menu is tasty if you’re feeling peckish.

My Brother’s Bar

This bar opened in 1873 and has no-nonsense drinks, pub grub, and a comfortable feel.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 My Brother’s Bar | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (303) 455-9991

My Brother’s Bar has been around for about as long as the Mile High City (with different names throughout the years). It’s an old and welcoming neighborhood bar with reliable cocktails and craft beers. The bar is family-friendly and has a kids’ menu too.

Hudson Hill

A plant-laden bar in Capitol Hill that serves coffee to wake up or cocktails to wind down.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Hudson Hill | 🍽️ Food Served

Hudson Hill is one of Denver’s best coffee shops by day and a cocktail bar by night. Complement your aloe margarita or cold brew coffee with a sweet or savory pastry. Don’t skip the House Milk Bun Breakfast Sandwich if you get there before noon. 

Union Lodge No.1

A downtown Denver bar that specializes in pre-Prohibition cocktails.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Union Lodge No. 1 | 📞 (720) 389-0447

This historic-feeling cocktail lounge has classic 19th-century cocktails. Try an Old Fashioned, an Absinthe Cocktail, or an upscale Mint Julep. The bar’s location in the business district means it’s a convenient place to stop in after work (while pretending you’re a Denver silver mining baron).

Pony Up

A whimsical, laid-back-but-kinda-fancy bar with a focus on French dip sandwiches.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Pony Up | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 710-8144

The Pony Up is so serious about its French dip sandwiches that it serves a shot of Tennessee whiskey with an au jus chaser. Try a jalapeño-infused margarita with corn liqueur, coconut cream, and lime for a fruitier profile. It also serves non-alcoholic cocktails. Don’t forget to order an actual French dip sandwich while you’re here! 

Reynard Social

This bar in the Thompson Denver hotel has impressive views of the city and mountains.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Reynard Social | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 794-9532

Reynard Social has creative drinks like Summer Mutiny, which features cognac, carrot, and guava. Grab an appetizer or burger while you’re here, too. The bar’s location on the 6th floor of the Thompson Denver means you also have amazing views from one of the Denver’s best hotels. 

Run For The Roses

Seasonal cocktails are served alongside classics at this posh Dairy Block bar.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Run For The Roses | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 573-9155

Run For The Roses has rare, vintage spirits and serves new and classic cocktails. Names like His Eminence and Lord Murphy give these drinks the reverence they deserve. You can also get some tasty parlor snacks if you want a bite to eat. 

The Welton Room

Unexpected garnishes and liquid nitrogen make the drinks at this Five Points bar one-of-a-kind.  

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 The Welton Room | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 447-9502

The toppers on the cocktails at The Welton Room are practically their own dish! Flourishes like cotton candy and popsicles make these drinks Instagrammable and delicious. Tapas are on-hand so you’ll have something to eat as well. 

Roxy on Broadway

Enjoy cocktails and comedy, live music, or open mic night at this South Broadway bar.

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Roxy on Broadway | 🍽️ Food Served | 📞 (720) 456-7041

Cocktails at the Roxy on Broadway are inspired by the 1920s. You can get a Paloma, a gin rickey, a Boston sour, and other classics. Live music and a dinner menu make this a wonderful place for a Denver date night!

Seven Grand

This Dairy Block bar has an extensive whiskey list.  

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Seven Grand | 📞 (720) 863-8975

Seven Grand has a variety of cocktails, but I recommend coming here to sample a few of its whiskies. The bar stocks over 700! Order one of the five classic whiskey drinks (especially an Old Fashioned) if you decide on a cocktail instead.

Seven Grand also has a Whiskey Society program. Try weekly whiskey tastings with master distillers and other people who know their stuff. 

Retrograde

Sneak into this speakeasy through an ice cream parlor!

📍 Google Maps | 🍻 Retrograde | 📞 (720) 772-7843

Ice cream and cocktails are a dream summer pairing! Retrograde is at the back of the Sweet Action ice cream parlor (previously called Frozen Matter) on 19th Street. Bypass the ice cream counter, head to the freezer door, and flip the light switch to indicate you’d like to visit. 

The menu has a variety of alien-themed cocktails. You’ll leave Retrograde knowing something special about the Denver bar scene that the general public doesn’t.

FAQs About Bars in Denver  

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Hopefully, this guide has pointed you toward some bars in Denver that you’ll enjoy! Check out this guide to the top Denver breweries for more places to grab a drink in this beautiful city if you’re a beer lover, or our guide to the best Denver clubs if you’d prefer to dance!