Locations in Denver: DrinkHere

1701 Wynkoop St., Denver LoDo/Ballpark/Commons Park

720-460-3738

Small Plates, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, Sponsor, DrinkHere

When Union Station was renovated, the mezzanine was turned into one of the most enchanting bars in town: the Cooper Lounge. With elegant seating areas and a long bar fronted by comfortable stools, it’s a great place to meet up with friends from out of town. But it's also become something of a favorite with locals, particularly on full-moon nights, when you can sit on a barstool sipping a martini and look over 17th Street bathed in moonlight. The view is magical. And you might need to be a magician to secure a spot here: There's sometimes a two-hour wait.

6 articles

El Toro

4957 Colorado Blvd. North Denver

303-952-1931

Mexican, Bars, Best Of, Sponsor, DrinkHere

No bull here, just cheap drinks, great food and friendly regulars who appreciate the Garcia family, which also founded the beloved Mexico City Lounge and is now on a third generation at El Toro. The decor boasts velvet paintings, paneling and an enormous TV in the corner; the menu is slightly less elaborate, featuring basics like greasy fried tacos, beef and bean burritos, and menudo seven days a week. Be prepared: This little joint is cash-only.

4 articles

Golden Moon Speakeasy

1111 Miner's Alley, Golden West Denver Suburbs

720-638-1155

Bars and Clubs, Distilleries, Best Of, Sponsor, DrinkHere

In 2007, when the U.S. government finally allowed absinthe to be made and sold in this country, distiller Stephen Gould was ready. By 2008, his hobby had become Golden Moon Distillery, which has since expanded to an eclectic lineup of liqueurs. In 2014, this tasting room that doubles as a destination for classic cocktails opened in downtown Golden, in an alley just off the main drag. All of the booze on the back bar comes from the distillery, which is located across town, and the skilled bar staff excels at showing it off in a variety of libations.

1 event 10 articles

hi-dive

7 S. Broadway South Denver

303-733-0230

Music Venues, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, Sponsor, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

The bars at these conjoined spaces are two sides of the same coin — both a little worn and gritty, but still good for quick shots or planting yourself for the long haul. Since 2003, the hi-dive has been a refuge from crass commercialism and bland bars catering to the masses. Cheap, stiff drinks and a revolving door of creative talent have kept the music venue ahead of the game. Sputnik, on the other hand, offers a mid-century vibe, along with plenty of meatless fare.

39 events 494 articles

Kentucky Inn

890 S. Pearl St. South Denver

303-778-9600

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The Kentucky Inn, one of the oldest bars in the West Wash Park neighborhood, closed in July 2017 for a remodel and the installation of a new kitchen. Inside, decades of cigarette-smoke stains were scrubbed away, new floors and wood paneling were installed, and a billiards room was added at the back. The original Kentucky Inn never had much of a kitchen, but the expansion brought a menu of bar favorites and a few Southern specialties to match the Kentucky theme, including the award-winning KY Cuban.

12 articles

Stadium Inn

1701 E. Evans Ave. South Denver

303-733-4031

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The “Shade-ium,” as it’s known to most who have crossed its stoop, lives up to its nickname. Even though it’s now in the hands of the Little Pub crew, it remains old-school. Questionable characters and drinks cheap enough to encourage dangerous levels of inebriation are the name of the game here. Its proximity to the University of Denver draws plenty of students when school is in session, and they get plenty of life lessons at the Stadium — namely, the character, feel and benefits of a bona fide dive.

3 articles

Stockyard Saloon

4710 National Western Dr., Denver Globeville

303-298-0525

American, Mexican, Best Of, Sponsor, DrinkHere

During the annual National Western Stock Show, the Stockyard Saloon — located in a historic building in the heart of the old packinghouse district — is the hottest place in town. But this watering hole is worth a visit the rest of the year, too. The second-floor space offers an interesting view of the rapidly evolving neighborhood as the National Western complex is transformed, and the view inside is usually pretty interesting, too, since cowboys are often rubbing elbows with realtors checking out the area.

7 articles

Stoney's Bar and Grill

1111 Lincoln St., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-830-6839

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While there’s also a Stoney’s outpost in Uptown, the original is one of our favorite places on game days — or any day. The sprawling bar can accommodate big crowds, and there’s plenty of room to belly up to one of the two bars as well, where you can order Colorado beers on tap. In the front of the house is a ski-lift chair from Keystone, which is fitting, since Stoney’s is an ode to all things Centennial State. There’s also a stage for live music, Skee-Ball and a weird miniature bowling alley.

78 articles

The 1UP Arcade Bar - Colfax

717 E. Colfax Ave. Central Denver

303-736-2230

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The 1UP has branched out to three locations in the Denver area, but it's the Colfax Avenue location that's closest to our circuit boards. Sure, the longtimers wax poetic about the days when the 1UP hosted live music — and they're right — but we dare you to find a better place for cheap suds, pinball and classic vidya games in Denver. Two-buck cans of beer? Check. The Simpsons arcade game and NBA Jam? Check. Pinball games spanning the 1980s to present day? Check. Put a few dollars into the quarter machine, try to up your score over some Tecates, and keep the change, ya filthy animal. You'll be surprised at how little you spent.

35 articles

715 Club

715 26th Ave. Central Denver

303-295-8927

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In 2016, bar pros Corey Costello, Sudhir Kudva and Michael Reilly resurrected this long-vacant Five Points joint that was originally owned by Charles Cousins. The 715 was in its prime in the 1940s, and closed in the ’80s after becoming a run-down shell of its former glorious self. Now it’s an appropriately divey neighborhood bar that often draws a more lively crowd when there are shows at Cervantes’ across the street. The patio also doubles as a pickup window for one of the city’s best slices, at Famous Original J’s.

2 events 8 articles

Ay Papi

248 Detroit St., Denver Cherry Creek

Bar, Small Plates, Cuban, DrinkHere

The Culinary Creative Group is a powerhouse in the local dining scene, and in 2021, it got into the bar game with Forget Me Not, creating a buzzy vibe in a neighborhood that’s not really known for nightlife. Ay Papi, which opened in June 2023, upped the game even more for Cherry Creek with its Latin-inspired atmosphere, rum-heavy drink list and bites like ceviche and Cuban sandwiches.

Bar Nun

1225 Logan St. Central Denver

720-532-0757

Pizza, Bar, DrinkHere

The former Capitol Hill Tavern was resurrected in 2020 when Bar Nun opened in that space, with irreverent decor (think a painting of Jesus with Juggalo face paint and plenty of nun imagery) and a friendly staff that will make you feel like a regular immediately. Whether you’re pounding pickle shots on the enclosed patio or pairing a cold beer with hot wings and pizza at the bar, this spot is a casually cool addition to the neighborhood.

1 article

Beacon

2854 Larimer St., Denver Five Points/RiNo

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In early 2022, Robert Champion and Mario Nocifera debuted a dance bar/immersive venue inspired by Tulum and Burning Man in the heart of RiNo, and it’s become a late-night haven. The space includes several hubs created by a core crew of a dozen local artists, including a beehive-themed geodesic dome, a garden-like outdoor space, and a bar enveloped in vines and forestry. In 2024, the duo hopes to replicate the magic with a second art-fueled venture in RiNo that will be geared more toward daytime crowds.

7 events 3 articles

Bierstadt Lagerhaus

2875 Blake St., Denver Five Points/RiNo

720-821-1571

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Ashleigh Carter and Bill Eye opened this brewery in 2016. It specializes in lager beers, including three core brews: its helles, its dunkel and — perhaps the most lauded beer in Colorado — its Slow Pour Pils. But beyond Bierstadt’s propensity for making some of the best craft beers in the state, it’s also housed in an expansive space that regularly hosts large events, pop-ups, games and trivia, while also offering plenty of corners to tuck into for an intimate experience.

51 articles

The Block Distilling Co.

2990 Larimer St. North Denver

303-484-9033

Bar, Distilleries, Best Of, DrinkHere

Everything just feels right when you visit the tasting room at this RiNo distillery. That’s because it’s focused on doing things the right way, from how it sources ingredients and crafts its spirits to its sustainability practices and commitment to giving back through a partnership with Nathaniel Rateliff’s nonprofit, the Marigold Project. Plus, the bartenders here know how to have fun with a cocktail, whether you’re sipping a gin-based concoction spiked with bouillon or a whiskey libation flavored with sweet corn.

3 events 4 articles

Boombox Brew Bar

5686 Pecos St. North Denver

303-862-5387

Bar, DrinkHere

For a decade, Northsider Luke Sandoval was a truck driver, delivering booze for a local liquor and wine distribution company and dreaming about being on the other side of the business. In 2022, he brought that vision to life with this neighborhood bar outfitted with a pour-your-own beer wall, solid pub fare, brightly colored street-art murals and a high-energy playlist stacked with ’80s and ’90s hip-hop and R&B. Boombox also hosts weekly events including karaoke and music trivia nights.

2 events

Brewability

3445 S. Broadway Englewood

303-598-0809

Brewery, DrinkHere

Brewability, which employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to brew and serve beer, got its start in 2016 and moved into its current home three years later, adding a food menu that includes pizza and mac and cheese. The brewery's commitment to supporting its employees is impressive, and easy to admire while hanging out in a welcoming space that includes both indoor and outdoor seating as well as fun events like Tarot Thursdays.

2 events 11 articles

Brewery Bar II

150 Kalamath St. West Denver

303-893-0971

Mexican, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, DrinkHere

The original Brewery Bar opened in the old Tivoli brewery and moved to its Kalamath location while Nixon was still in office (hence the II in the name). The bar is decked out with sports memorabilia and is host to a crew of regulars who gather not only for the strong pours and camaraderie, but also for the classic Den-Mex cuisine, including a spicy and tomato-heavy green chile that’s one of the best in town, especially when smothering an order of crispy chiles rellenos.

17 articles

The British Bulldog

2052 Stout St. Downtown Denver

303-295-7974

English, Indian, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

The Bulldog’s dark and shadowy space actually looks and feels like an Old English pub — not a nightclub or a cocktail lounge or a fern bar or even the Punch Bowl, which once occupied this spot. It’s a double-barreled shotgun of a room, with the long oak bar on one side and rickety, high-backed wooden booths on the other that are devilishly uncomfortable until you get a couple of drinks in you. Out front, there’s a covered patio just big enough for six smokers to stand without bumping elbows. From the kitchen comes a variety of simple pub dishes, livened up here and there with hints of Indian and Pakistani cuisine.

22 articles

The Brutal Poodle

1967 S. Broadway Central Denver

720-379-6281

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How do poodles and heavy metal mesh? The unlikely combo somehow works at the Brutal Poodle, opened in early 2018 by Wes Moralez, Ryan Oakes and David “Yosh” Yoshikawa, members of Denver band Son Survivor. Beyond the goofy, dog-themed art on the walls and the (just loud enough) tracks pumping from the sound system, good food and a classic sunken bar beckon the faithful. Loaded tots, great green chile and outrageous metal-inspired specials keep bellies full, the better to soak up rounds of unpretentious drinks and Colorado beers. This poodle’s bite is as good as its bark.

7 articles

Bull & Bush Brewery

4700 E. Cherry Creek South Dr., Denver Glendale

303-759-0333

Brewpub, Bars and Clubs, Best Of, DrinkHere

Compared to its centuries-old brethren in the United Kingdom, the Bull & Bush Brewery is just a baby, but here in the New World, fifty-plus years is a long time to stay in business. Step inside this dark and cozy English-style pub, though, and you’ll understand its staying power. Now run by second-generation owners, “the pub you’ve been practicing for” (as the motto goes) serves a long menu of England-meets-Colorado comfort food, like French onion soup, bangers and mash, and green chile-smothered mashed potatoes, as well as both innovative and traditional house-brewed beers. There’s also a Scotch list to warm the cockles of your heart.

57 articles

BurnDown

476 S. Broadway Central Denver

720-899-3827

Modern American, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

Originally constructed in the 1940s, BurnDown's building previously held a furniture store and a year-round Christmas shop. In May 2023, the space was resurrected as a multi-purpose venue, with an expansive first-floor dining room, a second-floor lounge where a small acoustic stage is located, and a third indoor/outdoor level with a rooftop deck and a hell of a view of downtown Denver and the entire Front Range. All levels look into a showstopping three-story atrium in the center of the building, where a fire once left a gaping hole.

4 events 2 articles

Campus Lounge

701 S. University Blvd. South Denver

720-379-5671

Bars and Clubs, Bar, Recommended, Slideshow, DrinkHere

Bonnie Brae is a neighborhood that’s seen a lot of changes in recent years, with the loss of the Bonnie Brae Tavern and the Saucy Noodle, but Campus Lounge remains — even after a number of ownership changes. It was founded by the late Jim Wiste (a retired pro hockey player and DU Pioneers alum) five decades ago, and hockey fans still gather here on game days, drinking beer and enjoying classic bar fare done right, from the smoked wings to a Friday night steak special.

18 articles

Candlelight Tavern

383 S. Pearl St. South Denver

303-778-9530

Bar, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

The Candlelight Tavern is a friendly neighborhood bar, beloved by residents of all stripes in the Wash Park area. Once a seedy, smoky dive, the place has been spruced up over the years, with a notable overhaul in 2013. Consistency and simplicity are key here: You can count on no-frills, tasty pub grub, including one of the best no-frills burgers in town. The warm glow of the Candlelight’s vintage sign still illuminates the way to one of Denver’s oldest and best bars.

11 articles

Carioca Cafe (Bar Bar)

2060 Champa St. Downtown Denver

303-296-1250

Bars and Clubs, Music Venues, Recommended, Best Of, DrinkHere

It’s dirty and grimy and sometimes feels a little dangerous, but that’s all part of the grungy charm of this cash-only dive. Known as Bar Bar thanks to the triangular neon sign outside, the downtown holdout nearly went under when it had to put a pause on live music because of licensing issues in 2022, but now the bands are back — along with the late-night crowds that include an assortment of regulars, artists, hipsters, transients and rockers. The drinks are stiff, the bathrooms awful and the atmosphere beyond compare.

20 articles

The Castle Bar and Grill

6657 S. Broadway Littleton

303-798-5981

Bar, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, DrinkHere

The sunken bar inside this castle-shaped building is one of the friendliest spots for imbibing in metro Denver. The vibe is relaxing and unpretentious, as are the patrons. Snag a twenty-ounce personalized mug for $20, good for a lifetime of twenty-ounce pours for sixteen-ounce prices. The fare is simple but tasty, with budget food specials such as 75-cent wings every Thursday and buy-one-get-one-half-off burgers (among the best in town) on Tuesdays. With karaoke, bingo, trivia and chatty regulars of all stripes, you’ll never be bored when you storm the Castle.

6 articles

Charlie Brown's Piano Bar & Grill

980 Grant St., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-860-1655

American, Music Venues, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of, DrinkHere

Colorful characters from Denver’s past are rumored to have bellied up to the bar at Charlie Brown’s, which has been open since Prohibition ended. A sprawling spot filled with the music of nightly piano sing-alongs, it lives up to its slogan: “Something for everyone.” Couples, friends, tourists, young professionals, senior citizens, college kids and even celebrities enjoy the stiff drinks, huge food menu, enclosed smoking patio and free drinks for revelers celebrating their birthdays. Here’s hoping the drinks will flow long into the future at this Denver landmark.

1 event 21 articles

Charlie's Denver

900 E. Colfax Ave. Central Denver

303-839-8890

Dance Clubs, Bars, Music Venues, Bars and Clubs, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

Sometimes Colfax Avenue is so idiosyncratic that it risks becoming a caricature of itself. For evidence, look no further than Charlie’s, Colfax’s big, gay cowboy bar. Gaze upon the cowboy-boot disco ball that spins and glistens from the ceiling. Don’t miss the translucent machine that blows money (or whatever else) around as dancers — also spinning and glistening — put on a show within. And look to the stage and dance floor for drag queens, bikers and bears, oh, my. Charlie’s truly shines in its inclusiveness.

10 events 34 articles

City Park Tavern

3181 E. 23rd Ave., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

720-865-4396

Cafe, Best Of, DrinkHere

After reopening in 2020 following three years of reconstruction, the City Park Golf Course is one of the hardest tee times to book in Denver — even the driving range can require a wait. But the bar and outdoor patio, still shiny-new and overlooking the golf course and Denver skyline, always has a seat open. Catch a game on one of several TVs, wait for a spot on the course, or yuk it up with fellow golfers who've just finished their rounds. The beer is cheap, the food is fine and the views are prime, which is much more than a nineteenth hole requires — let alone at a municipal course. Hey, even the city can get something right once in a while.

1 article

Cohesion Brewing Co.

3851 Steele St., Unit 1388, Denver Five Points/RiNo

303-997-7016

Breweries and Wineries, Brewery, Best Of, DrinkHere

When this brewery opened in 2021, it brought a special kind of foam on the range. Cohesion brews Czech-style lagers and serves them in a very traditional way: from side-pull Lukr taps, with plenty of creamy foam on top. (The exact amount depends on which style of pour you choose: hladinka, with a thick, creamy head; snyt, with four-finger foam; and the nearly all-foam mlíko.) Plus, the bar itself is striking, with gorgeous tile work serving as a backdrop, and a wood-paneled nook reminiscent of old Europe.

2 articles

Colorado Pinball Pub

6209 S. Santa Fe Dr., Littleton Southwest Denver Suburbs

303-598-4391

Bars, DrinkHere

Pinball isn’t the only draw at this bar that opened in 2020 and is owned by Dan and Holly Nikolich, who started the Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown in 2004. It also puts an emphasis on the “pub” part of its name with an impressive collection of over 200 whiskeys, along with beer, cocktails and fun shots. It regularly hosts events like monthly whiskey tastings, live music and themed trivia nights, as well.

The Cruise Room

1600 17th St., Denver LoDo/Ballpark/Commons Park

303-628-5400

Bars and Clubs, Small Plates, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, DrinkHere

The Oxford Hotel echoes with Denver history, back to the days when Bat Masterson relieved himself in the giant urinals in the basement bathrooms. The Cruise Room boasts slightly more recent history: As Prohibition ended, it was designed to look like the lounge on the Queen Mary (hence the name), then got a quick remodel a decade later when the frieze with Hitler’s face — one of a dozen international toasts circling the walls of the bar — was deemed politically incorrect. In the 1960s, it was the headquarters for a group of carousers known as the Evil Companions; in the ’90s, it was discovered by hipsters. Today you’ll find all kinds of passengers hopping aboard bar stools to bask in the red light and down classic martinis.

19 articles

The Crypt

1618 E. 17th Ave., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

720-542-9543

Bar, Bars, Best Of, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

Metal, mostly meat-free food (along with a damn good meaty burger) and a reverence for death are all on full display at this spot founded by longtime Tooey’s employee Priscilla Jerez and business partners Chris Maynard and Dale Canino in 2022. A destination for live music and late-night revelry, it has a smoking patio out front that’s often filled with people trading stories (and lighters) under the moonlight. Inside, you're highly likely to run into at least a few old friends while grabbing a cocktail from one of two bars.

7 events 5 articles

Locations in Denver: DrinkHere

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