Bars in Denver

5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada

303-690-6269

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

The Arvada Tavern opened in 1933, not long after the repeal of Prohibition, and was issued the first liquor license in Arvada. A dive for decades, the tavern received a facelift in 2013 under new ownership while still holding on to the building’s vintage charm. More upscale now, it serves a variety of vintage cocktails and Colorado beers, and the menu includes comfort eats such as pierogi and schnitzel. Upstairs (through a phone booth with a false back wall) is Bernard's Tiki Room, a hidden tiki bar with live music every Friday and Saturday night.

6 articles

El Toro

4957 Colorado Blvd. North Denver

303-952-1931

Mexican, Bars, Best Of, Sponsor

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

The Local

2731 Iris Ave. Boulder

303-449-4473

Bars and Clubs, Bars, Sponsor

1134 Broadway

1134 Broadway, Denver Golden Triangle/La Alma

303-529-2290

Bars, Dance Clubs

2 events

5 on Lawrence

2020 Lawrence St., Denver LoDo/Ballpark/Commons Park

Bars, Bar, DrinkHere

In late 2023, the owner of Max Market added a sports bar next door, outfitting 5 on Lawrence with plenty of TVs for watching Nuggets, Avs, Broncos, Rapids and Rockies games, plus Arsenal soccer matches. It also has an arcade room so you can distract yourself if a televised game isn't going your way. The menu is always a winner, though, with solid wings, smashburgers and hot dogs at affordable prices.

Ace-Hi Tavern

1216 Washington Ave., Golden Southwest Denver Suburbs

303-279-9043

Bars, Bars and Clubs, Best Of

Since alcohol put Golden on the map, it’s not surprising that one of the area’s best dive bars is located in this town. Bar fans have been living it up at the Ace-Hi since Leo Stillman purchased the old Opera House restaurant on historic Washington Avenue and opened the bar back in 1961. Leo’s son, Sid Stillman, eventually took over, and today it’s run by Leo’s grandson, Mike Stillman. The Ace-Hi is still a place where workers getting off their shifts at Coors Brewing plop themselves next to Colorado School of Mines students recovering from a tough day of classes.

4 articles

Adrift

218 S. Broadway South Denver

720-784-8111

Polynesian, Bars, Best Of, DrinkHere

Between the ’60s and the ’80s, Denver had a fairly vital tiki scene, thanks to Trader Vic’s and Don the Beachcomber. But after that, the city’s tiki action was largely extinguished — until Adrift turned a 2,200-square-foot space into an island retreat in 2012. While a few other tiki spots have opened since then, Adrift’s dedication to Polynesian kitsch has never waned. Paying homage to the thatch-roofed hooch huts of yore, it specializes in modern and classic tiki cocktails as well as Prohibition-era tropical drinks and tasty tropical tidbits.

38 articles

The Alibi

121 S. Fir St., Telluride Mountains

970-729-8930

Bars, Bars and Clubs, Music Venues

Atomic Cowboy/Denver Biscuit Co./Fat Sully's

3237 E. Colfax Ave., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-377-7900

Pizza, Breakfast/Brunch, Bars, Recommended, Best Of, Menu, Slideshow, Readers' Choice

From its early days as an East Colfax hipster bar to its current configuration of breakfast joint, pizzeria and retro-swank watering hole, Atomic Cowboy/Denver Biscuit Co./Fat Sully’s Pizza has evolved into one of Denver’s most gleefully indulgent stops for wallowing in comfort food and whiling away hours with friends. Not content to cater just to Colfax carousers, the chain has expanded into Baker, Berkeley, Centennial and Aurora, so that carb cravers are never far from the Franklin (a hot mess of fried chicken, bacon, cheddar and sausage gravy on a cat-head biscuit) or a floppy slab of New York-style pizza.

15 articles

Bannock Street Garage

1015 Bannock St., Denver Golden Triangle/La Alma

303-534-7000

Bars and Clubs, Bars, Best Of, Slideshow, DrinkHere

In 2004, this former Volkswagen shop was refitted as a bar with a massive garage door at the front, cement floors and a large, open patio. Since then, its divey vibes have made it a neighborhood favorite where crowds gather for First Friday. Whether you shoot a game of pool or play darts, or just settle in at the bar or a heated table out back for a bucket of Montuckys, this is the kind of low-key standby where you’ll quickly become a regular.

10 articles

Bar Max

2412 E. Colfax Ave., Denver Capitol Hill/Uptown/City Park

303-333-0003

Bars, Best Of, DrinkHere

Max Hopewell-Arizmendi and Yuki Koyama founded Cafe Max in 2013 and transitioned the airy, European-flavored bistro to Bar Max in 2016. Now owner Marshall Smith is behind the bar, and the Denver native is offering a rainbow of possibilities that allow guests to design the custom cocktail of their wildest dreams. The Flavor Wheel and Flavor Deck help spark the imagination, introducing guests to Bar Max’s massive inventory of rare and esoteric spirits while allowing them to remove ingredients or taste profiles that they find unappealing.

16 articles

Barker Lounge

475 Santa Fe Dr. Central Denver

303-778-0545

English, Irish, Bars and Clubs, Gay Bars and Clubs

A self-proclaimed "stray bar," the Barker Lounge attracts a wide variety of patrons -- even if the disco balls hanging from the ceiling and Madonna tunes blaring from the jukebox suggest otherwise. The humble interior at 475 Santa Fe Drive (where it moved in 2012) is similar to that of its old South Broadway location: clean and inviting, with a friendly staff to go along with it. Drink specials and happy hours are similar, as well, and as hinted at in the bar's name, dogs are as welcome as humans here.

9 articles

Bedlam

1516 Wazee St., Denver LoDo/Ballpark/Commons Park

303-975-6785

Bars, Bar, DrinkHere

Longtime industry pro Jacob Berndt debuted his first solo venture in May 2024 inside the long, narrow downtown space that was home to Deep Roots Winery & Bistro before sitting empty for four years. With the help of his siblings, Berndt has transformed the space with art and knickknacks that give it the vibe of a well-worn neighborhood watering hole. A small food menu of upscale bar bites pairs perfectly with Bedlam’s decidedly not-crazy mix of high-end spirits, simple yet satisfying cocktails and low-bar, budget-friendly options.

1 article

Belleview Beer Garden

6791 E. Chenango Ave. Denver Tech Center

Bars, Bars and Clubs, Breweries and Wineries

Beers just taste better on a patio. And way, waaay better when they’re local!

Belleview Beer Garden is brought to you by the love of all things Colorado - celebrating the outdoors, craft brews and community. Located in the heart of Denver Tech Center at the ever-growing Belleview Station, we’re home to South Denver’s sunniest, most dog-friendly patio (no, really - we’re right next to Belleview Station Dog Park!).

Gather with friends and sip on Colorado drafts and canned cocktails, and join us for trivia, regular live music, outdoor fitness classes and more each week!

Bounce Empire

1380 S. Public Rd. Lafayette

720-791-2600

Attractions and Amusement Parks, Performing Arts Venues, Bars

Catbird Hotel

3770 Walnut St, Denver Five Points/RiNo

720-990-5555

Hotels and Resorts, Bars, Bars and Clubs

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

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

Cleats Bar & Grill

6624 Delmonico Dr, Colorado Springs Southern Colorado

Bars

Clove Pizzeria & Tap

2222 Bruce Randolph Ave. North Denver

303-379-9369

Pizza, Wings, Salads, Bars

Club Q

3430 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs Southern Colorado

719-570-1429

Dance Clubs, Bars

One of the main gay bars in Colorado Springs, Club Q has been going strong since 2003 with weekly dance nights, drag shows and karaoke nights. Hidden behind a strip mall in the northeastern part of the city, the place may be a little hard to find at first, but your search will be rewarded: Club Q, which is also straight-friendly, is relatively laid-back and drama-free.

Colorado Pinball Pub

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

303-598-4391

Bars

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, Bars, Critics' Pick, Best Of, Slideshow, DrinkHere

As Prohibition ended, this bar inside the Oxford Hotel 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 — 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.

2 events 5 articles

Death & Co

1280 25th St., Denver Five Points/RiNo

720-330-2660

Modern American, Bars, Hotels and Resorts, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow, Readers' Choice, DrinkHere

This NYC-based cocktail institution debuted its second outpost inside the Ramble Hotel in 2018 with a trio of spaces, each of which offers a slightly different experience but equally impressive craft libations. There’s the opulent lobby bar, a second-floor lounge dubbed Suite 6A, and an outdoor space called the Garden, which is open seasonally and lit by a sign that says “Wish You Were Here,” an appropriate sentiment for this envy-inducing escape in RiNo.

14 articles

Deca + Bol

141 E. Meadow Dr., #113, Vail Mountains

970-476-5300

Bars, Dance Clubs, Restaurants

A Vail nightlife and entertainment hotspot

The Delorean

1753 S. Broadway Southwest Denver

Bars, DrinkHere

Well-known indie club promoters Scott Happel and Peter Ore created a totally tubular ’80s time capsule when they opened the Delorean in August 2024. The space is decked out with blown-up replicas of ’80s album covers and neon Pac-Men munching across the walls. Under the bar glass are pages ripped from 1980s music magazines, stickers, trading cards and other ephemera of the period. Munch on pizza rolls while sipping signature cocktails like the Do Not Drink After Midnight served in a Gizmo mug, all while listening to a soundtrack of new-wave throwbacks.

The Denver Eagle

1475 36th St. Downtown Denver

303-291-0250

Bars and Clubs, Gay Bars and Clubs

The Denver Eagle is a massive club inside an old warehouse space just north of LoDo. Opened in May 2006, the venue regularly hosts special events, including underwear parties, foam Fridays and Black-Eyed Balls; Broncos games and DJs, as well as drink deals, are prominently featured on the regular schedule. The handle on the front door gives a good clue to the gay leather-bar nature of the Eagle, whose atmosphere is best experienced on the large patio with ample stadium seating.

3 articles

Denver Sweet

776 Lincoln St. Central Denver

720-598-5648

Bars, Bars and Clubs, Dance Clubs

The Denver Wrangler

3090 Downing St. Central Denver

303-837-1075

Bars and Clubs, Bars, Menu, Slideshow

In the gay community, big, hairy guys are sometimes referred to as "bears." While the Denver Wrangler is one of the city's main bear haunts (and you're bound to see quite a few, some in leather and some wearing Western wear) the place attracts a lot of other guys, especially on the weekends and during its legendary Sunday beer busts, which feature all-you-can-drink Bud Lights from 4 to 8 p.m. The Wrangler's game room has dartboards, arcade games and pool tables, and DJs spin on Saturdays, with rotating themes including high-energy bear dance parties on the second and fourth Saturday of the month. The party spills out onto the outdoor patio during warmer months. In August 2016, the Wrangler moved from Uptown to a new home in Five Points.

12 articles

Desert Social

1312 S. Broadway South Denver

303-282-1312

Bars

The family behind Adelitas and Ni Tuyo introduced Desert Social in the summer of 2023, bringing Joshua Tree vibes to South Broadway. You won’t go thirsty at this sophisticated spot with a warm, welcoming atmosphere: The bar is pouring a variety of appealing cocktails, including its take on the retro favorite espresso martini and a Blonde Negroni made with prickly pear and orange-blossom gin.

Devil's Craft - Kitchen | Bar | Stage

63 Cooper Creek Way, Suite 133, Winter Park Mountains

970-363-7276

Bars, Bars and Clubs, Music Venues

KITCHEN OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT
Home to Winter Park's only LATENIGHT kitchen. We know your cravings aren't on a schedule so we serve our FULL MENU 'til Midnight!

BAR OPEN UNTIL 1:00AM
The party never ends early! Our bar has a great selection of beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails and we serve them LATE!

LIVE MUSIC, COMEDY, KARAOKE, & MORE
We do LOVE some live music, but we don't like to limit ourselves. Check out our calendar for a wide range of awesome upcoming shows!

The Devil's Drink

3330 Mariposa St., Denver Highland/Lower Highland

720-233-3169

Bars, DrinkHere

When Rock N Lobster Roll founder Andrew Harris and bar maven Alisha Taylor opened the Devil’s Drink in a small space below the 25-room Kasa Comma hotel in LoHi, they described it as an "underworld speakeasy" with dark, moody vibes, red lighting and devilish design touches. If you’re ready to dance with the devil in the pale moonlight, do it here with a cocktail or craft beer in hand.

Dive Inn

1380 S. Broadway South Denver

720-242-6157

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

Dive Inn has made its mark since taking over the BJ’s Carousel space in 2012. The decor — which includes an actual motorboat for seating — adds to the upbeat spirit of this Platt Park neighborhood joint. In recent years, the outdoor area has been expanded with more nautical touches and games — but the some dive-like prices and vibes we've loved for over a decade.

8 articles

Bars in Denver

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