Union Station

Tavernetta

1889 16th Street Mall │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Tavernetta Facebook

Tavernetta, one of Denver’s most romantic restaurants, is located just across from the Union Station train tracks. Expect classic cocktails with an Italian twist, like its refreshing Brachetto spritz and citrusy paloma made with Cappelletti Aperitivo. Beverages pair beautifully with its food menu which comprises handmade pastas, pan-seared ​​branzino, and delicious small plates. Join us on our Cocktail Tasting Tour to best experience this upscale eatery. 

The Cooper Lounge

1701 Wynkoop Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: The Cooper Lounge Facebook

The Cooper Lounge is perched above Union Station’s Great Hall, separate from the crowds but within the same historic ambiance. Marble counters and mid-century details create a sophisticated aesthetic where you can sip classic cocktails in style. Signature beverages add to the menu, as do fancy plates of foie gras mousse, beef tartare, and oysters on the half shell. 

Note that The Cooper Lounge is currently closed for renovations and will re-open this summer.

Ultreia

1701 Wynkoop Street #125 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Ultreia Facebook

Ultreia is one of several Union Station restaurants, which we highly recommend for its Spanish and Portuguese fare. Pair paellas and pintxos like bacon-wrapped dates and croquetas de jamón with your choice of gin and tonic. Its sherry flight is another favorite, especially when served with dessert. Our Downtown Food Tour stops here for pastel de nata, a traditional custard tart that beautifully ends any meal.

Ghost Donkey

1750 Wewatta Street #140 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Ghost Donkey Facebook

After Imbibe named its original New York location the “best cocktail bar” of 2020, Ghost Donkey quickly expanded and now has five outposts with three more slated to open this year. With a trippy aesthetic dripping in neon, the Denver bar starkly contrasts the minimalist condo building in which it resides. Leave the corporate world at the door and dive into loaded nachos, funky mushroom margaritas, and a selection of flavorful mezcals at this lively lounge.

The Wild

1660 Wynkoop Street #100 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: The Wild Facebook

Hidden just off Wynkoop, The Wild is one of our favorite Denver bars around Union Station. This gem has a bright and minimalist interior, plus a quiet, shaded patio that’s lovely in the summer. Settle in at happy hour and order craft cocktails with snacks like sardines and olive tapenade served on a French baguette. Morning is another ideal time to visit, as this bar offers mimosas, bloody Marys, and breakfast plates through 2 pm.

Cruise Room

1600 17th Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Cruise Room Facebook

Cruise Room is the city’s longest-running bar, open since the day after prohibition’s repeal in 1933. The wine bottle-shaped lounge is set within The Oxford Hotel and is said to be haunted by the spirit of a postman. He orders a beer and drinks it down — but after he leaves, bartenders are surprised to see the glass is still full. Take a seat for your chance at a ghostly encounter and if anything, a guaranteed damn good martini.

Urban Farmer

1659 Wazee Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Urban Farmer Facebook

Urban Farmer, a modern chophouse with locally sourced fare, is also located inside The Oxford Hotel. We stop here on our Cocktail Tasting Tour, as the upscale eatery makes our favorite old fashioned in the city. It combines a butter pecan-washed, high rye bourbon with the burnt caramel and orange zest flavors of Amaro Nonino. The rich and smooth result is absolute perfection.

Dairy Block

Deviation Distilling

1821 Blake Street #130 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Deviation Distilling Facebook

Don’t miss Deviation Distilling when visiting the trendy Dairy Block micro-district. Its creative spirits include coffee-infused whiskeys, exotic gins featuring seasonal botanicals, and a Zinfin bourbon made in collaboration with one of Denver’s wineries. Order these as a flight or in the form of complex cocktails — like the chai old fashioned, a personal favorite. The tasting room interior is warm and welcoming, but we recommend taking a seat near its outdoor fire pits.

Seven Grand

1855 Blake Street #160 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Seven Grand Facebook

Seven Grand is another Dairy Block mainstay with a moody, sophisticated interior. It takes cues from Wild West bars, having taxidermy mounts, billiards tables, and a tidy wall of over seven hundred whiskey labels. Chat with its knowledgeable staff to better understand your options, which appear in various old fashioneds, highballs, and its signature Gentleman’s Buck — a blend of bourbon, bitters, house ginger beer, and OJ that costs just $10 during happy hour.

Poka Lola Social Club

 1850 Wazee Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Poka Lola Social Club Facebook

Found within the Maven Hotel lobby, Poka Lola Social Club combines Art Deco sophistication with the charm of an old-fashioned soda shop. The eclectic interior is as creative as its seasonal drink menu, which features funky cocktails on “psychedelic Sundays” and rotating holiday specials. On our Cocktail Tasting Tour, we sample a signature beverage and its juicy barbecue pork sliders — which we highly recommend.

Run For The Roses

1801 Blake Street #10 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Run For The Roses Facebook

Several Denver cocktail bars take inspiration from old-time speakeasies, including Run for the Roses. Elegant and intimate, this underground lounge feels like a step back in time — but its menu is modern and uniquely written on a deck of playing cards. Treat yourself to caviar service and craft libations, many of which feature rare and vintage spirits.

BRUTØ

1801 Blake Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: BRUTØ Facebook

When it comes to special occasions, BRUTØ is one of our top-recommended Denver restaurants. Book reservations to experience executive chef Byron Gomez’s counter, which is limited to eighteen seats. The prix fixe menu at this Michelin-starred eatery can be paired with several craft cocktails, as well as wine and zero-proof beverages. 

Ballpark

Viewhouse

2015 Market Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Viewhouse Facebook

Without question, Viewhouse is one of the best things to do around Coors Field. This massive multi-level eatery features indoor and outdoor spaces, complete with a dance floor, lawn games, and multiple screens that reliably broadcast your favorite sports. Few bars near the ballpark are as busy on Rockies’ game days and in general, you can expect a rowdy, fun-loving crowd. Visit for weekend brunch, late-night bites, and pub fare any time in between.

Star Bar

2137 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $

Photo: Star Bar Instagram

While newer, trendier bars have popped up all over the Ballpark District, this enduring dive bar has maintained its authentic appeal. Open since 1959, Star Bar is loved for its extensive selection of whiskeys and craft beers, along with its cheap prices. Come late and stay later, especially on Tuesday and Thursday nights when karaoke keeps patrons partying ‘til the early morning hours.

Cherry Cricket

2220 Blake Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Cherry Cricket Facebook

Founded in 1945, Cherry Cricket is another long-time Denver classic and one of our go-to bars in LoDo. Build your own burger or order one of its award-winning creations, like its half-pound signature patty topped with white cheddar, chile relleno, and the city’s best pork green chile — which we sample on our Downtown Food Tour. This burger bar also offers a lengthy list of Front Range beers, along with craft cocktails and boozy milkshakes.

BOOK A DOWNTOWN FOOD TOUR

Wonderyard Garden + Table

2200 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Wonderyard Facebook

This Ballpark newcomer is from the same restaurant group as Yardhouse and similarly, it knows how to attract an audience. Wonderyard Garden + Table is an influencer’s paradise with fanciful, photo-worthy backdrops. The food and drinks are equally as Instagrammable. Think orchid-garnished plates, a large-format sparkling cocktail served in a glass purse, and a cotton candy cloud suspended over pink lemonade vodka.

Attimo Wine

2246 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Attimo Wine Facebook

After much success with Snooze, one of our favorite brunch spots in Denver, local restaurateur Jon Schlegel lived in the Piedmont region of Italy. While abroad, he learned the art of winemaking and connected with local vineyard owners to later open Attimo. A tasting room is connected to the urban winery, which serves Northern Italian wine varieties and flavorful spritzes, among other craft cocktails.

La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal

2233 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: La Diabla Facebook

La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal is a celebration of Mexican culture and flavors. Nationally recognized and frequently awarded, this colorful eatery was the first in the city to specialize in pozole. Several varieties appear on the food menu, which also includes tacos, ceviche, and esquites con tuétano — a popular street corn dish made with bone marrow. Pair these plates with mezcal and other Mexican spirits, which are available as flights and flavorful cocktails.

Great Divide Brewing Co

2201 Arapahoe Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Great Divide Instagram

Established in 1994, Great Divide Brewing Co is one of the city’s craft beer pioneers. Visit its original Ballpark taproom to peer into its active production floor, or book a brewery tour for a closer look at its process. While better known for its craft brews, like the Yeti imperial stout and strawberry rhubarb sour ale, it recently launched a hard seltzer brand known as Whitewater. Order its tasty mango-ginger flavor on tap or pick up a case of its cocktail-inspired series.

RiNo / Five Points

Yacht Club

3701 North Williams Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Yacht Club Instagram

From cocktail connoisseurs to dive bar regulars, Yacht Club caters to all. This trendy bar offers an extensive list of natural wines that appear in its Champagne mojito and other coastal-inspired cocktails. If you’re feeling hungry, order the Old Number 7-11: a Jack and Coke served with a hot dog made by local butcher River Bear Meats. The caviar glizzy topped with crème fraiche, pickled shallot, and tater chips comes highly recommended.

Death & Co

1280 25th Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Death & Co Facebook

Death & Co is more than one of the top Denver cocktail bars — it’s frequently recognized as one of the best in the world. Its stylish outpost within The Ramble Hotel features a curated drink menu with options categorized by style and flavor. Opt for something light and playful; rich and comforting; or perhaps elegant and timeless. Zero-proof beverages, small plates, and full entrées like steak frites and buttermilk fried chicken round out the selection.

Gold Point

3126 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Gold Point Facebook

With modern furnishings and craft cocktails, Gold Point elevates the traditional dive bar atmosphere but maintains itself as fun and approachable. Pop in daily from open to 8 pm for great specials like its $7 house tonic poured with your preferred spirit. The “happy meal” is another killer deal: $7 for a beer and a shot, with choices including Paddy’s and Jim Beam. Whiskey lovers, take note as Gold Point has a lengthy list of labels.

Curio Bar

2669 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Denver Central Market Facebook

Curio is located within Denver Central Market, one of our favorite things to do in RiNo. This buzzy bar offers an extensive list of classic and signature cocktails, plus wines by the glass and local beers on tap. Enjoy a margarita with citrusy ceviche from Tammen’s Fish Market, one of several neighboring vendors; or pair a glass of wine with a pizza from Vero’s, which we visit on our RiNo Food Tour.

The Block Distilling Co.

2990 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: The Block Distilling Co. Facebook

The Block Distilling Co. is more than an expert at creating spirits — it knows how to make them shine in each of its craft cocktails. Sample its G&T made with seasonal gin or its rich espresso martini featuring in-house coffee liqueur. A rotating drink selection keeps things fresh and even a bit funky with the use of unique ingredients like ube and Thai tea. For a behind-the-scenes look at one of our favorite Denver cocktail bars, book one of its Saturday distillery tours.

Barcelona Wine Bar

2900 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Barcelona Wine Bar Facebook

In addition to pages of wine options, Barcelona Wine Bar offers fantastic cocktails — namely, gin and tonics which pair deliciously with an assortment of Spanish tapas. Between each sip, savor bites of whipped sheep’s cheese, bacon-wrapped dates, and seafood paella. Few Denver wine bars can compete with its warm, rustic ambiance; and on a summer evening, nothing beats dining al fresco on its patio.

Nocturne

1330 27th Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Nocturne Facebook

Nocturne hosts live jazz performances every Wednesday through Sunday evening, and it’s one of our favorite restaurants in RiNo. Get dressed up for the full dinner experience featuring three New American courses or simply drop in for a cocktail. The drink menu includes classics, seasonal beverages, zero-proof options, and splurge-worthy “platinum edition” cocktails that are perfect for special occasions.

Finn’s Manor

2927 Larimer Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Finn’s Manor Instagram

Few Denver cocktail bars match the variety at Finn’s Manor. Behind the counter lie more than four hundred whiskeys and nearly three hundred rum labels and agave spirits. Mezcal became a staff favorite after a company trip to Oaxaca, Mexico and its Children of the Maize cocktail is fantastic. The bar team also recommends pairing a mezcal shot with a Stiegl grapefruit radler or Cerveza Clara Y Mas Fina Especial made with heirloom Oaxacan corn.

Welton Room

2590 Welton Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Welton Room Facebook

All of Welton Room’s menus are worth experiencing. Visit for weekend brunch to savor lemon ricotta pancakes with a gin-based raspberry beret. Mediterranean hour, inspired by regional cocktails, is not to be missed — nor is martini hour. Enjoy classic and unique takes like the prickly pear martini, along with fancy chef bites including duck croquettes and P.E.I. mussels. Modern tapas make up the dinner menu, as do signature cocktails like its cotton candy mojito.

Highlands

The Family Jones Spirit House

3245 Osage Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: The Family Jones Instagram

So many Denver cocktail bars create incredible menus. But face it, sampling every option would be a hangover disaster. Cue The Family Jones Spirit House, which offers small-pour flights of its ready-made cocktails. These include the rock and rye, smoked old fashioned, cosmopolitan, and Earl Grey negroni — a personal favorite. Full-size cocktails featuring other house spirits are also available, as are small plates and tours of the distillery.

Lady Jane

2021 West 32nd Avenue │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Lady Jane Facebook

This neighborhood gem comes from the same group as The Wild in Union Station and Hudson Hill in Capitol Hill. All these Denver cocktail bars are stellar, but what we especially love about Lady Jane is its atmosphere. Tunes from its vinyl record collection fill the chic, yet cozy space. Get comfortable with one of several signature drinks — with or without booze, they’re all delish and beautifully presented.

Williams & Graham

 3160 Tejon Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Williams & Graham Instagram

Williams & Graham is a beloved prohibition-era speakeasy that passersby may mistake for a small bookstore. But step past the entry’s bookcase door and discover a massive mahogany bar stocked with over five hundred spirits. These act as the base for more than sixty classic cocktails, which pair well with a curated food menu featuring mac n’ cheese, roasted bone marrow, and burgers made with Wagyu beef.

Little Raven

Room for Milly

1615 Platte Street #145 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Room for Milly Facebook

Room for Milly is feminine and sophisticated — whimsical, yet cohesive. Art decorates the walls and niches, all vibrantly painted in jewel tones. Take in the ambiance while sipping one of several spritzes, like its Sunnyside made with St-Germain or ​​Antigua featuring strawberry-infused Aperol. Travels made by Milly Parker, the late matriarch of the owners’ family, inspired other cocktails that spotlight several global ingredients.

The Broken Cage

2420 17th Street #103 │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: The Broken Cage Facebook

When the weather is dreary and you’re looking for winter activities in Denver, visit The Broken Cage. Though a lovely oasis any day, this bar is sure to reset your mood. Lush pothos vines hang above the bar, and tables are decorated with more house plants to create a cheerful aesthetic. Its signature cocktails are just as uplifting with options like its ice wine martini and divine aviation made with butterfly pea flower tea.

16th Street

Union Lodge No.1

1543 Champa Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Union Lodge No.1 Facebook

Few Denver cocktail bars match the creativity of Union Lodge No.1. Expect classic cocktails like its sazerac and bijou, both recipes written prior to prohibition; along with signature drinks that take cues from the era. These include its absinthe cocktail made with house lemon-rhubarb bitters and green chartreuse; as well as its Red, White & Blue Blazer — a rum, bourbon, and applejack brandy blend that’s set to fire, then rolled back and forth between two shaker tins.

Reynard Social

1616 Market Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Reynard Social Facebook

From Denver date nights to schmoozing clients, Reynard Social is sure to impress. This swanky sixth-floor lounge is located within Thompson Denver, an upscale Hyatt hotel. Expect indoor and outdoor spaces, each decorated with modern furnishings and luxe details. At the bar, you’ll find a range of refined cocktails and curated bites like crispy Brussels, charred shrimp kebabs, and salmon tartare.

Hell or High Water Tiki Bar

1526 Blake Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Hell or High Water Facebook

Dubbed the “unholy trinity” of Denver cocktail bars, sister concepts Hell or High Water, Honor Farm, and The Electric Cure in Sloan’s Lake each have their own theme — with a haunted pirate ship inspiring this outpost.

Sip on rum-based tiki cocktails and mezcal creations with a tropical twist. Many are served in over-the-top mugs which may or may not be phallic in shape. Pause before taking your Christian parents here, but don’t think twice about ordering from Samosa Shop, which serves Indian street food on-site.

Honor Farm, Haunted Spirit House

1526 Blake Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $

Photo: Honor Farm website

Honor Farm claims to reside in “the oldest and most haunted building in Denver” and appropriately, it leans into a haunted house theme. An illustrated drink menu depicts its Deathamphetamine espresso martini and Jalpeño Handjob marg served with a Hot Cheeto rim, among other creative cocktails with a dark sense of humor. Samosa Shop also serves its Indian-inspired fare at this location.

Sloan’s Lake

The Electric Cure

5350 West 25th Avenue, Edgewater │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: The Electric Cure Instagram

With a satanic tiki bar theme, The Electric Cure rounds out the unhinged absurdity of this group. Upside-down crosses and pentagrams add to the decor, which is illuminated by neon signs and multi-colored strings of twinkling lights. Rum-soaked cocktails include Holy Water Hooch and Samuel Alito’s Mom’s Satanic Abortion Clinic. For the full experience, pop in during its “creature feature” happy hour hosted every Friday at midnight.

Capitol Hill

Retrograde

530 East 19th Avenue │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Retrograde Facebook

Inside Sweet Action ice cream shop, you’ll find a freezer door that leads into Retrograde, one of our favorite Denver cocktail bars. This intimate, dimly-lit speakeasy serves up creative cocktails, each named after B movies like Mutant Hunt and My Alien Girlfriend. These offbeat sci-fi films are often projected on the wall adjacent to the sculpted bar, which gives the space a funky, futuristic feel. 

Hudson Hill

619 East 13th Avenue │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Hudson Hill Facebook

Like its sister concepts The Wild in Union Station and Lady Jane in the Highlands, this bar has an unbeatable ambiance. Lush plants and natural light fill the inviting space. Hudson Hill is both a coffee shop and cocktail bar, allowing you to seamlessly transition from remote work to one of the best happy hours in Denver. Sip on signature cocktails and snack on an unbelievably good grilled cheese sandwich made with Shropshire, parmesan, cherry jam, and a schmear of dijon.

South Broadway

Adrift

218 South Broadway │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Adrift Facebook

Head to South Broadway and escape to a party-centric paradise. Adrift offers island-style drinks soaked in rum and served in tiki mugs, as well as large-format punch bowls that get up to eight people tipsy. Pair these tropical beverages with Polynesian-inspired plates like its poke nachos and spam musubi drizzled in pineapple teriyaki.

Congress Park

Middleman

3401 East Colfax Avenue │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Middleman website

Several other restaurants and Denver cocktail bars are in close proximity to Middleman, but this East Colfax mainstay is one that stands out. The industrial hangout has an incredible drink program with memorable signatures and cheap old fashioneds during happy hour. For many years, Misfit Snack Bar operated out of its kitchen and now, the bar will host a rotation of chefs on the rise. Expect East Coast flavors from Rock N Lobster Roll the next few months.

Bar Max

2412 East Colfax Avenue │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Bar Max Instagram

Intimate and modern with bright pops of color, Bar Max feels as though you’ve stepped foot into a cool Copenhagen apartment. The cocktail menu is equally as hip and easy to navigate with beverages organized by flavor and style. Order a saucy cucumber caper martini or sweet Sakura made with two of the bar’s signatures: gin and Japanese spirits. Custom cocktails are also available, as are fabulous mocktails, organic wines, and curated bites.

Cherry Creek

Ay Papi

248 Detroit Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$

Photo: Ay Papi website

Upscale cocktail bar Ay Papi is perfectly situated in the swanky Cherry Creek neighborhood. A large skylight illuminates the space, which takes cues from Caribbean interiors. Similarly, the menu is inspired by the cultures of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Miami — in other words, rum-based cocktails are the star of the show. Sip on its mai tai, tropical mojito, or blended banana daiquiri, and don’t skip out on food. The guava cheese dip and pineapple Cubano are delicious choices.

Forget Me Not

227 Clayton Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: Forget Me Not Facebook

Forget Me Not comes from the same hospitality group as Ay Papi and like its sister concept, it’s simply stunning. This cocktail bar is the place to see and be seen in Cherry Creek. Settle into plush seating or on its outdoor patio, where guests enjoy Wagyu steak tartare, salmon crudo, and caviar service alongside creative house cocktails. Favorites include its Toki old fashioned and refreshing tequila-based La Piña, which is also available as a large-format beverage.

B&GC

249 Columbine Street │ Bar Website │ Menu │ Price: $$$

Photo: B&GC Instagram

B&GC is set within the stylish Halcyon hotel, but you wouldn’t know it when walking through its lobby doors. Rather, this speakeasy is accessed through a side entrance and down a service elevator. It’s truly a hidden gem with a glamorous mid-century aesthetic and top-notch menu. Expect elevated house cocktails, rotating seasonals, and fancy snacks like bacon-wrapped dates and fresh-shucked oysters.