The Best Classic Denver Bars

Watering holes that have stood the test of time.

Candlelight Tavern
Washington Park West
383 South Pearl Street
This friendly neighborhood bar is beloved by residents of all stripes in the Wash Park area. Once a seedy, smoky dive, it’s been spruced up over the years – but consistency and simplicity are key.  You can count on no-frills, tasty pub grub, including a great basic bar burger. The warm glow of the Candlelight’s vintage sign still illuminates the way to one of Denver’s oldest and best bars.

The Castle
Littleton
6657 South Broadway
The Castle rules in the south suburbs. Yes, the building even looks like a castle, and the sunken bar is sided by comfy chairs that make for a royally fun day or night of imbibing. The vibe is relaxing and unpretentious, as are the patrons. Snag a twenty-ounce personalized mug for $20, good for a lifetime of 20-ounce pours for 16-ounce prices. The fare is simple but tasty, with budget specials such as ten wings for $10 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.

Charlie Brown’s Piano Bar & Grill
Capitol Hill
980 Grant Street
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 with 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 patio and free drinks for revelers celebrating their birthdays. 

Cruise Room
Union Station
1600 17th Street
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 barstools to bask in the red light and down classic cocktails like martinis and Manhattans. 

Don’s Club Tavern
Speer
723 East Sixth Avenue
Also known as Don’s Mixed Drinks (because of the wording on the old-school neon sign outside), this dive that’s nearing eighty years old has some serious staying power. Purchased by local bar conglomerate Little Pub Company in 2006, Don’s has retained a welcoming “old man’s basement” atmosphere. The secluded smoking patio and Skee-Ball machine are highlights, as is the vending machine dispensing fun packs of goodies such as condoms, burritos, cigarettes and candy. The bar caters to old-timers during the day and is a packed hangout for the younger set at night. 

Lakeview Lounge
Edgewater
2375 Sheridan Boulevard
While the patio outside the Lakeview Lounge has a prime view of Sloan’s Lake, Sheridan Boulevard and the Denver skyline, those who love authentic dives will be more captivated by the view inside. The Lakeview is a weathered, classic saloon that time forgot. Clearly a drinker’s haven in an increasingly upscale area, the dimly lit lounge serves mystery shots in brown paper bags and very stiff, cheap drinks. Regulars throw quips, dice and dollar bills at each other, taking a break to plug the excellent jukebox. For those wanting booze for breakfast, the bar opens at 7 a.m. 

Lions Lair Lounge
Capitol Hill
2022 East Colfax Avenue
This address has long housed an independent venue — the Aladdin Tavern in the ’30s, then the Playboy Lounge until Hugh Hefner paid its then-owner $5,000 to change the name. In 1967, the club was purchased by John Lyons, who transformed it into the Lion’s Lair, and its current owners are keeping the bar’s legacy alive. Despite struggles during the BRT construction project, the Lair is still one of the best places in town to sip cheap drinks and see live music. This is a living piece of Colfax history that we hope never changes. 

My Brother’s Bar
Highland
2376 15th Street
Yes, My Brother’s Bar has a fascinating history: The building has housed a bar since the 1870s; Beat inspiration Neal Cassady hung out here when it was Paul’s Place; and as My Brother’s Bar, it’s survived with no TVs while playing classical music and serving as a neighborhood joint for the whole city. But the most interesting chapter is the current one: After four decades, a longtime employee and her family bought the place from owner Jim Karagas in 2017, vowing to keep My Brother’s Bar going. And the Newmans have, without sacrificing any of that historic charm — or changing the condiment caddies that accompany the beloved parchment-wrapped burgers. 

Pete’s Satire Lounge
Capitol Hill
1920 East Colfax Avenue
Pete Contos, the late Greek restaurant magnate, purchased the Satire over sixty years ago. From its classic neon sign to its legendary history (Bob Dylan and the Smothers Brothers both performed here), this spot is old Denver through and through, even following a recent update and remodel headed up by Contos’s grandson Alex Barakos that includes a game room and revamped patio, from which you can watch the action on Colfax. The Satire is a straight-ahead saloon that doesn’t put on airs or follow trends, and the off-kilter assortment of characters who work and drink here wouldn’t have it any other way. 

PS Lounge
Congress Park
3416 East Colfax Avenue
The PS Lounge is a throwback like no other. The cash-only bar still looks and feels straight out of the ’80s, which is when it opened. Owner Pete Siahamis calls it a “girls’ bar” and makes sure every woman who crosses the threshold gets a single rose and a syrupy-sweet Alabama Slammer shot. Stop in to pre-game before a show at the Bluebird, or to shoot a game of pool, or to play all your favorites from the old-school jukebox, and if you have one too many shots, you can even things out with a pie from Enzo’s on Colfax, which replaced the former long-running Enzo’s in the connected space next door in March 2025.

The Thin Man
City Park
2015 East 17th Avenue
The Thin Man emanates a strong gravitational pull from its location on a darkened string of blocks between Colfax, Uptown and City Park, drawing in drinkers from near and far. Owner Eric Alstad, who is Greek Orthodox, got his priest’s blessing before opening the joint in 2001, covering the walls of the narrow space with Christian icons. These days, the patrons are as eclectic as the decor — and just as entertaining. Praise Jesus! 

Neighborhood Bar Favorites in Denver

The comforting go-tos that always deliver a good time.

Aspen Lodge Bar & Grill
Westminster
8125 West 94th Avenue
What do lava lamps, Christmas trees and Iron Maiden have in common? Mesut Cetin, the amiable owner and chef of Aspen Lodge, loves them all, which is why his Westminster joint is packed with an impressive collection of retro lights, year-round holiday decor and odes to metal. His other passion: sharing food from his native Turkey, which he serves alongside typical bar fare and “the best Philly cheesesteak in 666 miles radius,” as the sign out front proclaims.

Bedlam
LoDo
1516 Wazee Street
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 transformed the space with art and knick-knacks 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. 

The Crypt
City Park
1618 East 17th Avenue
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. 

Embassy Tavern
RiNo
3463 Larimer Street
This bar on a prime corner spot in RiNo is in a building that started life a century ago as a drugstore, then housed various incarnations before it became Phil’s Place in 2002. In 2018, it was taken over by a group of bar pros who changed the name but kept its spirit intact, offering a low-key respite from the increasingly trendy neighborhood outside, complete with pinball machines, a spacious, smoker-friendly back patio and a giant moose head overseeing the action at the bar. 

Fort Greene
Globeville
321 East 45th Avenue
Tucked away in a space that looks totally unassuming from the outside, this bar is a cool and quirky secret escape filled with plants and mismatched furniture. Before Fort Greene debuted in 2015, the address was home to divey favorite Crash 45, and before that the White Owl, and before that the Portulaca Cafe, a Slavic speakeasy. This incarnation has a well-worn charm that’s made it a go-to spot for artists, musicians and other members of Denver’s creative class. 

Li’l Devil’s Lounge
Baker
255 South Broadway
For thirteen years, this li’l spot has been a gay-borhood bar with a hidden-in-plain-sight patio oasis on South Broadway. It even has its own parking lot (a rarity in this area), which leads directly into the outdoor party that typically ramps up every evening. From simple mixed drinks to creative cocktails and a damn fine martini, the bartenders here can do it all, and the friendly vibes beckon patrons to stay for just one more round…okay, make it two.

Lincolns
Union Station
1801 Wynkoop Street
You’ll have to work to find the entrance to Lincolns, but that’s half the fun. The space, outfitted with plenty of comfy seating, opened…somewhere inside the Ice House building near Union Station in August 2024. Owner Mark Ohlson was over overpriced cocktails, and set out to create a different kind of bar experience. He debuted the first Lincolns in Portland, Maine, then added a second in Burlington, Vermont, before bringing the concept — a hidden, cash-only bar where all the simple mixed drinks, beer and wine are $5 — to the Mile High, and we’re happy to be privy to the secret. 

Lincoln’s Roadhouse
Platt Park
1201 South Pearl Street
Unlike the new, hidden Lincolns, this rowdy bar has been rocking loudly for over a quarter century. It draws crowds on Friday and Saturday nights, when live blues fills the space, but it’s a hit anytime, thanks to its no-frills, all-fun New Orleans-inspired attitude. We love to sip Hurricanes at the bar, and the kitchen is no slacker, either, dishing up some mighty fine Cajun fare, including po’boys, gumbo and crawfish etouffee.

My Boy Tony
Berkeley
4280 Tennyson Street
There have been a lot of changes on Tennyson Street in recent years, including the closure of BookBar after a decade. That’s when Eli Cox, owner of Berkeley Supply, stepped in to make sure the space continued to be a community gathering place. In November 2023, he opened My Boy Tony, a warm, welcoming and beautifully designed bar and patio where friends and neighbors greet each other with smiles over cocktails, mocktails, craft beers and an impressive natural wine list. 

Pony Up
LoDo
1808 Blake Street
Pony Up’s incredible staff and surprising cocktails make it well worth a trip to LoDo. The neon signs, French bulldog art and references to The Outsiders only add to the ambience at this bar, which is particularly popular with those in the hospitality industry, thanks to a late-night food menu that includes stellar French dips. The Get Crazy & Pony Up shot showcases everything great about this spot, with George Dickel Tennessee Whisky and an au jus chaser that somehow work perfectly together. We’ll never stop saddling up.

RiNo Country Club
RiNo
3763 Wynkoop Street
There are a few reasons that this bar has become one of our favorite spots to pre-game for shows at Mission Ballroom since it opened in 2022. First, it has some solid drink specials, making it way more affordable than ordering booze at the music venue. It’s also home to a nine-hole mini golf course, and lifetime memberships are available for just $10. Plus, you can grub at Dalton’s, the walk-up window that slings one of the best burgers in town, along with Eagles game-day specials during football season that include a cheesesteak, roast pork hoagie with broccoli rabe and crab fries.

River
RiNo
3759 Chestnut Place
This building was once a true dive, the Welcome Inn; River took over in 2021. Four years into its run, River has found its flow as a spot that makes you feel like you’re hanging in the basement of the cool artsy kid from high school, complete with a back “patio” that’s really just a mish-mash of old furniture. Check it out during Power Hour, from 6 to 7 p.m.,when you can score Bud, Bud Light, pickle shots and lemon drops for just a buck each. The bar also regularly hosts events like Tuesday open mic sessions and Dub Wub Saturdays.

The Scapegoat
Sunnyside
3801 Osage Street
A solid neighborhood bar needs a few ingredients to become truly great, though they are hard to pin down. There’s the natural camaraderie that forms between patrons and staff alike, the kind of atmosphere that lends itself to sudden sing-alongs with whatever is playing on the sound system, and hey, a game of Buck Hunter doesn’t hurt, either. The Scapegoat has all that and more, including a collection of eclectic art and taxidermied goats that make it feel like an old favorite despite being just two years old.  

TrashHawk Tavern
Overland
1539 South Broadway
There always seems to be something happening at TrashHawk, which is one of the many reasons it’s been on our top bars list since its 2021 debut. Owner Erin Homburger, known to many regulars as “Trash Mom,” has worked hard to create the kind of place in which you can relax, whether you’re taking advantage of the long and generous happy hour, hitting up the rotating food trucks outside, or entering a cribbage tournament. The bathrooms are plastered with old cigarette and booze ads, the walls are lined with nostalgic memorabilia, and the vibes are 100 percent trashy in only the best ways.

Denver Beer and Wine Destinations

The places to indulge your local craft cravings.

Bierstadt Lagerhaus
RiNo
2875 Blake Street
Ashleigh Carter and Bill Eye opened this brewery in 2016. It specializes in lager beers, including three core brews: its Helles, its Dunkel and its Slow Pour Pils, perhaps the most lauded beer in Colorado. Beyond Bierstadt’s propensity for making some of the best craft beers in the state, it boasts a comfortable, 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. 

Bigsby’s Folly Craft Winery
RiNo
3563 Wazee Street
Bigsby’s Folly aims to bring the soul of wine country to the heart of RiNo. Housed inside a 130-year-old warehouse, the combination bar/tasting room/restaurant/production facility blends industrial grit with refined accents, like soaring 30-foot raftered ceilings and massive glass chandeliers. The space is equally suitable for enjoying a relaxed glass of post-work wine on one of the plush couches, or attending a tasting or blending session at the metal-and-wood tables. The wines are primarily small-batch vintages sourced from grapes across California, Oregon, Washington and even Colorado by winemaker Brian Graham, who studied and apprenticed in Bordeaux, France.

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Blanchard Family Wines
LoDo
1855 Blake Street
Tucked into the bustling alleyway of Denver’s Dairy Block behind the Milk Market, the Blanchard Family Wines tasting room is a space both comfortable and luxurious at the same time. The wines featured include not only those made by brothers Mark and James Blanchard—utilizing grapes imported from California and finished in-state — but also from a range of Colorado-based vineyards. Order by the glass or by the bottle, or opt for one of many wine flights. Education is a big focus here, with classes spanning wine pairing, storage and serving, and even choosing the right glass for the right wine. 

Bull & Bush Brewery
Glendale
4700 East Cherry Creek South Drive
Step inside this dark, cozy English-style pub and you’ll understand its staying power: It turned 54 in 2025. 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, including 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.

Cohesion Brewing
Clayton
3851 Steele Street
Since opening in 2021, Cohesion has become one of the top destinations for out-of-towners, local industry workers and beer aficionados drawn by its Czech-style lagers served 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.) The bar itself is striking, with gorgeous tilework serving as a backdrop and a wood-paneled nook reminiscent of old Europe. 

ESP HiFi
La Alma/Lincoln Park
1029 Santa Fe Drive
ESP HiFi, at its heart, is a vinyl listening bar first, with plenty of options for libations to go along with your audio intake. Coffee, tea, cocktails and beer are all on the menu. But what stands out is an all-natural wine list designed to match any mood or emotion that patrons bring with them. Designed after the Japanese “kissa” — where the music may be loud, but the mood still soft — ESP also has perhaps the best wine club in town, featuring two bottles of wine and your choice of vinyl record for only $100 a month. 

Hogshead Brewing
Sloan Lake
4460 West 29th Avenue
In 2012, Hogshead Brewery transformed a former gas station into an English-style brewery and taproom. Today, it’s one of the last remaining Colorado breweries to serve cask-style beer, and its intimate neighborhood taproom draws drinkers from near and far. The roster has expanded in recent years to include beers outside of the English category, but the changes feel within the umbrella of authenticity. 

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The Full List, A-Z