RiNo (River North Art District): The Industrial Playground
RiNo transformed from forgotten warehouses to Denver’s creative epicenter. The bars here match the neighborhood’s energy — big, bold, and unpredictable.
Death & Co Denver on 25th Street brought New York cocktail royalty to Colorado. The Denver outpost is bigger and airier than the original, with a cocktail menu that’s both ambitious and approachable. Rated 4.6 and worth every dollar.
One Shot Back on Curtis is rated 4.9 and does cocktails with a focus on rare and vintage spirits. The bartenders are genuine enthusiasts and the menu rewards curiosity.
The Marigold on Welton is a neighborhood bar that feels like a living room — warm, welcoming, and stocked with cocktails that have enough creativity to keep you exploring the menu.
Mockingbird on Larimer does cocktails in a gorgeous space with a patio that’s prime territory during Denver’s 300 days of sunshine.
Improper City on Walnut is a massive outdoor beer garden with food trucks, fire pits, and enough space to bring your dog. It’s the group hangout spot — 30 taps and something for everyone.
LoDo & Ballpark: Downtown Drinking
The Passport on Market Street is rated 4.9 and takes you around the world through cocktails. Each section of the menu represents a different region, and the drinks genuinely taste like they belong there.
Union Lodge No.1 on Champa is rated 4.8 and brings a whiskey-focused cocktail program to a gorgeous space that evokes old Western saloons without being kitschy.
Seven Grand Denver on Blake does the same whiskey-forward concept as the San Diego and Austin locations — dark wood, animal mounts, and a bourbon list that goes deep. The old fashioned is bulletproof.
Cruise Room at the Oxford Hotel has been here since 1933 — the day after Prohibition ended. The Art Deco design is original, the cocktails are classic, and drinking here feels like stepping into a time machine.
Capitol Hill: The Neighborhood Bar Capital
Cap Hill is Denver’s densest, most walkable neighborhood, and the bar scene reflects that — something interesting on every block.
Cap Hill Confidential on Colfax is rated 4.8 and does the speakeasy thing with enough originality to stand apart. The cocktails rotate seasonally and the bartenders are among the best in the city.
Dew Drop Inn on E 17th is rated 4.7 and has the kind of dive-bar-with-great-cocktails energy that every neighborhood needs. Cheap beers and expert cocktails coexist peacefully.
The Thin Man on E 17th is a cocktail bar inspired by the 1934 film — witty, elegant, and a little dangerous. The drinks are complex and the atmosphere is film noir without the fedora requirement.
The Crypt on E 17th is a goth-themed cocktail bar that’s way better than the theme suggests. Dark, dramatic, and the drinks are genuinely excellent. Denver’s willingness to embrace weird bar concepts is one of its best qualities.
Highland & LoHi: The View-Seekers
Williams & Graham on Tejon is hidden behind a bookshelf in what looks like an old bookstore. Denver’s most famous speakeasy, and it earned the reputation — the cocktails are impeccable and the space is stunning. Reservations are essential.
Linger on W 30th is in a converted mortuary (the sign still says “Olinger” if you look closely). The rooftop has panoramic city views, the cocktails are creative, and yes, the food truck on the roof is real.
Avanti Food & Beverage on Pecos is a food hall with a killer rooftop bar. Multiple food vendors, a long cocktail menu, and sunset views over the mountains. It’s the pre-dinner spot that becomes the whole evening.
Highland Tavern on Navajo is the neighborhood bar done right — local beers, honest cocktails, and a community vibe. Rated 4.6 and beloved by its regulars.
Practical Tips
Altitude warning: Denver sits at 5,280 feet. Alcohol hits harder here. Your first night, drink water between rounds and pace yourself. Everyone learns this the hard way; learn it from reading instead.
Best nights: Thursday and Friday. Saturday is excellent but expect waits at popular spots. Denver’s early-riser culture means Sunday is quiet.
Getting around: Uber between neighborhoods. Within RiNo, Cap Hill, or Highland, everything is walkable. The light rail connects LoDo to some neighborhoods but isn’t comprehensive.
Budget: Cocktails are $13-17, beer is $6-9. Denver is solidly mid-range for a major city. Happy hours are common and generous.
Weather: 300 days of sunshine means patios are king. But temperature can swing 40 degrees in a day — bring a layer even in summer. Westword keeps updated bar coverage.