14 Top Bars in Denver: For Beers, Cocktails, & Wine! [2024]

If you're planning a trip out west and have your sights set on Denver, Colorado, you've chosen well. Between lively neighborhoods in downtown Denver to the nearby mountains, why not end your evenings with a drink at one of Denver's bars?

There's no shortage of feel-good bars in Denver, from whiskey distilleries to rooftop bars. Discover the best neighborhoods in Denver for nightlife and my recommendations for some of the best bars in the city in this article. This is your guide to bars in Denver and why they're some of the best!

Best Neighborhoods for Going Out in Denver

RiNo

River North, known as RiNo or Five Points, is just north of downtown Denver. Over the last five years, this artsy neighborhood has become one of the city's go-to hotspots for nightlife, breweries, and dining. 

Highlands

The Highlands neighborhood is in the hilliest part of the city. The Highlands area is called LoHi or Lower Heights, and it is its own bubble of bustling restaurants and bars. With various bars like brewhouses and martini bars, it's one of the most central areas of the city. What's even better? All the action is within a walk or short ride-share lift.

LoDo

Lower downtown encompasses areas like the historic Union Station and Coors Field. Here you can access dozens of bars mixed between some of the city's main landmarks. Getting around is easy on foot, scooter ride, or on public transportation. 

Baker

The hip Baker neighborhood is an up-and-coming neighborhood for nightlife. It's located just south of downtown Denver, and here you'll find a mix of dive bars and quirky locales. It's easy to navigate at night since everything is off the main drag, Broadway Street.

Denver Nightlife

What to Expect

Denver is a busy city tucked amid Colorado's stunning mountain ranges. Locals stick to their routine of work and outdoor activities, ranging from hiking to dirt biking and snow sports. 

But you're probably here for the outdoor attractions or maybe even some shopping. When it's time to wind down, casual settings like beer gardens and laid–back distilleries are popular. They're also dog friendly!

Cocktail bars line trendy neighborhoods like RiNo and Baker. There are plenty of options to fit your mood, from Prohibition-era speakeasies to rooftop bars. Because everyone takes advantage of the daylight in Denver, the nightlife is more relaxed than what you expect for a big city. 

Hours

Bars in Denver have varied open and close times. Some cocktail bars close as early as 11 pm, while others stay open until 2 am. 

In general, fewer late-night bars are open in Denver than in other big cities like New York City or Chicago. Make sure you check the business hours for each bar you want to visit so you can plan accordingly. 

Best Bars in Denver

Cocktail Bars

1. 54Thirty Rooftop Bar

The 54Thirty Rooftop Bar is one of the highest views in downtown Denver. 

Take the elevator to the 20th floor of Le Meridien hotel, and you'll arrive at the indoor section of the bar surrounded by glass windows. Fire pits and a large outdoor patio cover the rest of the floor. If you can, plan to arrive at sunset to see the skyline lit up over the mountains!

Address: 1475 California Street, Denver, CO, 80202

2. Adrift

If tropical drinks topped with bright flowers are your vibe, you'll love Adrift. 

It's in the bustling Baker neighborhood, near other food and drink hotspots. The bar is tiki style, complete with bamboo furniture and colorful string lights dangling overhead. It's the best island getaway in the mountain-high city. 

Address: 218 S Broadway Street, Denver, CO, 80209

3. Death and Co

A branch of the original Death and Co bar in New York City, the Denver location sits inside The Ramble hotel in downtown Denver. 

Dimly lit and high-end lounge ambiance at night gives it a swanky feel. It's established a reputation as a must-try for craft cocktails in the city. What makes Death and Co unique is their non-alcoholic cocktails which are just as intricate and delicious as the alcoholic ones. 

Address: 1280 25th Street, Denver, CO, 80205

4. Finn's Manor

Finn's Manor is an electric bar serving cocktails, rotating beer taps, and their house sangria in the RiNo neighborhood. They also carry hundreds of spirits, rums, and whiskies! 

It's gotten a lot of attention in travel magazines as one of the top cocktail bars in Denver. Patio chairs circle fire pits, and the lot is always filled with food trucks. The space lends itself to your mood, and you can opt for a laid-back beer garden feel outdoors or an artsy cocktail bar ambiance on the inside. 

Address: 2927 Larimer Street, Denver, CO 80205

5. Honey Elixir Bar

Cocktails topped with glitter and colorful craft "potions" are some of the highlights at the Honey Elixir Bar. The mid-century decor ties nicely into its contemporary drinks. 

The bar is tucked in a small alley off Walnut Street in the trendy RiNo neighborhood. It's a small space, but the velvet couches offer comfortable seating for groups. After a long day, grab a sparkly cocktail and enjoy some vegan bar food here.

Address: 2636 Walnut Street, #104, Denver, CO, 80205

6. Union Lodge No. 1

While there's no secret password, the Union Lodge No. 1 maintains its speakeasy cover with a hard-to-find door to enter. 

Union Lodge No. 1 is a small but cozy bar covered in a wood interior and an old brick exterior. They offer a wide range of whiskeys and specialty Prohibition-era craft cocktails. It's located in the Central Business District near Capitol Hill.

Address: 1543 Champa St., Denver, CO, 80202

7. Williams & Graham

This bar hidden behind a bookcase in the Highland Park neighborhood is what you'd hope for in a speakeasy. 

William & Graham has a secret entry and a cozy 1920s vibe. Candlelight and well-crafted cocktails go hand in hand here. The cocktail menu changes during each season, and although cocktails are a bit more pricey than some of the bars on this list, it's worth the experience. 

Address: 3160 Tejon Street, Denver, CO 80211

Distilleries

8. Bear Creek Distillery

In South Denver, you'll find the snow lodge-style Bear Creek Distillery. This under-the-radar gem is known for top-tier cocktails like Whiskey Sours, and a whiskey-based Bloody Mary made with in-house spirits. On the inside, massive glass walls give you a view of the backroom where the distillery work happens. You can schedule a tour of the backroom as well to learn more. 

Address: 1879 S Acoma Street, Denver, Colorado, 80223

9. The Family Jones Spirit House

The Family Jones Spirit House is a family-owned cocktail bar and distillery in the Highland neighborhood of Denver. They sell ready-to-pour cocktails by the bottle, or you can sit at the bar for a craft cocktail. The interior feels like a modern cabin; during the day, the huge windows help bring in natural sunlight. You can also set up distillery tours on the weekends. 

Address: 3245 Osage Street, Denver, CO, 80211

Beer Gardens and Brewhouses

10. Lowry Beer Garden

The spacious Lowry Beer Garden sits next to the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. 

It has communal, large-table seating both indoors and outdoors. The beer garden is 9,000 square feet of park and garden space. When the weather allows, opt for outdoor seating on a sunny day or relax under the beer garden's string lights at night. You'll find dozens of local beers on tap and bar foods like giant pretzels and bratwurst hotdogs. 

Address: 7577 E Academy Blvd, Denver, CO, 80230

11. Odell Brewing Five Points Brewhouse

While Odell Brewing has a few locations in the city, head to the original one In the heart of the popular RiNo neighborhood. 

All the Odell beers are brewed onsite, and it's a local favorite in Denver for all types of beers, from sours to lagers and IPAs. The Odell Brewing Co in RiNo has a rooftop patio with live music, fire pits, and trivia nights.

Address: 2945 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80205

12. Tap Fourteen

Tap Fourteen is another of Denver's most-loved beer gardens with a rooftop bar. It's near the Rockies baseball park, so it's an excellent pre or post-baseball game activity. 

Tap Fourteen's specialties are craft beers and more than 100 distilled spirits. It's got a laid-back environment with casual picnic table seating. A game of cornhole, beer, and skyline views are a great combination here!

Address: 1920 Blake Street, Denver, CO, 80202

Wine Bars

13. Bigsby's Folly Craft Winery & Restaurant

This urban winery is between RiNo and North Denver neighborhoods. It was started by a couple in 2016 who decided to pursue life as wine merchants. The space has an open interior with chandeliers and high wooden ceilings. You can find a living-room-style corner of the winery with couches and coffee tables to enjoy wine and bites with friends.

Address: 3563 Wazee Street, Denver, Colorado, 80216

14. Blanchard Family Wines

This family-owned winery label started in California before reaching Colorado. Blanchard Family Wines is in the LoDo neighborhood next to Union Station.

Blanchard Family Wines focuses its wine menu on its bottles and Colorado-made wines. Wine flights and cheese boards are some of the favorites here, and it's also popular for hosting small events.

Address: 1855 Blake Street, #120, Denver, Colorado 80202

Go Bar Hopping in Denver!

Now that you know the bars to check out in Denver, it's time to plan the rest of your trip using Pilot.