Best Bars in Denver (2025)

Denver’s anti-club club couples smart cocktails and natural wine with laid-back service and hot dogs. Recognized by North America’s 50 Best Bars and praised by Westword and Axios, it’s a true neighborhood hang with national cred and community roots.

This LoHi speakeasy helped define Denver’s modern cocktail era. Featured repeatedly by Eater and Westword, it’s known for encyclopedic spirits, bespoke service, and a bookcase entrance. An airport outpost arrived in 2025, but the original remains the soul.

Pre-Prohibition style, candlelit swagger, and bartenders who treat classics like craft. Often cited by local critics and recommended to cocktail enthusiasts, the downtown stalwart showcases meticulous technique and an era-true menu with theatrical touches.

Opened the day after Prohibition’s repeal, this Art Deco beauty pours textbook martinis and historic cocktails under a rosy neon glow. Featured by Condé Nast Traveler and Eater, it’s a living LoDo landmark that still sets the mood just right.

Part hi-fi lounge, part wine lover’s haven from the Frasca team. Lauded by Esquire and local critics, it pairs vinyl-driven ambiance with a deep, deftly curated list and seasonal plates—proof Denver’s wine bars play at a national level.

A Colfax institution where patrons get welcome shots and women receive a rose. Regularly highlighted by Eater, 5280, and Westword, it’s pure East Colfax personality: cash-only, jukebox humming, and an easygoing crowd that spans generations.

Sommelier-run and decidedly fun, Noble Riot champions natural wine without pretense—fried chicken bucket and all. A fixture in 5280 and Westword roundups, it anchors RiNo’s wine culture with classes, flights, and a lively alleyway entrance.

Alluring design meets refined cocktails with global accents. Frequently praised by 5280 and Eater, this Platte Street stunner balances serious technique with playful presentations and a crowd that skews artsy, industry, and in-the-know locals.

A LoHi favorite from local owners behind Hudson Hill and The Wild, Lady Jane focuses on seasonal cocktails and a thoughtful Scotch program. Noted by Eater, 5280, and Westword, it’s relaxed, stylish, and unmistakably neighborhood-first.

Slip through the freezer door behind the ice cream counter for a sci‑fi‑tinged speakeasy with seasonal, theme-driven menus. Featured by Condé Nast Traveler and Eater, Retrograde delivers inventive cocktails in a cinematic, low-lit hideout.

Globeville’s creative clubhouse: DJs, pop-up markets, film nights, and a plant-filled parlor vibe. Celebrated by Westword for its good‑vibes ethos, it’s a community-forward cocktail bar where Denver’s artists and neighbors actually mingle.

Botanical, spice-driven cocktails in a jewel-box Berkeley bar from the team behind Union Lodge No. 1. Applauded by 5280 and Eater, the menu leans earthy and elegant, with meticulous house syrups and polished, neighborly service.