Candlelight Tavern

https://www.theinfatuation.com/denver/guides/best-bars-in-denver

The Best Bars In Denver - Denver - The Infatuation

"Your dive bar’s favorite dive bar, the Candlelight gets the seal of approval from decades of carousers heeding the call of its neon signs, $3.75 well happy hour, and greasy grub. Besides the holy trinity of pub games—shuffleboard, pool, and darts—what makes this dive better than others is the cheeseburger, a gloriously basic combo of melty american cheese, chunky beef patty, and squishy bun, served with a side of Lay’s. If you’re one of the few who hasn’t been, don’t be intimidated by all the regulars in Lions gear (or the sidewalk smokers)—this place gets more return visitors than Google, but the bartenders are welcoming even if they don’t know your name. Yet." - allyson reedy

https://www.theinfatuation.com/denver/reviews/candlelight-tavern

Candlelight Tavern - Review - Washington Park - Denver - The Infatuation

"Your dive bar’s favorite dive bar, the Candlelight gets the seal of approval from decades of carousers heeding the call of its neon signs, $3.75 well happy hour, and greasy grub. Besides the holy trinity of pub games—shuffleboard, pool, and darts—what levels up this dive from other dives is the cheeseburger, a gloriously basic combo of melty american cheese, chunky beef patty, and squishy bun, served with a side of Lay’s. If you’re one of the few who hasn’t been, don’t be intimidated by all the regulars in Lions gear (or the sidewalk smokers)—this place gets more return visitors than Google, but the bartenders are welcoming even if they don’t know your name. Yet." - Allyson Reedy

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-sports-bars-denver

Denver’s Best Sports Bars | Eater Denver

"As one of Denver’s all-time-great dive bars, the Candlelight boasts a little bit of everything: Cheap drinks, burgers with a cult following, games like pool and darts, and of course plenty of televisions for catching the action (just ask Detroit Lions fans)." - Ruth Tobias

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-sports-bars-watching-sports-denver

17 Winning Spots to Watch Sports in Denver

"As one of Denver’s all-time-great dive bars, the Candlelight has a little bit of everything: Cheap drinks, burgers with a cult following, games like pool and darts, and of course plenty of televisions for catching the action (just ask Detroit Lions fans)." - Ruth Tobias, Eater Staff

https://www.theinfatuation.com/denver/reviews/candlelight-tavern

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Wash Park’s classic dive turns out the platonic ideal of a cheeseburger: griddled patty, melty American, squishy bun, chips on the side. Praised by The Infatuation in 2025 and beloved by locals for decades.

Best Burgers in Denver (2025)

Phil Jude

Google

Classic dive bar with great ambience and people. You could get come here and lose track of time for the rest of the day, which is great. The food is nothing special. Sub-standard bar food even. The burger reminded me something you could make at home, the fries are frozen etc. But you don't come here for the food. You come here to watch a game and drink away your sorrows.

D H

Google

Pretty solid neighborhood bar. I heard someone rave about the burger so when I was nearby I stopped in. Lunch time on a weekday and it was surprisingly busy, bar stools filled and most tables too. The cheeseburger was good, basic tavern burger, no frills. Mine wasn't smashed and seared nearly as well as some of the pictures, minimal mallard/crust, no lacey edges, but was still good. If cooked a little better I bet it would have been great. Ultimately, I would eat it again if I found myself there, but wouldn't make a special trip or stop for the burger.

Addison Rains

Google

This is the definition of a dive bar, and I mean that in the best possible way. The bacon Swiss burger was one of the best burgers I’ve had in Denver, and definitely the best bang for your buck! Bonus, they are also dog friendly and have a great patio.

Amy W

Google

Your favorite local lions bar! Cheap drinks and food and the best fans in the country - what more could you ask for? Recommend getting there early as there’s limited seating space on game days

Mike McMurray

Google

Great pub food, neighborhood joint. I wish more bars were still like this, a throw back to simpler times.

John Kennedy

Google

Candlelight Tavern was a fun place to stop for a few brews. Prices were good for Denver and overall I thought the beer selection was good for a dive bar. Didn’t try food but will next time. Bartender was also very nice and welcoming. Will be back. And unlike most dive bars, they had a bathroom mirror in the men’s room so you could snap a quick selfie for the ‘gram

Rico Paredez

Google

We were just looking for a place with booz and fooz. This spot was great. Drinks were good and the foosball table was well taken care of so we had a blast, especially when competition started showing up.

Rebeca

Google

Bar is by itself in a very small, quiet, dark neighborhood; but it stands out with neon lights. Doesn't seem like much when you walk up to it, but once you get inside, it's pretty Lively with 80s music. Small bar with engaging bartenders. Self service at the bar -no waitresses; you do order from the menu also with the bartender. We parked in the neighborhood a block away. We didn't know until we got inside, that they do have a parking lot behind the bar. Great Wings, we will return. This was our first time here

Denise T.

Yelp

We drive all the way from South Aurora to get the basic delicious bomb ass cheeseburgers from Candlelight. It is one of our go to bars when we are out and about in Denver too. The crowd sometimes can get a little annoying on Friday/Saturday nights but otherwise, great patrons. The burgers are where it is at. Always served with a side of pickles, raw white onion and jalapenos. Basic and delicious. Makes me want to go there again soon.

Amelia B.

Yelp

I enjoyed this place so much. An out of towner looking for somewhere to watch the Detroit Lions Game, I researched and The Candlelight Tavern was recommended, they called it the Detroit Lions Den of Denver. They were right. My people showed up and showed out. I ordered the cheeseburger and it was delicious. A decent sized patty, strong bun, and good seasoning. I should of got two. A small space. Wish they had more seating.

Jessica J.

Yelp

Food here is decently priced, especially for the area that it's located in! Being a small tavern, I found the jalapeño cream cheese burger I got to be yummy. The employees were kind and quick to meet people's needs as well. It's a lowkey, small, place that is a great place to spend some time with friends. Only thing that I would mention is for bipoc folx. the space is more yt and there were several patrons who said some racist things to my friends. Definitely wouldn't feel comfortable coming by myself because of it, so I would only come here with other people. :)

Colby C.

Yelp

Decided to come by on a Saturday and so glad we did! Dive bar with bomb food and friendly people! Ordered the cheeseburger with frings (fries and onion rings) and the jalapeño cream cheese burger. Both were cooked medium which is perfect in our book! The bun was the right size, meat is really flavorful and the burger is pretty thick. If you are wanting spicy get the jalapeño cream cheese burger. Chunks of jalapeños gives that kick we all need sometimes! Parking in the back of building or street parking is available. Cheryl behind the bar was very personable and made sure we always had our drinks full!

Jessica M.

Yelp

Great spot for cocktails and food! This seems to be an established hangout with a tremendous number of regulars. We have been here twice recently and have had a great time . We ordered the cheeseburger, onion rings, and hot wings, and it was phenomenal. We were expecting kind of run-of-the-mill bar food but it was super yummy. My one gripe is that they ran out of chili, and it was only 2pm. They make it fresh every day and I'm sure it's tasty, though I wouldn't know, lol. For music there is a jukebox. As we have been here once during the late evening and during the day, my favorite is in the evening.

Dana W.

Yelp

Let's me say this .. the Monday $5.00 burgers were so good, they might beat the cherry cricket burger!!! I wouldn't call it a dive bar as it's not sticky, but it's definitely in the family'.. BUT that's a compliment, it's not a chain it's not over populated it's just perfect place to be! Let's go back to this Monday night $5 burger. As we were eating them, we were shocked at how delicious they were for five dollars and I kid you not... we sat there and two range rovers drove up at separate times.. double parked and got their burgers to go lol... it was just funny to us that somebody would double park their car to come in for these bar burgers because they were that delicious. I can guarantee you this, I will come here every Monday night for dinner moving forward for because for five bucks and the best damn burger in town, hell yeah!!!

Olya I.

Yelp

There are so many different levels of dive bars that can be great, but this is the greatest one. Absolutely adore the staff, the food, the ambiance! Scott is the nicest bartender in all of Denver. Amazing wings and kitchen staff. And you can play real darts!

Kent L.

Yelp

Burgers in food are amazing! The pool is amazing! The atmosphere is amazing! My favorite place to go in Denver! I love dive bars, but this is the best! For the bartenders... shout out to Chris you're awesome!

Eden R.

Yelp

The best burger! Danno the chef is wonderful, so attentive, very efficient and great service. Have eaten here a few times and it's always consistent! Highly recommend this neighborhood joint.

Derek D.

Yelp

Amazing dive bar. The bar is usually packed with regulars, even during weekdays. I have been coming here for years and the burger is great every time, I'm afraid to try something else. GO LIONS!!!

Kali P.

Yelp

The burgers and service are so good! We love Danno, he is so kind and funny and makes our experience so great. Love the people and the vibe of this place!

Tacos T.

Yelp

Best burger, best bartenders, best patrons, best dive, best music. Best bar in Denver. Period.

Bryan A.

Yelp

Candlelight has some of the best burgers in Denver for sure! Great bar with shuffle board, darts and pool tables! This place is rad!

Brianna N.

Yelp

Favorite dive bar! They have great burgers I was surprised honestly. I was happily expecting a normal over cooked Costco patty and this was absolutely not that. Perfectly cooked real patty that was amazing!! The staff is always so nice I've made friends with some of them so much love for this place I always bring friends here.

Melissa G.

Yelp

Came here because a local friend told me this was one of the best places to play foosball on any given night and boy was he right! Drinks were cheap, people were out enjoying themselves, shots were delicious, staff was friendly, the food smelled delicious, and the foosball table was on fire with people coming up and placing their quarters on the table to play us next. We had a great time meeting new people, taking cheap shots + Coors drink specials, and slamming those foosballs around their Tornado table. There are other games like shuffle board, pool, and darts as well in this quaint joint. Smoking is only allowed outside and be sure to place your drink down before walking out or finish it as you are not allowed to walk outside with your drink. Definitely want to come by and visit if you are in the area. We had a wonderful time, made great new friends, and beat so many people who came up to challenge us on that foosball table.

Eric D.

Yelp

I love this bar but the bartender tonight was a POS. Dude has no idea what he's doing and was rude as hell. He doesn't deserve a job with the public. He's a trash bartender

Steve S.

Yelp

First time - exactly as expected! Great neighborhood jawn with exceptional burgers. They're hand formed, with well seasoned fresh meat - takes a bit longer, but be patient and you'll be rewarded. Love the side of pickles and onions. Best tatsing burger had in a while.

Mia V.

Yelp

This place is, hands down, the most consistent when it comes to brand message, service, and staff. I've been coming here for over 3 years and it never ceases to be just what I need when I walk in the door. Chris, Todd, and Danno are long time employees who clearly love that they do! The food is so consistent - it like going to your grandparents' house. You know what you are going to get and you know it will be so tasty. The menu is simple - bar food that hits the spot. Favorites Cheeseburger. Wings - crispy without being too overdone. The sauce is tasty but not hot but you can order it with more heat. Also faves: French Fries - served in a large oversized basket Burger with Jalapeno cream cheese - sinful! Also: the JukeBox is On point every time I love how the place has a dedicated game area for billiards, jengo and more. When the Zombie Apocalypse hits - Candle light Tavern is where I'll be!

Spencer K.

Yelp

Update: Just got married and we met at Candlelight. There are few places on earth as magical as this place. Only to be uttered in the same breath as the Grand Canyon, Disneyland and the Eiffel Tower at night.

Snow K.

Yelp

This place is busted. When you walk into this dive bar, you'll know that you'll be suffering through not only rap / hip-hop, but over a crappy sound system. The only thing that has character about this place is the outside. Would have stayed, but the funny music is a dealbreaker (bad club music belongs in bad clubs).

James S.

Yelp

Best dive bar in Denver. Strong, inexpensive drinks, sports on TV, friendly and welcoming regulars. Plus best $5 burger in the city!! Now add in GREAT bartenders and you'll understand why this place has been around for decades!!

Lea L.

Yelp

By far the best burgers in Denver. I always get the jalapeño cream cheese burger, but the classic cheeseburger is equally amazing. On top of it all, the price is just right and you get to enjoy that dive bar atmosphere with a great crowd of regulars.

Rachael Jewell S.

Yelp

Rating based on highest quality burger at a bar in town for reasonable price and best onion ring basket! Not sure lots of folks come here for the food - but so good for the money!

Michael W.

Yelp

Arrived in Denver around 10pm on a Sunday. As a rule, I look for a local place with some character, that won't destroy my wallet, and hope for the best. This place came through. Solid cheeseburger made to order at 11pm, and a great, diverse mix of characters at the bar. I highly recommend this neighborhood bar!

Terri T.

Yelp

Went for a quick drink with my daughter...no eye contact and took forever to get 2 drinks...very rude! Should have left no tip. Tipped 20%. Got cc statement they added an extra 40%...not sure if that's a proper way to run a business

Taylor S.

Yelp

Okay okay okay Candle Light Tavern. I'm in love. I finally took note of this place after driving by a few times on my way home. Oddly, I didn't check the Yelp reviews nor did I do any research when I dragged my gal pal here after we both had a pretty long day. We walked from my place and when we arrived my girlfriend was shocked that I didn't tell her we were going to Candle Light and even more shocked that I had never been. "World class burgers for a few bucks!", she proclaimed. Well, she was right. We had a few drinks, did some people watching, buddied up with the bartender, did more people watching, had a shot of tequila, ordered a burger and talked about playing pool or shuffleboard. We never did. The bartenders and door staff are friendly and the drinks are cheap. The burgers are truly delicious and you can order half and half onion rings. It's intimate, dark, kinda divey, and totally my jam.

Cindy S.

Yelp

My first experience at the candlelight tavern was very disappointing. The bar tender, Scott was very rude. The tap beer was warm. Denver has so many dive bars skip this one.

Jason A.

Yelp

Pretty impressed with this place as a one-off while visiting the Denver suburbs. Our group had originally intended to go to the bar next door, but Candle Light Tavern seemed a whole lot more fun. Candle Light is what you would call a dive bar in the best sense of the term. Place was packed on a Friday night, bartenders had a good pour, and nobody broke their wallet that night. That's a win all around. There are two "sides" to the establishment, one with the actual bar and the other with a slew of bar games to choose from: shuffleboard, pool, darts, big jenga. All were in pretty great shape and very easy to access. Plenty of places to sit and actually put your stuff, which is much appreciated when the temperature outside is in the single digits. One thing I always like to look for and this place has is a digital jukebox you can access through an app on your phone. Obviously everyone can do it, but it's nice to be able to contribute to the music without having to interrupt what you're doing otherwise. Because it's connected to the internet, you can pretty much access anything you want. Can't say when I'll be in the area again but I would not hesitate to hit up Candle Light Tavern again. Good drinks, plenty of distractions, fun atmosphere.

Shar S.

Yelp

Came here for a quick happy hour drink with a coworker after work, and was not disappointed. This is the neatest, most comfortable dive bar I have been to in a while. And I use "dive" in the most endearing way. The bartenders and servers were SO attentive, and made sure to check on us several times throughout the night. Very happy, very genuinely friendly people. Made us so glad we stopped in! I have a collection of bottle caps that I keep at home that I told one of the bartenders about, and he ended up secretly saving a few for me! He brought them to the table with our bill, that was so sweet! Looks like I have a new hometown favorite!

Connor G.

Yelp

The dive bar perfected! Located right off the corner of Dakota and Pearl sits this little unassuming bar called the Candlelight Tavern. With a weird mix of everyone knows your name meets biker bar, the Candle Light Tavern is a cool place to have a drink a throw some darts or play pool. PRO TIP: If you're looking for a cheap meal, Candle Light offers some crazy cheap and delicious burgers ranging between $4-6 bucks. The jalapeno cream cheese burger is a must!!!

Sara H.

Yelp

This is not a safe place, please avoid. My friend and I (both young women) were harassed and practically assaulted by 2 different patrons within an hour of walking in for the first time. First, while having a drink at the bar and random man reached across the bar to make physical contact with me and then made lewd gestures and facial expressions towards my friend and I after I asked him to leave us alone. After a few minutes of ignoring him, he again reach across the bar to make physical contact, this time with my drink glass. A few minutes later a different person approached the bar near where my friend and I were sitting. To order a drink, he physically pushed himself between my friend and I after we asked him to find another open spot at the bar. He refused to move and leave us alone and instead physically forced his body between my friend and I. He refused to move and we walked out. This was my first visit to this bar and it will certainly be my last. I live in this neighborhood and thought I could enjoy a nightcap at this highly rated place, but I am outraged by the harassment I experienced from 2 different people within an hour of being in there. Please don't give this place your business if they continue to allow this dangerous behavior from their patrons.

Tony T.

Yelp

Wonderful place with good drinks and a community vibe. Sweet people all around! Will be back.

Ryan P.

Yelp

My favorite place in Denver. The staff is amazing and down to earth. They make you feel like part of the Candlelight Family. Burgers are a must have. I can honestly say I am here 4/7 days a week getting a burger and fries. Ohhh the wings are amazing as well. Perfect bar to grab a bite to eat on a Sunday or meet some fun people on a Friday and Saturday night. Keep up the good work! You guys kickass!

Jason P.

Yelp

Very nice lil tavern. Menu is very simple but the burgers are excellent. Perfect for a hang over burger and cheap drink. Would recommend for sure.

taylor w.

Yelp

I had my birthday party here (without ever being in previously) and it was SO much fun! Great bartenders, cheap drinks and really fun atmosphere. Plus, their food is pretty killer (especially for a dive bar!). My boyfriend and I go back to watch Lions games there now and will continue to do so!

Laura B.

Yelp

One of the best dive bars in Denver! Great drink specials and their food is good! Who doesn't love a cheeseburger w a bag of chips? Also their buffalo wings have a great flavor to them. Def recommend checking this place out if you're in the neighborhood!

Kathy S.

Yelp

This place! What a highlight for our Colorado getaway. There is nothing better than a comfy dive bar to sit and chill with friends at!! THIS is why I love my YELP app!! You type in exactly what you want and it just never disappoints! Typed in Dive Bar, drove here, and we met the most welcoming, warm, friendly bunch of folks! The bartender Scott...is a real hoot! A great team behind that bar!! It's not a big place, but it packs 'em in. Drinks are reasonable. Do have Pool tables and dart boards.

James S.

Yelp

Great hidden gem with the best burgers around. The wings are great too. Parking can be a pain in the butt but trust me, it's totally worth it. If meat isn't your thing, they always Have a great veggie burger, must try.

Chris L.

Yelp

I can't express how much I enjoy this dive bar every time I have went. Whether it is the people I am with, the crazy weird delish burger, or reasonable prices.... this place will always have a spot in my heart and memories.

Benjamin B.

Yelp

My favourite dive bar in the solar system. Plus it's just down the road from my sister's house so I can crawl home after a Tuesday night blitzkrieg pretty easily, unless it's winter in which case it's a real cold crawl so I usually find someone's car to sleep in until morning. They got shuffleboard here. And darts, and pool, and some old video games, but really, shuffleboard is where it's at. The drinks are insane clown posse cheap, and there's tons of specials, oh, oh, and it's $6 all-you-can-eat hot wings on Tuesdays. Challenge. Accepted.

Maggie C.

Yelp

Cheap and good eats! Came with some friends who are local here. We all got burgers/veggie burgers. They also have foosball, darts and giant jenga, which is fun.

Mary M.

Yelp

The food was good for bar food but the waitress disappeared and we had to go to the bar to ask for our check. The bartender was incredibly rude when we approached the bar and asked. Not going to go back.

Liza V.

Yelp

My visit here was great, and totally unexpected. Stopped in after a nearby search for a burger after a concert; the reviews for this place looked promising. We walked in and found a spot at the bar. The bartenders were fantastic- super friendly and enjoyable. We made it just in time, as they were just about to close the kitchen. The menu is on the wall, concession stand style, and the prices are dirt-cheap. We each ordered a burger, and got some fries and onion rings. The burgers were seriously perfect. You can't beat this deal. This is my kind of dive bar. I'll be back.

Sean M.

Yelp

It's a diver for sure. But this joint has beer olympics... That's right Beer Olympics... I'm training right now for next year. Cheers

Jason J.

Yelp

I'm surprised by reviews below that say it's full of beefcakes and tools. While most bars are going to have their share of that kind of crowd, The Fight (it's called that because most nights there's gonna be a fight there) is your typical dive bar. It's awesome for lunch because it's ridiculously cheap. It doesn't get much more expensive at dinner, and there are plenty of games to play. Usually darts and foos with some golden tee sprinkled in are my speed. Can get crowded, but the tenders are quick and usually friendly. As one of the other reviews said, stumble in at the end of the night, or get tanked early and stumble home from here. that's the way to go!

Mo C.

Yelp

Small, often packed, can be a little akward to get around in when people are playing shuffle board and pool, and it's anyone's guess what racket will be playing on the jukebox, but this is just a fun little bar and I like it. They have super cheap beer. We are usually there on Mondays and they have cheap PBRs. And, I got a pitcher of some local craft brew and it was under $10, NICE! The wings here are good, although they have a very limited menu. The bartenders are smiley and friendly and for the most part, the clientele are friendly as well. I dig this place, but make no mistake, it's a small divey bar. If you dig small and divey, this is the place for you. If not, look elsewhere. This place isn't pretending to be something it isn't, it's just a fun neighborhood bar.

Rachel G.

Yelp

Everyone mainly comes here on the weekends for their amazing bartenders Scott and Chris. The burgers and wings and fries are delicious and they've got tvs for the sports fanatics! There are plenty of games to entertain you and your group of friends including shuffle board, foose ball, darts, pool, and even a few video game machines. It's a wonderful dive bar that used to have a bad rep but has outgrown their wild stage, I believe. This place holds some of my fondest memories(or lack thereof haha)

Adam D.

Yelp

A dive bar with dartboards, pool tables and a shuffleboard. And really cheap drinks. And a good variety of music too. If you value cleanliness, don't bother going here. If you just want to have a good time and not spend a lot of money, it's worth stopping by.

Veronica B.

Yelp

Great time!! Great service!! If you are looking for a place to watch Lions games. This is hands down the best place. Go you will have fun!

https://www.theinfatuation.com/denver/guides/best-bars-in-denver

The Best Bars In Denver - Denver - The Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/denver/reviews/candlelight-tavern

Candlelight Tavern - Review - Washington Park - Denver - The Infatuation

"Your dive bar’s favorite dive bar, the Candlelight gets the seal of approval from decades of carousers heeding the call of its neon signs, $3.75 well happy hour, and greasy grub. Besides the holy trinity of pub games—shuffleboard, pool, and darts—what levels up this dive from other dives is the cheeseburger, a gloriously basic combo of melty american cheese, chunky beef patty, and squishy bun, served with a side of Lay’s. If you’re one of the few who hasn’t been, don’t be intimidated by all the regulars in Lions gear (or the sidewalk smokers)—this place gets more return visitors than Google, but the bartenders are welcoming even if they don’t know your name. Yet." - Allyson Reedy

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-sports-bars-denver

Denver’s Best Sports Bars | Eater Denver

https://denver.eater.com/maps/best-sports-bars-watching-sports-denver

17 Winning Spots to Watch Sports in Denver

https://www.theinfatuation.com/denver/reviews/candlelight-tavern

@postcardnews

Best Burgers in Denver (2025)