Top Bars in Denver – Most Viewed (2025)

Nestled in downtown Denver on Champa Street, Union Lodge No. 1 is more than a cocktail bar — it is a homage to America’s bartending heritage. Open nightly from 5 pm, the bar channels the spirit of the late 19th / early 20th century, serving drinks inspired by that era but refined with modern sensibilities. Walking in, you’ll feel the ambiance shift: warm lighting, exposed brickwork, vintage touches, and bar tools that echo days when bartenders experimented freely. While not literally from the Prohibition era, its aesthetic and drink philosophy aim to recreate the elegance of that age. The menu is richly curated. You’ll find categories like Slings & Fancy Drinks, Juleps & Smashes, Punches, Sours & Fizzes, Cups, Cobblers, Swizzles & Coolers, House Tonics, plus a robust Whiskey List. The bar also crafts seasonal specials, showing a skillful balance of tradition and innovation. Whiskey lovers will find depth: the whiskey list includes bottles from around the world — e.g. Hibiki Harmony (Japan), Red Breast 12 (Ireland), Nikka From the Barrel, etc. The cocktails also lean into classic styles — you’ll see Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Manhattan, Martinez — executed with reverence and finesse. Though cozy in size, the bar draws a diverse crowd: date nights, serious cocktail enthusiasts, locals wanting a polished late-evening drink, and visitors hunting for Denver’s standout cocktail experiences. Reviews often point to its ambiance as “feeling historic, but never stuffy.” It’s not a place for loud crowds — the focus is on the drink, the craft, and the conversation. Bartenders take care to explain the story behind each drink. In short: Union Lodge No. 1 is a refined retreat in Denver’s bar scene, one that invites you to slow down, sip beautifully, and connect with the legacy of cocktail craft.

Tucked into the vibrant South Broadway corridor in Denver, Adrift Tiki Bar transports you into a Polynesian-inspired oasis far from urban life. With tiki décor, bamboo accents, vintage island art, and a menu of creatively balanced tropical cocktails, it leans into its theme without overdoing the kitsch. The cocktail menu is robust and adventurous. You’ll find island staples like Mai Tais, the “Adrift” signature blend, Jungle Bird, Coral Coast Margarita, and more. Many drinks use their house-made syrups, orgeat, and falernum. They also offer spirit flights, beer, wine, and a food menu of Polynesian / island-inspired small plates. Adrift’s ambiance is lively but intimate. Reviewers note that while the décor isn’t over the top “Disney tiki,” the bar feels friendly, cocktail-forward, and approachable. Some guests call it more of a “tiki restaurant” hybrid than a pure tiki lounge. Because of its moderate size, reservations are recommended (especially on weekends). The bar also plays with seasonal concepts: for example, during the holidays Adrift morphs into Snow Drift, with winter-themed decor, igloo bars, and a festive cocktail menu. In sum, Adrift is a modern tiki-bar that balances tradition with approachability. It’s a place to linger over drinks, share food, chat with bartenders, and enjoy a tropical escape in central Denver.

Housed within the venerable Oxford Hotel in downtown Denver, The Cruise Room is a time capsule of mid-20th century cocktail culture. It first opened the day after Prohibition was repealed in 1933, making it the city’s longest continually operating bar. The interior is a study in Art Deco elegance: deep red lighting, gleaming chrome accents, bas-relief panels lining the walls (depicting toasts from around the world), carved decorative details, and cozy, intimate booths. The very shape of the room is said to mimic a wine bottle (narrow at the ends, broader in the middle). A vintage jukebox plays jazz and blues standards to complete the mood. Though small and windowless, The Cruise Room feels grand in its details and historical resonance. It’s not about spectacle but about preserving a refined, hushed glamour. The bartenders here are stewards of tradition: expect a menu that honours cocktail classics — Martinis, Sidecars, Collinses — while also introducing interesting seasonal twists. The bar pairs its drink program with small-plate snacks: oysters, charcuterie, calamari, light bar fare. Because The Cruise Room is part of a historic hotel, guests often drift in before or after dinner at Urban Farmer, the adjacent steakhouse. The atmosphere is best suited to relaxed sipping and conversation rather than rowdy nights. It continues to attract a varied crowd — locals, hotel guests, cocktail enthusiasts — all drawn by the charm of an enduring classic.

Founded as an esteemed extension of the original New York flagship, Death & Co Denver opened in 2018 within the stylish surrounds of The Ramble Hotel. Here, the dim, intimate vibes of its Manhattan sibling merge with a more open, natural-light–lit setting—creating an airy yet deeply refined cocktail sanctuary. The bar’s design underscores craftsmanship: a grand lobby bar framed by high ceilings, light that dances off polished surfaces, and a sense of relaxed elegance that invites lingering. Their world-class menu spans categories like Fresh and Lively and Elegant and Timeless, featuring imaginative staples such as the show-stopping Gunshop Fizz and nuanced, aromatic low-ABV cocktails—and you can also retreat to the rooftop garden when the weather allows. Beyond the main bar, Death & Co offers layered hospitality: DC/AM Coffee Bar downstairs serves refined breakfast and daytime fare. The Garden is an alfresco extension open for seasonal, sunny-day sipping. Suite 6A, a mezzanine lounge, offers a more intimate, semi-private cocktail setting—perfect for small groups. This Denver outpost has built its reputation on a foundation of warm, expert hospitality and meticulous creativity—earning it a spot among North America’s finest cocktail destinations.

Tucked into the LoHi (Lower Highland) neighborhood of Denver, Room for Milly feels like a boutique cocktail lounge that opens like an invitation to explore. From the moment you step through you’ll find a space that mixes modern comfort with bursts of color—and design flourishes that nod to worldly travel. It’s relaxed yet polished; irreverent yet elegant. The bar is built around cocktails crafted with care. Whether you pick something off their list or ask for something custom, the staff seem to delight in flavor, detail and presentation. Around drinks, the food menu leans small but well considered: snacks and shareable bites like charcuterie, olfactory snacks (olives, popcorn), dips, seasonal vegetables, shrimp—and enough options to pair well without being heavy. Space is comfortable. There’s indoor seating, a patio/outdoor element, and design touches (artwork, color, furniture) that make the place feel special. The mood grows from laid-back afternoons (or late afternoons) into relaxed evenings, with music and lighting adjusted to fit. On Sundays, they run all-day happy hour which turns the bar into a prime spot for leisurely sipping. Room for Milly is ideal for catching up with friends, date evenings, or just lingering over a cocktail after work. The vibe is welcoming; walk-ins encouraged. It’s not a nightclub, but it has personality; it’s not ultra formal, but there’s aim and craft. If you appreciate good design, good drinks, and thoughtful snacks—this is a place that rewards taking your time.

Step through a discreet bookshelf door and you’ll find yourself transported to the intimate world of Williams & Graham, a famed speakeasy in Denver’s Highlands. Dimly lit and warmly styled, this bar blends vintage elegance with modern craft, offering a menu that boasts both original cocktails and over 60 timeless classics. The spirit selection is staggering—more than 500 unique bottles sourced from around the globe, ranging from rare bottlings to beloved icons. Signature creations like the Thai-inspired "It’s Not What You Think" sit alongside crowd-pleasers such as the refreshing Blackberry Sage Smash and intriguingly spiced choices like Crowd Surf and Dreaming of Paris—each reflecting both creativity and craftsmanship. Yet the experience extends beyond drinks. The food menu delivers equally thoughtful fare—deviled eggs, scallops, French onion soup, bone marrow, and indulgent mains like elk or the classic W&G burger—perfect for pairing with a cocktail or two. More than just a bar, Williams & Graham is a storytelling venue. Bartenders, led by third-generation hospitality pros, offer a level of service that feels personal—ask about ingredients or techniques, and they’ll guide you with genuine warmth and knowledge. This spot is consistently celebrated in Denver’s nightlife scene, having won accolades for Best Cocktail Bar and being named among the world’s top speakeasies.