Bars and nightlife in Denver

Come for the Instagram snaps and stay for the classic cocktails – including martinis, sidecars, and gimlets – at The Cruise Room inside The Oxford Hotel in LoDo. Opened in 1933 and inspired by the Queen Mary for its Art Deco design, The Cruise is one of the city’s oldest bars. There are small bites available in addition to the drinks menu. There is no dress code, but no one would look out of place here if they decided to throw on their flapper dress or zoot suit. The Cruise Room is as likely to be filled with tourists as locals on any given night.

Address: 1600 17th St

There are a few bars inside Union Station, but the one with the best view of this historic building is the Cooper Lounge. To get here, you need to find the staircase at the south end of the station and ascend to the second floor, then walk down the hallway east toward the bar. Huge windows at either end of the station provide natural light and a sense of expansiveness over the building’s stunning Great Hall where you might hear live music or see holiday décor. Classic cocktails, wine, and small bites are available. Given the small space, reservations are recommended, especially for larger groups.

Address: 1701 Wynkoop St.

Death & Co. is in the lobby of the Ramble Hotel and I can sum it up in one word: sexy. This is the type of place where you could get away with your shorts and sandals, but why not put on that slinky dress or a new suit and fit right in? Rather than just order drinks, plan for a discussion with your server or bartender about what’s trending or seasonally fresh ingredients. There’s a non-alcoholic menu for the mocktail set here too. In addition to drinks like Disco Kitten, Worried About the Weather, and Frontier Psychiatrist, there is a full beer and wine menu. The food menu is small but will take the edge off your boozy night.

Address: 1280 25th St.

During the Prohibition years, people found creative ways to still have bars and the most popular version that has endured was the “speakeasy.” The idea of being a secret is a bit of a joke given that they usually have a line down the street waiting to get in, but once inside the vibe is real as you wait for an attendant to allow you in behind the faux bookcase. Once in the bar, it’s dimly lit and intimate. For those who don’t want to take a chance, make a reservation here for their tasty bites and creative cocktails.

Address: 3160 Tejon St.

The Infinite Monkey Theorem was founded in a Quonset hut in a back alley in Denver and was so popular it moved to an old warehouse where it became possible to offer tours of their winemaking process. Wine in a can? You can get it here. Wine with yoga? Sure. Food trucks provide light bites. Book ahead for wine tastings and tours at the Infinite Monkey Theorem, or just pop in to relax in the “industrial chic” ambiance while sampling their Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, or Cabernet Franc. Today, Infinite Monkey Theorem is woman-owned and strives to appeal to female customers.

Address: 3200 Larimer St.

Carboy Winery has four locations in Colorado and is all about celebrating Colorado-made wines. Although not all of the wine here was made with grapes grown in-state, each bottle has a story about its provenance. Reservations are encouraged and walk-ins are welcome if there is room. Plan ahead for tastings and tours at Carboy Winery. When drinking wines here, you can feel good about your environmental impact, too, as the company believes in carbon farming and regenerative agriculture practices, which they strive to implement in their own vineyards.

Address: 400 E. 7th Ave.

The Wynkoop Brewing Company has been in this spot since the late 1980s when Denver’s Lower Downtown (LoDo) neighborhood was still filled with a lot of empty warehouses. You could easily spend a whole day and night here, just sampling different beers, noshing on pub food, and playing some pool. Book a private tour of the brewery in advance. The tap list at the Wynkoop Brewing Company is seasonal, with many items available at all times and some seasonal, much like a farmers’ market. This is competitive beer. so you’ll be learning which ones won various awards at the Great American Beer Festival.

Address: 1634 18th St.

Raices Brewing Company sets itself apart from the competition by being a Latino-owned business with award-winning beer and a Latin-inspired food menu. A non-alcoholic drink menu has a Raices Malt in various sizes, which is an in-house brew to complement the empanadas on the food menu. Their taproom and brews have won many awards over the years: Try the Raiz, Furia, Latina, or Valle del Sol. Check their calendar for upcoming events as they have an eclectic mix of live music, vendors selling handmade goods, and food trucks.

Address: 2060 W. Colfax Ave.

Tracks has been part of the LGTBQ+ scene in Denver for decades and, in addition to the music and dancing offered Wednesday through Saturday nights, they have an active calendar of special events too. There are guest DJ nights, a night for people who are 18 years of age or older, open mic, and drag nights. Don’t be surprised if there is a line to get in here!

Address: 3500 Walnut St.

There is more than jazz music happening at Dazzle with drinks, food, and other types of music performed here. Your ticket is your reservation for the music event; you’ll need to have a another ticket for a second seating. There is a $20 food and drink minimum, in addition to the performance ticket. It’s supper club style where you enjoy dinner and drinks while the music plays.

Address: 1512 Curtis St.

If you like indie music and a gritty location, Larimer Lounge will deliver. This small venue has a wide variety of programming: a bingo night, DJ sets, nights for people who are 16 years and older, and live music with smaller bands, such as Vandelux and Coco & Breezy.

Address: 2721 Larimer St.