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Cheers to a world where cocktails rule!

by Andra Zeppelin Oct 12, 2015, 1:55pm MDT

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by Andra Zeppelin Oct 12, 2015, 1:55pm MDT

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The Denver cocktail scene is growing faster than you can say "hand carved ice." House-made ingredients from juices to bitters, fancy glassware, and an obsession with new and creative garnishes are the elements that make our cocktail world better every single day.

This list focuses on cocktail bars but some restaurants with exceptional cocktail programs have also been included. Did we miss your favorite? Drop it in the comments of send it down the tipline.

Disclosure: the editor is married to one of the developers behind The Source.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Ste Ellie

1553 Platte Street
Denver, CO 80202

(303) 477-1477

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Less than a year old, Ste. Ellie, sister bar to Colt & Gray, quickly became a favorite of cocktail aficionados. Bar manager Kevin Burke makes stunning classic cocktails and rotates a list of original drinks that seem to have something for every taste. Any riff on the Negroni is worth a try here.

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2. Williams & Graham

3160 Tejon St
Denver, CO 80211

(303) 997-8886

Visit Website

Recently named the Best American Bar at the Spirited Awards, Sean Kenyon's speakeasy has become a Denver institution. The signature cocktail menu changes with the seasons so try the summer offerings now before they get retired.

Also Featured in:

3. Acorn

3350 Brighton Blvd
Denver, CO 80216

(720) 542-3721

Visit Website

Sit at the bar or in the dining room, but always get a cocktail at this popular RiNo restaurant. Bar manager Alex Parks along with owner and mixologist Bryan Dayton serve drinks like the Blessed Satisfaction, with Hendrick's, Drambuie 15, cardamaro and Dram Apothecary chamomile bitters.

Also Featured in:

4. Green Russell

1422 Larimer St.
Denver, CO 80202

(303) 893-6505

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The LoDo speakeasy serves Prohibition era-themed cocktails in a cozy environment. Tell the bartender what you like and allow him or her to work some magic into your crafted drink.

Also Featured in:

5. OAK at fourteenth

1400 Pearl St
Boulder, CO 80302

(303) 444-3622

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Bryan Dayton, co-owner and well-recognized mixologist, built a cocktail program that keeps Boulderites coming in for another one. Highlights include low alcohol cocktails and house-made fizzes like this season's melon chamomile soda.

Also Featured in:

The Ultimate Guide to Dining in Boulder

6. Mercantile Dining & Provision

1701 Wynkoop Street
Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202

(720) 460-3733

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You can enjoy a cocktail at the bar, in the dining room, or on the patio where one may be made from the bar cart located there while the weather is still warm. Give the ‪Redheaded Stranger - a combination of tequila, Aperol, watermelon‬, and sparkling rose- a try.

Also Featured in:

7. RiNo Yacht Club

3350 Brighton Boulevard
Denver, CO 80216

720-443-1135

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Bartender Mclain Hedges leads the cocktail program at this spot popular with industry folks. Try the Birds of a Feather, a drink that mixes Pisco, Ruby Port, hum, lime, and gum syrup.

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8. The Cooper Lounge

1701 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80211

720) 460-3738

Visit Website

Classic is what the Cooper Lounge is all about. Get a martini and enjoy the stunning space plus table-side prepped dishes like Caesar salad or steak tartare.

Also Featured in:

10 Hot Cocktails for Cold Denver Nights

9. Union Lodge No. 1

1543 Champa Street
Denver, CO 80202

(720) 389-0447

Visit Website

This quaint bar from the team behind the Arvada Tavern is the perfect spot for a cocktail Downtown. The staff is friendly and the vibe very chill.

10. Bar Fausto

3126 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80205

(720) 445-9691

Visit Website

Opened earlier this fall, Bar Fausto is the spot to be for creative crafted cocktails. There are ten signature drinks on the menu plus 30 classics to choose from.

Also Featured in:

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11. The Bitter Bar

835 Walnut St
Boulder, CO 80302

(303) 442-3050

Visit Website

Creative drinks that are well-priced is what the name of the game is at this now-classic cocktail bar owned by bartender James Lee.

12. Adrift Tiki

218 s Broadway
Denver, CO 80209

(303) 778-8454

Visit Website

This temple to South Pacific drinking on South Broadway is the only true tiki experience in the Mile High City.

13. The Arvada Tavern

5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd
Arvada, CO 80002

(303) 690-6269

Visit Website

In an unexpected location, the bar team at this Olde Town Arvada bar offers creative drinks shaken and stirred by some of the best bar talent around.

Also Featured in:

14. Steuben's

523 E 17th Ave
Denver, CO 80203

(303) 830-1001

Visit Website

This Uptown modern diner has always maintained one of Denver's top cocktail programs. Grab a barstool or sit at a table but always give the "favorites" section a shot.

Also Featured in:

15. Colt & Gray

1553 Platte St
Denver, CO 80202

(303) 477-1447

Visit Website

Sure sister bar Ste. Ellie gets more attention on the mixed drink front, but if you grab a seat at this five year old restaurant, you are sure to get a top notch cocktail.

16. Golden Moon Speak

1111 Miners Aly
Golden, CO 80401

Visit Website

With a distillery that creates many of its spirits next door, this Golden bar offers classic cocktails with a twist.

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1. Ste Ellie

1553 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202

Less than a year old, Ste. Ellie, sister bar to Colt & Gray, quickly became a favorite of cocktail aficionados. Bar manager Kevin Burke makes stunning classic cocktails and rotates a list of original drinks that seem to have something for every taste. Any riff on the Negroni is worth a try here.

1553 Platte Street
Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

2. Williams & Graham

3160 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211

Recently named the Best American Bar at the Spirited Awards, Sean Kenyon's speakeasy has become a Denver institution. The signature cocktail menu changes with the seasons so try the summer offerings now before they get retired.

3160 Tejon St
Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

3. Acorn

3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216

Sit at the bar or in the dining room, but always get a cocktail at this popular RiNo restaurant. Bar manager Alex Parks along with owner and mixologist Bryan Dayton serve drinks like the Blessed Satisfaction, with Hendrick's, Drambuie 15, cardamaro and Dram Apothecary chamomile bitters.

3350 Brighton Blvd
Denver, CO 80216

Visit Website

4. Green Russell

1422 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202

The LoDo speakeasy serves Prohibition era-themed cocktails in a cozy environment. Tell the bartender what you like and allow him or her to work some magic into your crafted drink.

1422 Larimer St.
Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

5. OAK at fourteenth

1400 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

Bryan Dayton, co-owner and well-recognized mixologist, built a cocktail program that keeps Boulderites coming in for another one. Highlights include low alcohol cocktails and house-made fizzes like this season's melon chamomile soda.

1400 Pearl St
Boulder, CO 80302

Visit Website

6. Mercantile Dining & Provision

1701 Wynkoop Street, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202

You can enjoy a cocktail at the bar, in the dining room, or on the patio where one may be made from the bar cart located there while the weather is still warm. Give the ‪Redheaded Stranger - a combination of tequila, Aperol, watermelon‬, and sparkling rose- a try.

1701 Wynkoop Street
Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

7. RiNo Yacht Club

3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216

Bartender Mclain Hedges leads the cocktail program at this spot popular with industry folks. Try the Birds of a Feather, a drink that mixes Pisco, Ruby Port, hum, lime, and gum syrup.

3350 Brighton Boulevard
Denver, CO 80216

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

8. The Cooper Lounge

1701 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO 80211

Classic is what the Cooper Lounge is all about. Get a martini and enjoy the stunning space plus table-side prepped dishes like Caesar salad or steak tartare.

1701 Wynkoop Street
Denver, CO 80211

Visit Website

9. Union Lodge No. 1

1543 Champa Street, Denver, CO 80202

This quaint bar from the team behind the Arvada Tavern is the perfect spot for a cocktail Downtown. The staff is friendly and the vibe very chill.

1543 Champa Street
Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

10. Bar Fausto

3126 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

Opened earlier this fall, Bar Fausto is the spot to be for creative crafted cocktails. There are ten signature drinks on the menu plus 30 classics to choose from.

3126 Larimer St
Denver, CO 80205

Visit Website

11. The Bitter Bar

835 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80302

Creative drinks that are well-priced is what the name of the game is at this now-classic cocktail bar owned by bartender James Lee.

835 Walnut St
Boulder, CO 80302

Visit Website

12. Adrift Tiki

218 s Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

This temple to South Pacific drinking on South Broadway is the only true tiki experience in the Mile High City.

218 s Broadway
Denver, CO 80209

Visit Website

13. The Arvada Tavern

5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80002

In an unexpected location, the bar team at this Olde Town Arvada bar offers creative drinks shaken and stirred by some of the best bar talent around.

5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd
Arvada, CO 80002

Visit Website

14. Steuben's

523 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

This Uptown modern diner has always maintained one of Denver's top cocktail programs. Grab a barstool or sit at a table but always give the "favorites" section a shot.

523 E 17th Ave
Denver, CO 80203

Visit Website

15. Colt & Gray

1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202

Sure sister bar Ste. Ellie gets more attention on the mixed drink front, but if you grab a seat at this five year old restaurant, you are sure to get a top notch cocktail.

1553 Platte St
Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Related Maps

16. Golden Moon Speak

1111 Miners Aly, Golden, CO 80401

With a distillery that creates many of its spirits next door, this Golden bar offers classic cocktails with a twist.

1111 Miners Aly
Golden, CO 80401

Visit Website

Related Maps