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The Hottest Restaurants in Denver Right Now, Fall 2022

24 Essential Denver Bars

18 Downtown Lunch Options for Every Occasion

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Every Important Denver Cocktail Bar, Mapped

Cheers to a world where cocktails rule!

by Andra Zeppelin
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by Andra Zeppelin
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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.
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Ste Ellie

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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.
1553 Platte Street, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 477-1477
(303) 477-1477

Williams & Graham

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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
(303) 997-8886
(303) 997-8886

Also featured in:

Acorn

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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
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721

Also featured in:

Green Russell

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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.
1422 Larimer St., Denver, CO 80202
(303) 893-6505
(303) 893-6505

Also featured in:

OAK at fourteenth

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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.
1400 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 444-3622
(303) 444-3622

Also featured in:

Mercantile Dining & Provision

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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.
1701 Wynkoop Street, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202
(720) 460-3733
(720) 460-3733

Also featured in:

RiNo Yacht Club

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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.
3350 Brighton Boulevard, Denver, CO 80216
720-443-1135
720-443-1135

The Cooper Lounge

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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
720) 460-3738
720) 460-3738

Also featured in:

Union Lodge No. 1

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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
(720) 389-0447
(720) 389-0447

Bar Fausto

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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
(720) 445-9691
(720) 445-9691

Also featured in:

The Bitter Bar

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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
(303) 442-3050
(303) 442-3050

Adrift Tiki

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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
(303) 778-8454
(303) 778-8454

The Arvada Tavern

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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
(303) 690-6269
(303) 690-6269

Also featured in:

Steuben's

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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
(303) 830-1001
(303) 830-1001

Also featured in:

Colt & Gray

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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
(303) 477-1447
(303) 477-1447

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Golden Moon Speak

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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

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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
(303) 477-1477
(303) 477-1477

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
(303) 997-8886
(303) 997-8886

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
(720) 542-3721
(720) 542-3721

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
(303) 893-6505
(303) 893-6505

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
(303) 444-3622
(303) 444-3622

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
(720) 460-3733
(720) 460-3733

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
720-443-1135
720-443-1135

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
720) 460-3738
720) 460-3738

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
(720) 389-0447
(720) 389-0447

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
(720) 445-9691
(720) 445-9691

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
(303) 442-3050
(303) 442-3050

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
(303) 778-8454
(303) 778-8454

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
(303) 690-6269
(303) 690-6269

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.