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Lion's Lair
Lion's Lair
TheDrinkNation

20 Colfax Dive Bars For Every Taste

A peek into the seedy underbelly of Denver's bar scene.

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Lion's Lair
| TheDrinkNation

They are crowded, loud, and filled with daily well-specials. All of them are set on the longest street in America: Colfax Avenue.

Did we miss your favorite Colfax dive? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Pete's Satire Restaurant & Lounge

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Denverites will recognize the gaudy neon sign which vaguely advertises "mixed drinks" looming over a stretch of central Colfax. This iconic sign sits atop none other than the Satire Lounge, part of Pete Contos' Colfax empire.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151939216773381&set=p.10151939216773381&type=3&theater

Lost Lake Lounge

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Live music is the name of the game at Lost Lake. The east Colfax hole-in-the-wall music venue gets some remarkably good acts.
https://www.facebook.com/112867205402534/photos/a.149945075028080.29559.112867205402534/961353560553890/?type=3&theater

The Elm

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Don't be fooled by the Boston sports bar's no-frills exterior- The Elm serves some of the best burgers on the east end of Colfax.
https://www.facebook.com/theElmDenver/photos/pb.40921531796.-2207520000.1444763311./10152360269291797/?type=3&theater

Casa Bonita

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Can we call Casa Bonita a dive bar? Well, it serves alcohol and it is a true dive- it just happens to have an indoor amusement park as well.
https://www.facebook.com/casabonitadenver/photos/a.485043858206027.107001.168017253242024/914290068614735/?type=3&theater

Streets of London Pub

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Punk rock and pizza are a way of life at Streets of London Pub, known fondly as simply "streets" by its die-hard regulars.
https://www.facebook.com/streetsoflondonpub/photos/pb.176509002880.-2207520000.1444763952./10152970367262881/?type=3&theater

PS Lounge

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Travel to a simpler time at the PS Lounge. This classic Colfax haunt doesn't accept plastic but does give a fresh rose to every female to walk through the door and does dole out shots of mysterious, orange "Alabama Slammer" to every bar patron. The antiquated jukebox selections will confirm that you have indeed, traveled back in time.
https://www.facebook.com/456421657798726/photos/pb.456421657798726.-2207520000.1444763626./520316311409260/?type=3&theater

Charlie's Denver

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Charlie's is a whirlwind combination of gay bar, nightclub, line dancing hub, and dive. If you prefer your dive bars with drag queens and choreographed dancing, this is your spot.
https://www.facebook.com/officialcharliesdenver/photos/pb.334093066687650.-2207520000.1444764477./1076564365773846/?type=3&theater

Hangar Bar

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This sketchy east Colfax gem has been around since 1938, serving up the cheapest and stiffest of adult beverages. The focal point of the bar is undoubtedly the beer can bomber, constructed from hundreds of old beer cans and hanging precariously from the ceiling.
https://www.facebook.com/hangardenver/photos/a.343311849050896.77752.343287139053367/785628214819255/?type=3&theater

The Ram Lounge

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The Ram Lounge is not for the faint of heart. One must be a true trailblazer of divey forays into dingy establishments to build up a skin thick enough for this place. Shots of saccharine peach brandy are distributed throughout the bar on the house when the Broncos score, and on Sunday nights, guests can enjoy a complimentary spread of various food items. Take the ultimate dive at the Ram Lounge.
https://www.facebook.com/127580057252004/photos/a.167383259938350.40529.127580057252004/129728513703825/?type=3&theater

Lion's Lair

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Another dive of the music venue variety, Lion's Lair is a dark chasm in the fabric of Colfax with no windows to the outside world and a strange, splashy exterior. Don't judge a dive by its facade- the Lion's Lair hosts some of the best up-and-coming bands that Denver has to offer.
https://www.facebook.com/lionslairdenver/photos/a.212664868849808.46032.207599902689638/661068820676075/?type=3&theater

Nob Hill Inn

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For a particularly lurid exposure to the Colfax dive bar spectacle, take the plunge into Nob Hill Inn. The weathered yet friendly bar staff pours the stiffest drinks in town. Be warned that this is not a good spot for a large group- the layout is rather labyrinthine and unnavigable, but some see this as one of its many seedy charms.
https://www.facebook.com/205532859604209/photos/a.205533996270762.1073741825.205532859604209/205543069603188/?type=3&theater

R & R Denver

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Another in the category of gay Colfax dive bars, R&R calls itself "the friendliest little gay bar on Denver's east side." Patrons of all sexual orientations are welcome at this fun, low-key dive.
https://www.facebook.com/randrdenver/photos/pb.116609055046962.-2207520000.1444764869./983034315071094/?type=3&theater

City Grille

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City Grille falls on the restaurant end of the dive bar spectrum. This Cap Hill watering hole is frequented by both government types who work at the Capitol and vagrants of Colfax for the legendary burgers, divey yet cozy atmosphere, and fun bar service.
https://www.facebook.com/Citygrille/photos/pb.110203475734156.-2207520000.1444764018./119403468147490/?type=3&theater
The Viking may draw a hard crowd that is particularly rough around the edges, but it has its redeeming qualities. During Broncos games, touchdowns merit free shots for everyone in the bar and you can even snag a crock pot burrito if you get hungry.
https://www.facebook.com/TheVikingBar1/photos/a.203429609687325.50174.114173721946248/203429613020658/?type=3&theater

Sancho's Broken Arrow

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Calling all dead heads: Sancho's Broken Arrow has cheap drinks and Grateful Dead jams on the airwaves 100% of the time. Sancho's is the perfect heady dive stop for a drink before a show at the Fillmore.
https://www.facebook.com/137153659728051/photos/pb.137153659728051.-2207520000.1444764396./211455448964538/?type=3&theater

Satellite Bar

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Satellite is a fitting dive for beer snobs. Don't worry, it still serves frosty cans of Shlitz for $1.50 and the like, but alongside microbrew drafts, bottles, and cans. Stop in for the infamous PB&J: a shot of Jameson and a PBR.
https://www.facebook.com/60332630809/photos/a.10150651314240810.384495.60332630809/10150651314245810/?type=3&theater

Squire Lounge

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Many-an epic night begins at the Squire Lounge, where bar-goers are likely to see multiple fights break out, the blue and red melange of ambulance lights directly outside, and little else due to over-intoxication. If you do take the dive, be sure to go on a night when there is live music and order the Bionic Beaver, a monstrous 52-ounce pitcher of the bartender's choosing, served with about a dozen straws for your sharing pleasure.
https://www.facebook.com/thesquirelounge/photos/a.10150783402712994.472708.97367602993/10151333251592994/?type=3&theater

The Frontier Club

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The Frontier Club may be deep- so deep in fact, that its address isn't Denver but Aurora. The journey is well worth it to this Western-themed dive with live music and tons of fun events.
https://www.facebook.com/thefrontierclub/photos/a.10151359075878960.502129.105072963959/10153089641578960/?type=3&theater

Prohibition

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Not your down and dirty spot, Prohibition still brings the divey vibe with great happy hour specials on both well drinks and drafts.

The Three Lions: A World Football Pub

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A pub and sports bar, the bustling Three Lions is casual and makes quick regulars out of its guests.

Pete's Satire Restaurant & Lounge

Denverites will recognize the gaudy neon sign which vaguely advertises "mixed drinks" looming over a stretch of central Colfax. This iconic sign sits atop none other than the Satire Lounge, part of Pete Contos' Colfax empire.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151939216773381&set=p.10151939216773381&type=3&theater

Lost Lake Lounge

Live music is the name of the game at Lost Lake. The east Colfax hole-in-the-wall music venue gets some remarkably good acts.
https://www.facebook.com/112867205402534/photos/a.149945075028080.29559.112867205402534/961353560553890/?type=3&theater

The Elm

Don't be fooled by the Boston sports bar's no-frills exterior- The Elm serves some of the best burgers on the east end of Colfax.
https://www.facebook.com/theElmDenver/photos/pb.40921531796.-2207520000.1444763311./10152360269291797/?type=3&theater

Casa Bonita

Can we call Casa Bonita a dive bar? Well, it serves alcohol and it is a true dive- it just happens to have an indoor amusement park as well.
https://www.facebook.com/casabonitadenver/photos/a.485043858206027.107001.168017253242024/914290068614735/?type=3&theater

Streets of London Pub

Punk rock and pizza are a way of life at Streets of London Pub, known fondly as simply "streets" by its die-hard regulars.
https://www.facebook.com/streetsoflondonpub/photos/pb.176509002880.-2207520000.1444763952./10152970367262881/?type=3&theater

PS Lounge

Travel to a simpler time at the PS Lounge. This classic Colfax haunt doesn't accept plastic but does give a fresh rose to every female to walk through the door and does dole out shots of mysterious, orange "Alabama Slammer" to every bar patron. The antiquated jukebox selections will confirm that you have indeed, traveled back in time.
https://www.facebook.com/456421657798726/photos/pb.456421657798726.-2207520000.1444763626./520316311409260/?type=3&theater

Charlie's Denver

Charlie's is a whirlwind combination of gay bar, nightclub, line dancing hub, and dive. If you prefer your dive bars with drag queens and choreographed dancing, this is your spot.
https://www.facebook.com/officialcharliesdenver/photos/pb.334093066687650.-2207520000.1444764477./1076564365773846/?type=3&theater

Hangar Bar

This sketchy east Colfax gem has been around since 1938, serving up the cheapest and stiffest of adult beverages. The focal point of the bar is undoubtedly the beer can bomber, constructed from hundreds of old beer cans and hanging precariously from the ceiling.
https://www.facebook.com/hangardenver/photos/a.343311849050896.77752.343287139053367/785628214819255/?type=3&theater

The Ram Lounge

The Ram Lounge is not for the faint of heart. One must be a true trailblazer of divey forays into dingy establishments to build up a skin thick enough for this place. Shots of saccharine peach brandy are distributed throughout the bar on the house when the Broncos score, and on Sunday nights, guests can enjoy a complimentary spread of various food items. Take the ultimate dive at the Ram Lounge.
https://www.facebook.com/127580057252004/photos/a.167383259938350.40529.127580057252004/129728513703825/?type=3&theater

Lion's Lair

Another dive of the music venue variety, Lion's Lair is a dark chasm in the fabric of Colfax with no windows to the outside world and a strange, splashy exterior. Don't judge a dive by its facade- the Lion's Lair hosts some of the best up-and-coming bands that Denver has to offer.
https://www.facebook.com/lionslairdenver/photos/a.212664868849808.46032.207599902689638/661068820676075/?type=3&theater

Nob Hill Inn

For a particularly lurid exposure to the Colfax dive bar spectacle, take the plunge into Nob Hill Inn. The weathered yet friendly bar staff pours the stiffest drinks in town. Be warned that this is not a good spot for a large group- the layout is rather labyrinthine and unnavigable, but some see this as one of its many seedy charms.
https://www.facebook.com/205532859604209/photos/a.205533996270762.1073741825.205532859604209/205543069603188/?type=3&theater

R & R Denver

Another in the category of gay Colfax dive bars, R&R calls itself "the friendliest little gay bar on Denver's east side." Patrons of all sexual orientations are welcome at this fun, low-key dive.
https://www.facebook.com/randrdenver/photos/pb.116609055046962.-2207520000.1444764869./983034315071094/?type=3&theater

City Grille

City Grille falls on the restaurant end of the dive bar spectrum. This Cap Hill watering hole is frequented by both government types who work at the Capitol and vagrants of Colfax for the legendary burgers, divey yet cozy atmosphere, and fun bar service.
https://www.facebook.com/Citygrille/photos/pb.110203475734156.-2207520000.1444764018./119403468147490/?type=3&theater

Viking

The Viking may draw a hard crowd that is particularly rough around the edges, but it has its redeeming qualities. During Broncos games, touchdowns merit free shots for everyone in the bar and you can even snag a crock pot burrito if you get hungry.
https://www.facebook.com/TheVikingBar1/photos/a.203429609687325.50174.114173721946248/203429613020658/?type=3&theater

Sancho's Broken Arrow

Calling all dead heads: Sancho's Broken Arrow has cheap drinks and Grateful Dead jams on the airwaves 100% of the time. Sancho's is the perfect heady dive stop for a drink before a show at the Fillmore.
https://www.facebook.com/137153659728051/photos/pb.137153659728051.-2207520000.1444764396./211455448964538/?type=3&theater

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Satellite Bar

Satellite is a fitting dive for beer snobs. Don't worry, it still serves frosty cans of Shlitz for $1.50 and the like, but alongside microbrew drafts, bottles, and cans. Stop in for the infamous PB&J: a shot of Jameson and a PBR.
https://www.facebook.com/60332630809/photos/a.10150651314240810.384495.60332630809/10150651314245810/?type=3&theater

Squire Lounge

Many-an epic night begins at the Squire Lounge, where bar-goers are likely to see multiple fights break out, the blue and red melange of ambulance lights directly outside, and little else due to over-intoxication. If you do take the dive, be sure to go on a night when there is live music and order the Bionic Beaver, a monstrous 52-ounce pitcher of the bartender's choosing, served with about a dozen straws for your sharing pleasure.
https://www.facebook.com/thesquirelounge/photos/a.10150783402712994.472708.97367602993/10151333251592994/?type=3&theater

The Frontier Club

The Frontier Club may be deep- so deep in fact, that its address isn't Denver but Aurora. The journey is well worth it to this Western-themed dive with live music and tons of fun events.
https://www.facebook.com/thefrontierclub/photos/a.10151359075878960.502129.105072963959/10153089641578960/?type=3&theater

Prohibition

Not your down and dirty spot, Prohibition still brings the divey vibe with great happy hour specials on both well drinks and drafts.

The Three Lions: A World Football Pub

A pub and sports bar, the bustling Three Lions is casual and makes quick regulars out of its guests.

Related Maps