Cocktails Now Served on Tap at Many Bars and Restaurants

Cocktails are slowly but surely taking over the taps in some Denver restaurants and bars. Here's where to find the best cocktails on tap in the metro area.

by Andra Zeppelin Oct 29, 2014, 1:09pm MDT

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Custom tap system at the Nickel

| Adam Larkey

by Andra Zeppelin Oct 29, 2014, 1:09pm MDT

Cocktails are finding their way into the taps of some of Denver's best restaurants and bars. These aren't the down-and-dirty Jose Cuervo draft margaritas, but rather precisely executed spirit combinations that are remain stable when combined and stored that way.

Adam Hodak, beverage director at Bonanno Concepts, has been a pioneer of the trend in Denver, beginning at the Lancer Lounge. "Wine started going on draft a few years ago, and that’s when the technology was there to allow for cocktails to go on draft properly. What happens is, high acid eats away at the tubing and the stainless. So wine and cocktails taps have to have a different type of tubing and stainless," he explained.

Jake Linzinmeir of the Nickel, explained how drafted cocktails work at the restaurant located in the Hotel Teatro: "The cocktails are made in large batches, ranging from 3 to 15 Liters depending on the drink. Some are then aged in oak barrels. Then they are placed in Micromatic kegs, which are metal kegs that are pressurized with a Nitrogen gas, which allows them to be poured from the spout."

Here's where to find the best cocktails on tap in the metro area (and beyond!).

OAK at fourteenth

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The acclaimed Boulder restaurant serves the 14th Street Soda on tap. The drink features Landy VS Cognac, yellow chartreuse, spiced apple, and lemon.

1400 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

(303) 444-3622

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Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace

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Bartender Kyle West's own mojito concoction is on tap at this Latin kitchen and bar in Boulder.

950 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302

(303) 442-7771

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Wynkoop Brewing Co.

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This LoDo brewery boasts a Mai Tai cocktail on tap with Bacardi 8 Year Rum, lime juice, Marie Brizzard orange and Orgeat syrup.

1634 18th St, Denver, CO 80202

(303) 297-2700

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The Mainline Ale House

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Make the trip to Fort Collins to try the selection of cocktails on tap at this alehouse. The Mainline Hooch is made with Bourbon whiskey, Orange Marmalade Shrub and teakoe sweet tea. The Full Monty is made with 42 Below Vodka, Marie Brizard Peach, Campari, lemon and lime juice and mint soda. Plus they always have a rotating craft cocktail on tap.

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125 S College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524

(970) 449-5601

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Vesper Lounge

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The drink menu at this casual bar and eatery owned by chef Frank Bonanno boasts several options for cocktails on tap: Paloma, Silver Bombay Fizz, Boulevardier, Hawaiian John Daly, Dark & Stormy, and Old Fashioned.

233 E 7th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

(720) 328-0314

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The Nickel

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The restaurant, located inside Hotel Teatro, offers several cocktails on tap. Among them, the Standard Rock Manhattan, the Nickel Negroni, La Perla, Aperol Wit, and Seven-Nickel.

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1100 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202

(720) 889-2128

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Cart Driver

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This RiNo spot has four batched cocktails on tap. The Whiskey Daisy is made with rye, strega, lemon, and basil. Little Italy features rye, cynar, carpano, and c.p. cherry. The Negroni combines gin, campari, and carpano. The Spritz is made with aperol and prosecco.

2500 Larimer Street #100 Denver, CO 80205

(303) 292-3553

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