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These Are Denver's 15 Iconic Dive Bars

A great dive can hit the spot for cheap drinks, a relaxed atmosphere, and sometimes nice live music.

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Denver loves its restaurants and upscale cocktail bars, but the neighborhood dives, the iconic ones, the beloved ones, home to bar flies, dirty pool tables, juke boxes, and sub-par food, have a special place in the Mile High City's heart. Known for their readiness to pour cheap, stiff drinks to faithful, sometimes awful patrons, these joints have earned their stay in their respective hoods.

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El Chapultepec

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Right by the Ballpark, in a hot location, El Chapultapec is a landmark dive bar of the highest caliber that has had great live jazz since 1978. It is still going strong.

3 Kings Tavern

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Your local Punk Rock tavern. Some of the worst (and best) bands have cut their chops in this little slice of south Broadway.

PS Lounge

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This place is literally a hole in the wall. Everyone that comes in gets a free rose and a free alabama slammer. Rockstar bartender Anika Zappe worked here back in the day.

Sputnik

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This is in the 'high' class of dive bar with real upholstered booths, edible food and rotating art exhibits every month. It used to be connected to the Hi-Dive, but since these Siamese twins got separated, you can find a DJ or similar playing live music in the corner.

Sancho's Broken Arrow

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Sancho’s location (next to the Fillmore, down Across the street from the Fillmore Auditorium, this dive has both the down and dirty vibe and dash of coolness to be popular. Cheap drinks flow and the smell of patchouli permeates the air. Happy hour starts at 4:20 p.m.

Don's Club Tavern

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Just your average neighborhood dive bar, cheap drinks. Cheaper people.

Berkeley Inn

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Dimly lit, home to many bar flies, filled with some arcade cabinets, pool tables, and a juke box, this place defines neighborhood dives.

Campus Lounge

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A college dive bar, Campus Lounge serves decent Mexican and American food. Reasonable prices, friendly service, tiny bathrooms, and a jukebox are to be found there.

Bar Bar (Carioca Cafe)

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Bar Bar, officially named Carioca Cafe, is favorite of hipsters and homeless alike. There are dirty bathrooms, smoking inside, passed out homeless in the bathroom. The Breakfast special (no, they don't serve food) is the eye-opener, available from 7 to 10 am: 3/4 shot of vodka and an 8 oz of beer.

Crash 45

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This has been a bar since Denver was new. There have been a number of changing hands, but it forever was and forever will be a dive.

Lion's Lair

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Old Style on draft, live music, and velvet paintings of lions on the wall. Irresistible.

Lost Lake Lounge

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Candle Light Lounge

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Neighborhood dive with expected greasy grub - think $3 burgers- great shuffle board and other bar games, microbrews, and friendly staff. This place gets loud and bustling at night.

The Filling Station

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Old thrift store and patio furniture inside, a jukebox where none of the songs are in English, and $2 pints in chilly cold glasses. What could be better? Cash only .

Thunderbird

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Located in a strip mall in Lowry, this is an old time bar where service is hit or miss and the drinks are cheap. Regulars love it and see it as a community bar.

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El Chapultepec

Right by the Ballpark, in a hot location, El Chapultapec is a landmark dive bar of the highest caliber that has had great live jazz since 1978. It is still going strong.

3 Kings Tavern

Your local Punk Rock tavern. Some of the worst (and best) bands have cut their chops in this little slice of south Broadway.

PS Lounge

This place is literally a hole in the wall. Everyone that comes in gets a free rose and a free alabama slammer. Rockstar bartender Anika Zappe worked here back in the day.

Sputnik

This is in the 'high' class of dive bar with real upholstered booths, edible food and rotating art exhibits every month. It used to be connected to the Hi-Dive, but since these Siamese twins got separated, you can find a DJ or similar playing live music in the corner.

Sancho's Broken Arrow

Sancho’s location (next to the Fillmore, down Across the street from the Fillmore Auditorium, this dive has both the down and dirty vibe and dash of coolness to be popular. Cheap drinks flow and the smell of patchouli permeates the air. Happy hour starts at 4:20 p.m.

Don's Club Tavern

Just your average neighborhood dive bar, cheap drinks. Cheaper people.

Berkeley Inn

Dimly lit, home to many bar flies, filled with some arcade cabinets, pool tables, and a juke box, this place defines neighborhood dives.

Campus Lounge

A college dive bar, Campus Lounge serves decent Mexican and American food. Reasonable prices, friendly service, tiny bathrooms, and a jukebox are to be found there.

Bar Bar (Carioca Cafe)

Bar Bar, officially named Carioca Cafe, is favorite of hipsters and homeless alike. There are dirty bathrooms, smoking inside, passed out homeless in the bathroom. The Breakfast special (no, they don't serve food) is the eye-opener, available from 7 to 10 am: 3/4 shot of vodka and an 8 oz of beer.

Crash 45

This has been a bar since Denver was new. There have been a number of changing hands, but it forever was and forever will be a dive.

Lion's Lair

Old Style on draft, live music, and velvet paintings of lions on the wall. Irresistible.

Lost Lake Lounge

Candle Light Lounge

Neighborhood dive with expected greasy grub - think $3 burgers- great shuffle board and other bar games, microbrews, and friendly staff. This place gets loud and bustling at night.

The Filling Station

Old thrift store and patio furniture inside, a jukebox where none of the songs are in English, and $2 pints in chilly cold glasses. What could be better? Cash only .

Thunderbird

Located in a strip mall in Lowry, this is an old time bar where service is hit or miss and the drinks are cheap. Regulars love it and see it as a community bar.

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