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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.

by Andra Zeppelin Oct 23, 2014, 1:29pm MDT

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by Andra Zeppelin Oct 23, 2014, 1:29pm MDT

1 comment / new

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

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.

1962 Market St, Denver, CO 80202

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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.

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60 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

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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.

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3416 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

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.

3 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

Visit Website

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.

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741 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203

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Don's Club Tavern

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

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723 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

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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.

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3834 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

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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.

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701 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80209

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.

2060 Champa St, Denver, CO 80205

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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.

321 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80216

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Lion's Lair

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

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2022 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

Lost Lake Lounge

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3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

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.

Open in Google Maps

383 South Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80209

Visit Website

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 .

Open in Google Maps

3507 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216

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.

721 Quebec St, Denver, CO 80220

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El Chapultepec

1962 Market St, Denver, CO 80202

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.

1962 Market St, Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

3 Kings Tavern

60 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

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

Open in Google Maps

60 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

Visit Website

PS Lounge

3416 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

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.

Open in Google Maps

3416 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Sputnik

3 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

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.

3 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

Visit Website

Sancho's Broken Arrow

741 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203

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.

Open in Google Maps

741 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203

Visit Website

Don's Club Tavern

723 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

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

Open in Google Maps

723 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80203

Visit Website

Berkeley Inn

3834 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

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

Open in Google Maps

3834 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

Visit Website

Campus Lounge

701 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80209

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.

Open in Google Maps

701 S University Blvd, Denver, CO 80209

Bar Bar (Carioca Cafe)

2060 Champa St, Denver, CO 80205

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.

2060 Champa St, Denver, CO 80205

Visit Website

Crash 45

321 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80216

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.

321 E 45th Ave, Denver, CO 80216

Visit Website

Lion's Lair

2022 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

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

Open in Google Maps

2022 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

Lost Lake Lounge

3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Open in Google Maps

3602 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

Candle Light Lounge

383 South Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80209

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.

Open in Google Maps

383 South Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80209

Visit Website

The Filling Station

3507 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216

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 .

Open in Google Maps

3507 Brighton Blvd, Denver, CO 80216

Thunderbird

721 Quebec St, Denver, CO 80220

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.

721 Quebec St, Denver, CO 80220

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