More than ever before, Denver's bars and restaurants are offering elevated cocktail menus, with culinary inspired drinks, house made syrups and bitters, and locally distilled spirits. Which brings us to the question of where—where should I drink right now? What are the new cocktail joints? Where’s hot to get a cocktail? Thus, we offer the Eater Cocktail Heatmap, which cycles seasonally to highlight the hot spots of the Denver sport of drinking. This season's heatmap is a blend of old classic watering holes and freshly opened hot spots.
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.
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Freshly opened, Acorn presents a thoughtful cocktail menu featuring a cocktail on tap: a whiskey soda flavored with apples and spices. Guests should not miss the Momo RiNo and Crossing the Tracks cocktails either.
Barman Kevin Burke has a way with classic cocktails so don't be shy to order any of your old favorites. And if you're in the mood for something different, give the "Huge Mistake" a try. The three-ingredient cocktail includes W.L. Weller 107 proof bourbon, Strega liquore, and lemon.
The two and a half year old 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.
Sean Kenyon's speakeasy attracts some of Denver's best bartending talent. Right now, behind the bar, you can find Chad Michael George, Nick Touch, and Jason Patz. Ask these fine gentlemen to fix you up one of the signature cocktails or go for the Yubari King Fix, a current star on the menu.
The ping pong and Asian-inspired eatery features an ever-changing line-up of cocktails from bartender Randy Layman. Right now, try the Double Happiness, made with Leopold Bros. Navy Strength Gin, Campari, lemon, sugar, and a few dashes of Leopold Bros. Absinthe.
The intriguing cocktail menu at CapRock features Peak Spirits out of Hotchkiss, and offers nine specialty cocktails all bearing meaningful names, starting with The Greenhouse, which blends CapRock gin, bell pepper syrup, lime, rosemary and black pepper.
The Uptown hip spot welcomes both cocktail nerds and newbies. From barrel-aged cocktails to classics, everything is crafted with care under the direction of bar manager Ryan Layman. A favorite of the moment is the Immigrant, a drink made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, Fernet Branca, Averna, and Leopold's Bros. Maraschino Liqueur.
On the stunning rooftop patio or inside, guests enjoy the fabulous views and a selection of cocktails that range from twists on classics to signature of the LoHi hot spot. Don't be shy, try the Coconut Daiquiri if you feel like it, but don't miss the Devil Inside.
Spuntino just received its liquor license and no time was wasted on starting to serve carefully crafted cocktails. Right now on the menu: the Bourbonator, a whiskey and basil cocktail, and the Pear Martini, a vodka drink mixed with elderflower liqueur, ruby port, St. Germaine, and pear puree.
Bryan Dayton, co-owner and well-recognized mixologist, built a cocktail program that keeps guests coming in for another one. Highlights include low alcohol cocktails, house-made sodas, and the Oaxacan Summertime, a drink made with muddled cherries, reposado tequila, creme the cassis, lime juice, honey syrup, and orange bitters.
Serving a surprisingly interesting food and dessert menu, the Bitter Bar remains a no-brainer choice for crafted cocktails in Boulder. The cocktail menu is divided into three sections: Crisp & Refreshing, Adventurous, and Boozy. Don't miss the Backhand.
The newest opening on the heatmap offers unique portioning of cocktails: half orders, singles, doubles, and Erlenmeyer beakers meant for four. The cocktail menu is organized by seasonal flavors, many of them created in-house with proprietary syrups. Session also makes its own ice.
Freshly opened, Acorn presents a thoughtful cocktail menu featuring a cocktail on tap: a whiskey soda flavored with apples and spices. Guests should not miss the Momo RiNo and Crossing the Tracks cocktails either.
Barman Kevin Burke has a way with classic cocktails so don't be shy to order any of your old favorites. And if you're in the mood for something different, give the "Huge Mistake" a try. The three-ingredient cocktail includes W.L. Weller 107 proof bourbon, Strega liquore, and lemon.
The two and a half year old 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.
Sean Kenyon's speakeasy attracts some of Denver's best bartending talent. Right now, behind the bar, you can find Chad Michael George, Nick Touch, and Jason Patz. Ask these fine gentlemen to fix you up one of the signature cocktails or go for the Yubari King Fix, a current star on the menu.
The ping pong and Asian-inspired eatery features an ever-changing line-up of cocktails from bartender Randy Layman. Right now, try the Double Happiness, made with Leopold Bros. Navy Strength Gin, Campari, lemon, sugar, and a few dashes of Leopold Bros. Absinthe.
The intriguing cocktail menu at CapRock features Peak Spirits out of Hotchkiss, and offers nine specialty cocktails all bearing meaningful names, starting with The Greenhouse, which blends CapRock gin, bell pepper syrup, lime, rosemary and black pepper.
The Uptown hip spot welcomes both cocktail nerds and newbies. From barrel-aged cocktails to classics, everything is crafted with care under the direction of bar manager Ryan Layman. A favorite of the moment is the Immigrant, a drink made with Jameson Irish Whiskey, Fernet Branca, Averna, and Leopold's Bros. Maraschino Liqueur.
On the stunning rooftop patio or inside, guests enjoy the fabulous views and a selection of cocktails that range from twists on classics to signature of the LoHi hot spot. Don't be shy, try the Coconut Daiquiri if you feel like it, but don't miss the Devil Inside.
Spuntino just received its liquor license and no time was wasted on starting to serve carefully crafted cocktails. Right now on the menu: the Bourbonator, a whiskey and basil cocktail, and the Pear Martini, a vodka drink mixed with elderflower liqueur, ruby port, St. Germaine, and pear puree.
Bryan Dayton, co-owner and well-recognized mixologist, built a cocktail program that keeps guests coming in for another one. Highlights include low alcohol cocktails, house-made sodas, and the Oaxacan Summertime, a drink made with muddled cherries, reposado tequila, creme the cassis, lime juice, honey syrup, and orange bitters.
Serving a surprisingly interesting food and dessert menu, the Bitter Bar remains a no-brainer choice for crafted cocktails in Boulder. The cocktail menu is divided into three sections: Crisp & Refreshing, Adventurous, and Boozy. Don't miss the Backhand.
The newest opening on the heatmap offers unique portioning of cocktails: half orders, singles, doubles, and Erlenmeyer beakers meant for four. The cocktail menu is organized by seasonal flavors, many of them created in-house with proprietary syrups. Session also makes its own ice.
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