Denver's Most Unique Bar

Mario's Double Daughter's Salotto - 1632 Market Street in Denver (LoDo)
Hands down the coolest bar we've ever seen. The decor is phenomenal, like something out of a steampunk Alice in Wonderland fantasy world, complete with themed cocktails to go with the ambiance. Desribing it won't do it justice though, so go see for yourself!

Denver's Best Kept Secret

Green Russell - 1422 Larimer Street in Denver (Larimer Square)
You must make a reservation. Green Russell opens at 5pm Wed-Sun, and you enter through a pie shop. The space is small and the seating limited. Tell your seasoned mixologist a flavor you you like, and they will craft an experience to your tastes unlike anything else in Denver. To say they pay attention to detail here would be an understatement. Green Russell is Denver's speakeasy experience; truly a hidden gem to behold.

Best Wine Bar

Trios Enoteca - 1730 Wynkoop Street in Denver (LoDo)
The name literally means "wine library," and they truly live up to their name. Trios Enoteca combines a warm and comfortable environment with rich wines and delicious food.  The happy hour is a terrific bargain and the live music that follows always features genuinely talented musicians.  This is the sort of thing we'd like to see more of in LoDo.

Best Irish Pub

Irish Snug - 1201 East Colfax Avenue in Denver (Capitol Hill)
Live music, stiff drinks, and tasty eats are what makes the Irish Snug our favorite Irish pub in Denver. You'll find a good pub vibe with a welcoming attitude from the locals who frequent this joint. We recommend the pot stickers for a delicious happy hour treat.

Best Happy Hour (Food)

The 9th Door - 1808 Blake Street in Denver (LoDo)
Also the winner of Denver's Best Spanish Tapas, The 9th Door has plenty to offer. In addition to their large selection of delicious cocktails and wines is an equally-sizable palette of tasty tapas, many of which are super cheap during happy hour!

Happy Hour (Drinks)

Encore - 2550 East Colfax Avenue in Denver (Congress Park)
Happy hour is from 4-6pm, and Encore features a number of prohibition-era cocktails that are hard to find in Denver. Offering a complete mixology experience, they also make their own syrups and bitters in-house!

Best Local Band Venue

Meadowlark - 2701 Larimer Street in Denver (Five Points)
Easily the most intimate live music venue in Denver, Meadowlark regularly hosts local bands. The bar features a larger patio stage for bands to play on during the summer, and a smaller one for the winter in its cozy basement setting. If you like indie music and cozy dives, you'll feel right at home.

Best Jazz Lounge

Jazz at Jack's - 500 16th Street in Denver (16th Street Mall)
This swanky downtown jazz lounge has live acts almost seven days a week.  They have a generous, modern interior and a great year-round patio. Some of the best live acts in Denver perform here!

Best European Beer Garden

Cheeky Monk - 534 E Colfax Avenue in Denver (Uptown)
This is THE place for beer connoisseurs. The Cheeky Monk offers a variety of hard-to-find gems like Delirium Tremens, most of which are Belgian. If you're planning on ordering a Bud Light, go somewhere else - this place is not for you.

Largest Selection of Beers on Tap

The Yard House - 1555 Court Place in Denver (Central Business District)
One of the few chains you'll find in our list, and there's a reason we made an exception.  The YardHouse has more beers on tap that you've ever seen, a terrific happy hour with half-priced appetizers, and they can mix up brews as well as a martini lounge mixes cocktails.

Best Local Brewery

Wynkoop Brewing Company - 1634 18th Street in Denver (LoDo)
Wynkoop is a local staple for beer-lovers, offering a wide variety of locally-brewed, seasonal beers in addition to food, pool, and plenty of seating. Warning: expect a packed house on game days!

Best View of Denver

Vita - 1575 Boulder Street in Denver (Highlands)
This popular Denver Highlands eatery bills itself as Coastal Mexican cuisine.  It is reminiscent of California-style: plenty of black beans, fresh avocado and lightly spiced seafood dishes.  Their patio is always packed on a warm day and tequila flights and live flamenco guitar really class up the Mexican dining experience.

Best Cocktail

Root Down - 1600 W 33rd Avenue in Denver (Highlands)
The Rosemary-Lavender Lemonade at Root Down is to die for.  Try all of their classic cocktails and homespun healthful food in a hip, modern setting.  This place REALLY fills up for brunch.

Best Lounge

Second Home Kitchen + Bar - 150 Clayton Lane in Denver (Cherry Creek)
So named for it's comfort food menu, at Second Home can get you just the right fix of what grandma used to make ya: all in the classiest, most decadent patio/lounge in Denver.  They've got grown-up versions of all the best classics from meatloaf to chicken and waffles, made all the more scrumptious by the fantastic chef, of course.

Best Patio

Red Square Euro Bistro - 1512 Larimer Street in Denver (Writer's Square)
Tucked away in cozy Writer's Square off of Larimer you will find Red Square, a Russsian + European bistro with a plethora of house-infused vodkas, in addition to many other drinks. Come here to drink or eat, you won't be disappointed either way - but make sure you try their amazing infused vodkas! To top it all off, they have a lovely outdoor patio that has outdoor heating and fireplaces, and isn't butted up against the street like most patios downtown.

Best Nightclub

Suite 200 - 1427 Larimer Street in Denver (Larimer Square)
A classy, upscale dance lounge with multiple bars and plenty of space. Unlike Beta, Suite 200 does not let the obnoxious under-21 crowd in, so you won't have to endure any crowds of college freshman/children. In keeping with their upscale image, a dress code is enforced, so don't expect to get in wearing typical Chad apparel like flip flops and cargo shorts. Suite 200 is where it's at for those looking for a bit of Vegas in Denver, but it's not for everyone.

Best Dive

Gabors - 1223 E 13th Avenue in Denver (Southeast)
This Capitol Hill staple has long been known for it's dim, cozy space, rimmed with white Christmas lights and photos of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.  Sip a cocktail during their generous happy hour (M-F, 5-8p, $2.50 well/wine/draft) and play a few tracks on their always awesome, up-to-date, FREE jukebox.