Denver has always had fantastic nightlife and a lively bar scene. In recent years, though, the focus on craft beer, cocktail culture, and giving patrons more memorable experiences has really ramped up.
Sure, you can head to the closest local watering hole for a drink on any given night. But when you have a hot date night or even just want to change things up, check out one of the many unique bars in Denver.
8 Unique Bars in Denver
1. Upstairs Circus, LoDo
As far as unique bars in Denver go, it doesn’t get much better than Upstairs Circus. At this hip LoDo spot, “where DIY workshop meets bar,” patrons sip on circus-themed cocktails while working on DIY projects. Choose from 30-ish projects including a jewelry hanger, magnetic floating shelf, and dog collar. We highly recommend reserving your seats for Project Social (i.e., creation + libation time) ahead of time.
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2. Forest Room 5, LoHi
A flowing creek, teepees, tree stump stools around fire pits, and even s’mores. It may sound like we’re describing an amazing Colorado campsite, but we’re not. Instead, we’re describing the back patio (err, we mean magical forest) at Forest Room 5, one of the most unique bars in Denver. Oh, and bring Fido — Forest Room 5 is also extremely dog-friendly.
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3. Happy Camper, Highland
Happy Camper lives up to its name with just the right amount of Instagrammable kitsch: vintage Airstreams, an AstroTurf patio, colorful folding lawn chairs, fire pits, and even Ouija boards. It’s unquestionably one of the most unique bars in Denver in terms of aesthetics, but the food and drinks are fantastic, too. You can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas, and the Hangover Coffee — topped with a donut! — is not to be missed!
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4. Adrift Tiki Bar, South Broadway
There are plenty of tiki bars in Denver, but Adrift legitimately stands out. It hits the tropical tiki vibe squarely on the head in every metric: boozy drinks, delicious Polynesian food (pu pu platter or Spam musubi, anyone?), tasteful tropical decor and vibe, and even an open-air back patio.
Fun fact: the owner of Adrift also manages beloved Little Man, one of the best ice cream shops in Denver. That alone tells you that Adrift is well worth a visit!
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5. Ghost Donkey, Union Station
A newcomer to the Mile High, Ghost Donkey is quickly establishing itself as one of the best unique bars in Denver. For starters, there’s the fact that everything inside is neon pink. The small-but-certainly-mighty bar across from Union Station also features over 65 mezcals, and the food menu consists of exactly five varieties of nachos. Hint: go for the Truffle.
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6. The Tatarian, Tennyson
The Tatarian is another newcomer on the Denver bar scene. Despite being tiny, the incredibly well-curated cocktail list and perfectly-executed tree-themed decor pack a tremendous punch. Yes, we said tree-themed. The Tatarian pays homage to an old neighborhood tradition, where the city gifted new landowners Tatarian maple trees. Cocktails also center around trees, with ingredients such as (what else?) Tatarian maple syrup and grapefruit vanilla shrub.
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7. Grandma’s House, South Broadway
Appropriately located in a former antique store, Grandma’s House is designed to look and feel like, well, your grandmother’s house. Scattered throughout, you’ll find worn-in couches with quilts, board games, Nintendo 64, and lots of beer. Speaking of beer, Grandma’s House brews its own and allows up-and-coming breweries to use its brew system and sell their concoctions in the taproom.
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8. Improper City, RiNo
Improper City isn’t technically a bar, but, well, it sorta is. It’s part beer garden, part food truck park, part coffee bar, and part live music venue. And the entire space is dog-friendly, too. We say “entire” because Improper City is massive — the patio alone is over 12,000 square feet. Think of this as a rad choose-your-own-adventure space!
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Wow, there really are so many super unique bars in Denver! Have you been to any on this list? Are there others that should be on our radar? Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram and let us know! Drink responsibly, friends, and don’t forget to (generously!) tip your bar staff!