5 Self-Guided Denver Bar Crawl Routes You Haven't Tried Yet
Forget the organized bar crawls with matching t-shirts and wristbands. The best bar crawls are the ones you do yourself — your pace, your order, your rules. Here are five neighborhood routes that actually work, tested by people who live here.
Each route is fully walkable (no Ubers between stops), takes 3-5 hours depending on how long you linger, and progresses from lighter vibes to bigger energy. Start around 6-7 PM for the full experience.
1. The RiNo Art & Ale Crawl
Stop 1: Ratio Beerworks (6:00 PM)
Start mellow. Grab a patio seat and order their Domestica golden ale. The taproom is chill, the crowd is relaxed, and you need a base layer before what's coming. 30-45 min.
Stop 2: Epic Brewing (6:45 PM)
Three-minute walk. Go big or go home — their Big Bad Baptist imperial stout is legendary. Split one if you want to survive the crawl. 30 min.
Stop 3: Finn's Manor (7:30 PM)
Part bar, part food truck park. Grab tacos from whatever truck is parked outside, drink a craft cocktail inside. The outdoor area is perfect for groups. 45 min.
Stop 4: Death & Co at The Ramble Hotel (8:30 PM)
Time to level up. This is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar — tell the bartender what flavors you like and let them work. Budget $17-20 per drink. 45 min.
Stop 5: Number Thirty Eight (9:30 PM)
End at this indoor-outdoor venue with fire pits, live music on weekends, and a solid beer selection. The energy is up, the night is rolling, and there's nowhere you need to be. Stay as long as you want.
2. The South Broadway Dive & Dine Crawl
Stop 1: Horseshoe Lounge (6:00 PM)
Classic Denver dive. Cheap beer, pool table, zero pretension. Order a PBR tall boy and a shot of Jameson. Total: $9. Welcome to SoBro. 30 min.
Stop 2: Sputnik (6:45 PM)
Jerky bar + craft cocktails. Yes, they have a wall of jerky. Order a spicy margarita and some elk jerky. It's weird. It works. 30 min.
Stop 3: Adelitas Cocina y Cantina (7:30 PM)
Fuel up with tacos and a frozen marg. You need real food at this point. The street tacos are legit and the portions are generous. 45 min.
Stop 4: Hi-Dive (8:30 PM)
Iconic SoBro music venue. Check who's playing — could be punk, indie, or something you've never heard of. Cover is usually $5-15. Grab a beer and post up. 60 min.
Stop 5: Skylark Lounge (9:45 PM)
Finish at this legendary jazz and blues bar. Live music most nights, strong drinks, and a crowd that knows what they're about. The perfect nightcap spot.
3. The Capitol Hill Culture Crawl
Stop 1: Ace Eat Serve (6:00 PM)
Ping pong bar with Asian street food. Play a few rounds, order the bao buns and a craft beer. Loosens everyone up immediately. 45 min.
Stop 2: Thin Man (7:00 PM)
Whiskey bar with one of the deepest collections in Denver. If you like bourbon, this is your temple. Ask for a pour of something you've never tried. 30 min.
Stop 3: The Squire Lounge (7:45 PM)
Vintage dive bar vibes. Cheap drinks, pool table, and a jukebox that actually has good music. This is Cap Hill at its most authentic. 30 min.
Stop 4: Blush & Blu (8:30 PM)
Denver's beloved queer wine bar. Cozy, welcoming, great by-the-glass selection. A nice palate reset before the finale. 45 min.
Stop 5: Prohibition (9:30 PM)
End at this speakeasy-style cocktail lounge. Craft cocktails, moody lighting, and a DJ on weekends. The energy is right for closing out the night. For more on the Cap Hill scene, we've got you.
4. The Highlands Happy Hour Hop
Stop 1: Linger (5:30 PM)
Start with a rooftop cocktail at this converted mortuary (yes, really). The views of downtown are unmatched, and happy hour prices make the cocktails actually reasonable. 45 min.
Stop 2: Ale House at Amato's (6:30 PM)
Old-school Denver bar with a massive patio. Grab a local draft and the green chile cheese fries. They're not fancy, they're perfect. 30 min.
Stop 3: Williams & Graham (7:15 PM)
The hidden bookstore speakeasy. You need a reservation, but it's worth it. One expertly made cocktail here is worth three anywhere else. 45 min.
Stop 4: Avanti Food & Beverage (8:15 PM)
Food hall with a rooftop. Multiple food vendors, craft drinks, and one of the best group hangs in Denver. The rooftop deck at sunset is chef's kiss. Stay and close it out.
5. The LoDo Classic Crawl
Stop 1: Terminal Bar (6:00 PM)
Inside Union Station. Great cocktails in a gorgeous setting. The train station architecture alone is worth the stop. Start classy. 30 min.
Stop 2: Cooper Lounge (6:45 PM)
Upstairs in Union Station — most people don't even know it's there. Mezzanine-level cocktail bar overlooking the Great Hall. Order champagne. Feel fancy. 30 min.
Stop 3: The Green Russell (7:30 PM)
Walk to Larimer Square, enter through the pie shop, descend into Denver's best underground cocktail bar. Barrel-aged old fashioned is the move. 45 min.
Stop 4: Dairy Block Alley Bars (8:30 PM)
The Dairy Block alley has multiple bars in one stretch. Poka Lola Social Club for tiki drinks, The Bindery for wine — bar hop within the block. 45 min.
Stop 5: Viewhouse (9:30 PM)
End at LoDo's massive rooftop bar. The energy is big on weekends — DJs, dancing, the full send. You've earned it after four sophisticated stops.
Bar Crawl Survival Tips
- Eat before stop 1 or at stop 3. Never crawl on an empty stomach. The routes above include food stops for a reason.
- Water between stops. Not sexy, but necessary. You'll thank yourself at stop 4.
- One drink per stop, max two. This isn't a race. You're experiencing neighborhoods, not destroying your Sunday.
- Bring cash. Some dive bars are cash-only or have minimums for cards.
- Plan your ride home before stop 1. RTD, Uber, or designate a driver. Don't figure it out at midnight.
Want a custom bar crawl built around tonight's events? Hit the Town can map a route that includes live music, comedy shows, or whatever's happening in your favorite neighborhood — plus dinner and drinks around it.
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