25 Denver Bar Stops for Group Night Planning (2026 Guide)

Denver's bar scene has exploded in recent years, and choosing where to spend your night out can be overwhelming. You want to experience a representative mix of Denver nightlife options — craft cocktails, rooftop views, live music, and neighborhood variety. But with many options, it's hard to know where to start, and hitting multiple neighborhoods means dealing with driving, parking, and rideshare headaches. Therefore, we've curated this guide to 25 Denver bar stops, organized by neighborhood, so you can plan a practical night out — especially by party bus. ## LoDo (Lower Downtown) 1. Williams & Graham — Behind an unmarked door on Larimer Street, this speakeasy is known for detailed cocktail programs. The menu changes seasonally, and the intimate atmosphere is a common draw for small groups. 2. Terminal Bar — At Union Station, this grand hall bar offers incredible cocktails in one of Denver's most beautiful spaces. The Great Hall setting is great for starting an evening out. 3. Pints Pub — A beloved LoDo institution for British-style ales and an impressive Scotch collection. Over 200 whiskies line the shelves. 4. Ophelia's Electric Soapbox — Part restaurant, part music venue, part bar — Ophelia's is a Denver experience unlike any other. Live music nightly. 5. Retrograde — Hidden in the back of a food hall, this tiny bar serves inventive cocktails in a retro-futuristic setting. ## RiNo (River North Art District) 6. Death & Co Denver — The Denver outpost of the notable NYC cocktail bar. Reservations recommended — this is serious cocktail craft. 7. Ratio Beerworks — Craft beer in a converted industrial space with a widely used patio. 8. Bar Fausto — Italian-inspired cocktails and small plates in a gorgeous RiNo space. 9. Bierstadt Lagerhaus — German-style lagers brewed with meticulous precision. The slow-pour pilsner is a must-try. 10. Our Mutual Friend — Neighborhood brewery vibes with excellent beer and a welcoming atmosphere. ## South Broadway (SoBo) 11. Hi-Dive — Denver's notable dive bar and live music venue. Raw, real, and memorable. 12. Historians Ale House — Craft beer and great food in a converted historic building. 13. The Hornet — Classic American bar with strong drinks and a lively weekend crowd. 14. Punch Bowl Social — Games, food, drinks, and entertainment all under one roof. 15. TRVE Brewing — Heavy metal-themed brewery with excellent sour beers. Not for the faint of heart. ## Highlands / LoHi 16. Linger — A rooftop bar in a converted mortuary (yes, really) with stunning city views and creative cocktails. 17. Root Down — James Beard-recognized restaurant with an excellent bar program. 18. Avanti Food & Beverage — A food hall with a rooftop bar offering panoramic Denver skyline views. 19. Little Machine Beer — Neighborhood brewery with a fantastic tap list and welcoming vibe. 20. Highland Tap & Burger — Craft burgers and an impressive whiskey selection. ## Colfax Avenue 21. Ace Eat Serve — Ping pong, cocktails, and Asian-fusion food on East Colfax. 22. Pete's Kitchen — The notable late-night diner that's been serving Denver since 1942. 23. Bluebird Theater — More music venue than bar, but the drink experience during shows is popular-notch. ## Tennyson Street / Berkeley 24. Call to Arms Brewing — Neighborhood gem with creative beers and a welcoming taproom. 25. Banded Oak Brewing — Intimate brewery focused on barrel-aged and oak-influenced beers. ## How to Hit Multiple Bars in One Night A typical Denver bar crawl hits 4-5 bars across 2-3 neighborhoods in one night. The challenge is that these neighborhoods are spread out, and walking between them is not practical. The solution: a party bus. A Denver Party Ride party bus connects every bar on your list without the hassle of driving, parking, or waiting for rideshares. The bus itself becomes part of the bar crawl — music playing, drinks chilling, and your whole crew together between stops. ### Our Recommended Bar Crawl Routes: Route 1: The Classic — Start at Williams & Graham (LoDo) → Ratio Beerworks (RiNo) → Death & Co (RiNo) → Hi-Dive (SoBo) → Linger (Highlands) Route 2: The Rooftop Tour — Terminal Bar (Union Station) → Avanti (Highlands) → Linger (Highlands) → ViewHouse (multiple locations) Route 3: The Craft Beer Trail — Bierstadt Lagerhaus → Great Divide → Our Mutual Friend → TRVE Brewing → Call to Arms Ready to plan your Denver bar crawl? Book a party bus and let us handle the driving while you handle the fun.