Since Denver is the first city that I’ve lived in where I’m actually living in the main city proper and not a smaller suburb, I’ve been able to actually explore the nightlife of the area. Having lived in the Midwest my whole life, I really enjoy the Denver nightlife scene. It offers a wide range of vibes to explore, whether you’re looking for a quiet dive bar, an upscale cocktail lounge, or a full-on nightclub.

Broadway

BurnDown

BurnDown is a great country-style four-story bar that usually has live music and a laid-back atmosphere. It’s a mostly younger crowd while still being pretty chill, and it’s a great spot to hang out and catch up with friends. It also has a great view of the Denver skyline on its rooftop patio.

Club Vinyl

If you’re looking for a real underground club atmosphere, then Club Vinyl is a good spot for you. They have shows from popular yet lesser-known DJs there all the time, playing all sorts of sub-genres of EDM, so I recommend checking the lineup to see who’s playing.

Irish Rover Pub

Love me a good Irish pub. If you’re a lover of Irish pubs as well, you’ll like this one too. It’s especially a great spot to be on St. Patrick’s Day. Not much else to say here, other than that it has a warm atmosphere and plenty of Guinness.

Larimer Street

If you’re not really sure what kind of night you’re looking for, I recommend just taking an Uber to Larimer Street and seeing where the night takes you. There are a bunch of bars/clubs to check out, all with different vibes, so you have plenty to explore. Here are a few of my favorites.

Herb’s

This is easily the divey-est bar on this list by far. They usually have live music, played by no one under the age of 60, and sometime the small dance floor even fills up. It’s an interesting spot because you’ll see all sorts of characters here, but regardless it’s a fun time even for younger folks.

Larimer Lounge

Larimer Lounge is a super popular club-like space with live DJs, LED walls and lighting setups. It’s kind of like an informal nightclub, for if you want the club music without the super underground feel. They also have another stage outside for open-air DJ sets.

Retro Room

Laid-back and super affordable, Retro Room is a great bar to hang out with friends at. Their kitchen is open relatively late as well, which always comes in clutch. The crowd is typically on the younger side, but the vibe is always welcoming. They also have some good pickle shots, if that’s what you’re into.

Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub

Scruffy Murphy’s is another Irish pub that’s definitely worth visiting if you’re a fan of Irish pubs. It’s a little less laid-back than Irish Rover because some nights it has DJs playing, but it’s still a good time.

LoHi

If you’re looking for a more low-key and relaxed night out, I recommend venturing to the other side of I-25 and hanging out in the LoHi neighborhood. It’s much quieter, and it’s relatively walkable. I won’t write too much on LoHi bars since I already made a post about it, but you can check that out here.

Occidental

Do not go to Occidental. The staff is always incredibly rude and the drinks are extremely overpriced. We’re talking New York prices at a dive bar with terrible service.

Recess

Recess is the best spot to hang out in my opinion, since it has plenty of space and maintains its relatively relaxed atmosphere. They also have a pretty large patio that’s nice to chill on.

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Thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments if there’s anywhere I missed or a spot you’d recommend, and drop a like if you enjoyed the post! While you’re at it, give the blog a follow for a new post every Wednesday at 12pm MST.

Have a great week!