11 DECEMBER 11-17, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | Cheers to the 50 Top Bars THERE ARE A LOT OF WATERING HOLES IN THE MILE HIGH, BUT THESE ARE THE TOP SHELF. From dives, cocktail havens and breweries to new watering holes and old classics that stand the test of time, there’s no shortage of places to catch a buzz in the metro area. But which spots are at the top of their game? For years, we’ve served up an annual list of the city’s Top 100 Bars. But now we’ve improved our own game, cutting that number in half in order to highlight only the best of the best, and then updating the list next spring, to make sure all of our choices are still winners. One thing hasn’t changed, though: The lineup still offers a wide variety of places to imbibe, whether you prefer a low-key neighborhood hang or want to impress a date with an upscale escape. And there are impressive options. This edition of the list includes eight recent addi- tions to the bar scene, three of which could just as easily be considered restaurants: Rougarou, Malinche Audio Bar and the Michelin-starred Mezcaleria Alma. Great bars with great food are not a new trend — the list also includes older spots like Pony Up, where French dips star, and My Brother’s Bar, which is known as much for its burgers as its booze. But this trio blurs the line even further, with creative fare that’s as much of a draw as the cocktails, while still being the kind of place where you can belly up and have a good time whether you’re dining in or not (though let’s be real, you’re gonna want to show up thirsty and hungry). But we’re also pouring out some old fa- vorites, too, which serve up a strong sense of this town as well as strong drinks. Keep reading for the Top 50 Bars in metro Denver right now. – Molly Martin NEW AND NOTEWORTHY DENVER BARS The top bars that opened after Labor Day 2024. The Devil’s Drink Highland 1553 Platte Street thedevilsdrinkbar.com Andrew Harris went from food-truck op- erator to bar owner when he debuted the fi rst iteration of the Devil’s Drink, his “underworld speakeasy,” in 2023. In September, the bar moved into its new home, a subterranean space that’s a much better fi t — and much larger than its former digs. Now, patrons descend a set of stairs to reach the red-hued watering hole with a menu that includes over a dozen versions of the popular drink of the moment: the espresso martini. The Devil’s Drink 2.0 also includes a room with pool tables for your playing pleasure, and don’t miss the coffi n photo opp outside of the restrooms. Latchkey City Park 1308 East 17th Avenue latchkeyatx.com/denver In January 2025, Cade Cauley, founder of Austin’s Latchkey, brought a second location of his bar to the former Alpine Dog Brewing space, and it has quickly become a neighbor- hood favorite. The cute Canman logo beckons guests into this welcoming, cozy spot that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Its patio is dog-friendly, and it has a solid selection of beer and cocktails. The only grub available in-house is frozen pizza, but there’s usually a food truck out front for hungry patrons. The bar has a lovely staff, is LGBTQ+ friendly, hosts Thursday night music bingo and has a pool table and plenty of TVs, making it great for watching the Broncos as they (hopefully) continue their winning streak this season. The Lowbeam Congress Park 3401 East Colfax Avenue thelowbeam.com For seven years, Middleman was a Colfax fi xture near the Bluebird, so when it closed in the summer of 2025, it left a cocktail-shaped hole in the hearts of many in the neighbor- hood. But not for long. Enter the female- owned Make Regulars group, which is behind many of our favorite local watering holes, including its newest, the Lowbeam, which started shining in October. It’s kept much of what we loved about Middleman alive (af- fordable drinks, friendly staff, low-key vibes) in a refreshed space that’s already a regular stop for pre- and post-show shenanigans. Malinche Audio Bar Highland 1541 Platte Street instagram.com/malincheaudiobar Jose Avila’s La Diabla in the Ballpark neigh- borhood is a favorite for tacos, pozole and mezcal, so when he added an actual mezcal bar to his growing roster of spots, we had high expectations. Malinche delivers, with a custom sound system that plays tunes from Avila’s per- sonal collection of vintage Mexican records, creating a party-like atmosphere in this inti- mate space where you can sip fl ights of agave spirits, indulge in thoughtful cocktails and experience what Avila dubs “Nikkei-Mexa,” dishes that combine traditional Mexican in- gredients with Japanese-inspired touches. Mezcaleria Alma Highland 2550 15th Street mezcaleriaalma.com Johnny and Kasie Curiel seem to be un- stoppable, with a growing restaurant group that currently includes four metro spots. But if we’re picking favorites, it has to be Mez- caleria Alma, the lively next-door neighbor to their fi rst eatery, Alma Fonda Fina. It not only scored a Michelin star just months after its debut, it also landed on Punch’s 2025 list of the Best New Cocktail Bars in the Country. Here, boldly fl avored dishes inspired by Mexico City pair with an agave spirits-centric beverage program that’s just as impressive as the team’s culinary chops. The Pearl Five Points 2195 California Street thepearldenver.com In April 2025, The Pearl moved into the former Mercury Cafe, a legendary establish- ment that fi rst opened in 1975 and moved into this building in 1990. As a sapphic reinvention, the bar and café maintain the heart and soul of the Merc, with its bohemian décor and eclectic vibe, while bringing a new LGBTQIA+ focus to the beloved establishment. In addition to cocktails, beer, wine, coffee, tea and light bites, there’s a calendar of events ranging from poetry open mics to jazz jams, dance lessons, game nights, karaoke, lectures, tarot readings, trivia, concerts and more. In short, the Pearl has managed to give fresh life to the space while keeping the Merc’s legacy alive. Rougarou Five Points 2844 Welton Street lerougarou.com Husband-and-wife duo McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright are the coolest of the local bar scene’s cool kids, as evidenced when their fi rst standalone spot, Yacht Club, was named the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar at the 2024 Spirited Awards. On the heels of that accom- plishment, the two opened a second bar in April 2025. Named for a mythical swamp creature, Rougarou embraces the spirit of the couple’s Southern roots in a way that’s a little bit fancy, a little bit funky and a whole lot of fun. Belly up for a muffalata martini or a bananas foster julep, which simply must be paired with bites created by Wright’s brother, John David, including the green-tomato-spiked blue cheese tart, which has become a fast fan favorite. Semiprecious Sunnyside 2839 West 44th Avenue semipreciousdenver.com As the owner of two L.A. hot spots (Thun- derbird and Night on Earth), Mike Capoferri knows a hell of a lot about bars. In May 2025, he brought that knowledge to the Mile High with the debut of Semiprecious, which has the relaxed feel of a dive bar combined with the thoughtful design of a welcoming neighbor- hood spot and a cocktail list that goes well beyond the basics. This spot uses a high-tech approach, but most of the magic happens behind the scenes, so all you know is that your bubbly tomato highball arrives in seconds and that sour cream and onion martini is icy cold perfection. While the drinks come out quickly, this is the kind of place where you’ll want to linger for as long as possible. THE BEST CLASSIC DENVER BARS Watering holes that have stood the test of time. Candlelight Tavern Washington Park West 383 South Pearl Street candlelighttavern.com This friendly neighborhood bar is beloved by residents of all stripes in the Wash Park area. Once a seedy, smoky dive, it’s been spruced up over the years – but consistency and simplicity are key. You can count on no- frills, tasty pub grub, including a great basic bar burger. The warm glow of the Candle- light’s vintage sign still illuminates the way to one of Denver’s oldest and best bars. The Castle Littleton 6657 South Broadway castlebarandgrill.co The Castle rules in the south suburbs. Yes, the building even looks like a castle, and the sunken bar is sided by comfy chairs that make for a royally fun day or night of imbibing. The vibe is relaxing and unpre- tentious, as are the patrons. Snag a twenty- ounce personalized mug for $20, good for a lifetime of 20-ounce CAFE continued on page 12 FIND MORE FOOD & DRINK COVERAGE AT WESTWORD.COM/RESTAURANTS Rougarou co-owner McLain Hedges knows how to make a mean martini. VALERIA MOONCH PHOTOGRAPHY
