If you’re looking to end your workweek with a few budget-friendly drinks with friends or begin your weekend with a boozy afternoon game of ping pong, Denver happy hours are sure to delight. Cheap margaritas, half-price bottles of chardonnay, house cocktails, and draft beers are popular happy hour offerings around the city. Don’t forget to order a few tasty bites for the table and try culinary creations from some of the capital city’s best restaurants and bars.
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1. Revival Denver Public House
Where? 630 East 17th Avenue
When? Tuesday-Saturday 3-6
Offering approachable, American-forward dishes, Revival Public House is located only 2 blocks from the Fillmore Auditorium. If you’re looking for a quick bite and a drink during happy hour, there are $5 well drinks and $6 glasses of wine. All draft beer is $1 off and you can sip on an old fashioned cocktail for only $5.
Bites include hand-cut fries, broiled chorizo butter oysters, and a cup of buffalo gumbo. There is also a shareable meat and cheese board for $11 that pairs nicely with a martini.
PRO Tip: Check out the specials to snag more great deals. Upcoming events include “Whiskey Wednesday” with discounted old fashioned drinks, as well as $13 whiskey sours and $10 off whiskey flights.
2. Hudson Hill
Where? 619 E 13th Avenue
When? Monday-Saturday 4-7 / All day Sunday
Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver, Hudson Hill provides an intimate lounge setting for locals to gather. Offering pastries, coffee, small bites, and cocktails, you can work remotely and sip on a latte before transitioning to an after-work drink.
Daily feature cocktails are priced at $10, with the classics (old fashioned, bee’s knees, and margaritas) at $7. Wine and well drinks are $7 and beer (Colorado Lager or Utica Pils) is discounted to $4.
3. Uchi
Where? 2500 Lawrence Street
When? Daily 4-6:30
Uchi has locations in major cities including Austin, Denver, Miami, and Houston. Founded by Tyson Cole, a James Beard award-winning chef, this establishment has quickly become synonymous with friendly service and elevated Japanese cuisine with a twist.
During happy hour, guests can choose from a list of small plates including fish toast, pork belly, a scallion pancake, and a foie waffle — all for between $6-$7. The nigiri offerings include two pieces, with none costing more than $9. Drinks include sake, beer, cocktails, and glasses of wine.
4. Ritual Social House
Where? 1209 E 13th Avenue
When? All day Monday / Tuesday-Sunday 3-6 & 9-Close
This Colorado-themed restaurant serves up pizzas and hosts trivia nights, bingo, and an upcoming Super Bowl party. Happy hour offerings include delectable bites such as parmesan fries, onion rings, fried calamari, and a $10 8-inch one-topping pizza. If you’re planning to share, opt for the house bottle of wine and a 12-inch single-topping pizza for $25.
Discounted libations include $8 Manhattans, $5 well drinks, and $1 off all draft beer. Bubbles, sangria, and mules are wallet-friendly at $6. Wine Wednesday is a popular special and guests can purchase all non-house bottles for half off.
PRO Tip: If you missed happy hour, check out the weekend brunch and order bottomless mimosas starting at $15.
5. Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Where? 1539 17th Street
When? Daily 3:30-5
Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar first opened in 1994 and has been dedicated to providing gourmet dishes that show a commitment to sourcing fresh and sustainable seafood. Happy hour is an exciting daily occurrence that offers $2 East Coast oysters served on the half shell, as well as a classic gumbo with Louisiana crawfish and andouille sausage that has been smoked locally in Colorado.
Draft beers are $1 off and wine is $9 per glass. If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side of booze, you can order a whiskey tea, a glass of sangria, or a vodka strawberry lemonade for $7 each.
6. Barcelona Wine Bar
Where? 2900 Larimer Street
When? Monday-Wednesday 4-6 / Thursday & Friday 2-5
Those looking for a romantic spot to enjoy tapas and wine don’t have to look any further than Barcelona Wine Bar. Boasting nearly 400 wines, this Mediterranean-inspired spot can fix any wine connoisseur’s happy hour craving. Pair your favorite glass with beef tartare, churros, deviled eggs, or crispy eggplant.
All bottles of sparkling wine are half off, allowing you to celebrate with friends and family or enjoy a bottle just because. Cocktails include mini espresso martinis and mini dirty martinis for $7, as well as Colorado-based beers from Ratio Beerworks, Epic Brewing, Avery Brewing, and Great Divide for under $4.
7. The Cooper Lounge
Where? 1701 Wynkoop Street
When? Monday-Friday 4-6
The Cooper Lounge is located in the stunning mezzanine of Denver Union Station, allowing guests a vibrant view of downtown Denver and the Great Hall. Skilled bartenders produce high-end cocktails, as well as pours from an extensive wine list.
Glasses of wine and happy hour cocktails are priced at $10. Handcrafted cocktails include Moscow mules, whiskey sours, margaritas, negronis, and gimlets. Beer drinkers can imbibe in a Melvin “Back in da Haze” IPA for $5.
PRO Tip: Try the bottomless mimosas, brunch boards, and espresso martinis on the weekend brunch menu.
8. Dew Drop Inn
Where? 1033 E 17th Ave
When? Monday-Thursday 3-6
Dew Drop Inn is located in the Uptown neighborhood and is open six days a week, serving up delicious sandwiches, salads, and drinks. The cocktails are unpretentious and the food is simple but well-made. If you’re looking for a light snack and a few after-work drinks with friends, this is the place to kick back and relax.
During happy hour, there are neighborhood cocktails (Winter Sangria, Aspen spice, Pilfered Paloma, Aperol Spritz) for $8 and house wine for $6 a glass. The call drinks are fairly priced at $5 and include Spring 44 Gin, Family Jones Vodka, and 4 Roses Bourbon.
9. Sunday Vinyl
Where? 1803 16th Street
When? Tuesday-Saturday 4:30-6 / Sunday 2-6
Sunday Vinyl is self-described as an intimate restaurant and wine bar. This is the place to wind down after a stressful week and listen to a curated vinyl playlist while you sip on a glass of wine and enjoy a plate of oysters.
For quick bites, the happy hour menu features chorizo stuffed fried olives for $6, duck liver parfait with pear chutney and fresh warm bread for $11, and a meat and cheese plate priced at $12 that features aged cheese, chorizo, and house pickles. Wash these treats down with a glass of wine from the happy hour list or a cocktail.
10. Joy Hill
Where? 1229 South Broadway
When? Every day 4-6
Joy Hill serves up traditional wood-fired pizzas with naturally leavened dough. Placing an emphasis on procuring local ingredients and making homemade mozzarella, this restaurant is sure to impress any Denverite looking to indulge in cheesy goodness. There is a full bar that serves up locally crafted spirits and beer.
Happy hour deals can be found every day and they include delicious cocktails for $6, including a chai old fashioned, a cranberry mule, and even a house margarita which can be ordered spicy. All draft beers are $1 off and glasses of the house red, white, and rose are $6 or $20 for the bottle. If you’re feeling peckish, order a Margherita pizza or a charcuterie board with rotating cheeses and sourdough crackers that are baked in-house.
PRO Tip: The establishment offers special events throughout the year, including an upcoming Valentine’s Day Pizza Class that’s perfect for couples.
11. Work & Class
Where? 2500 Larimer, Suite 101
When? Wednesday-Sunday 5-6
This unpretentious restaurant was founded on the concept that in order to create one of the best spots in town, the food should be kept simple without unfamiliar and fussy ingredients and complex techniques. The American and Latin American-inspired menu is a testament that fresh ingredients really do shine through.
During happy hour, guests can order $8 draft cocktails, such as mules, whiskey sours, Long Island iced teas, and aviations. On the $5 draft beer menu, there is a rotating cider, Libby Pilsner, Ratio Antidote IPA, and Ellie’s Brown Ale. Wine is $2 off all glasses. Delicious plates including green chili cheese fries and spicy chicken pot pie are available and difficult to resist.
12. Ace
Where? 501 E 17th Avenue
When? Monday-Friday Open-5 / Saturday & Sunday 2-3
This is not only a spot to enjoy a modern take on Asian food but guests can also reserve ping pong tables by the hour. Anyone looking to blow off some steam and enjoy some drinks will find the perfect opportunity at Ace. Whether you’re hosting an event or looking to enjoy some laid-back time with friends, there are multiple happy hour opportunities throughout the week.
Partake in $8 highballs and $6 glasses of house wine. The whiskey of the day rotates and is available for $6, regardless of whether you order it neat, on the rocks, or as a shot. Those looking to make happy hour an early dinner or late lunch can order ramen bowls and dim sum, as well as octopus fritters, chicken wings, and deep-fried kimchi.
PRO Tip: While not a part of the happy hour deals, Ace offers the “Peking Duck Experience” that can be ordered for dine-in or takeout Monday-Thursday, as well as Sunday.
13. Annette
Where? 2501 Dallas Street
When? All night Tuesday / Wednesday-Sunday 4:30-5:30
Annette’s chef, Caroline Glover, won the 2022 James Beard Foundation Award for “Best Chef: Mountain.” Locals who haven’t checked out this scratch-to-table spot should add it to the top of their list, especially with tasty happy hour options such as steak frites, spiced nuts, and $1 off oysters.
Naturally, many people want to enjoy a drink or two during happy hour. Annette offers classic cocktails for $10 and guests can choose from hand-crafted Manhattans, vodka martinis, daiquiris, and gin and tonics. There is a rotating shot and beer for a cool $7 and bottles of wine for $25 to share with the table. All house cocktails and beers are discounted at $1 off.
14. Toro
Where? 150 Clayton Lane, Ste B
When? Every day 3-5
Toro is located inside Hotel Clio, in the heart of Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood. Featuring Pan-Latin cuisine with a South American, Japanese, and Chinese flare, Toro commits to locally sourced ingredients that support Colorado farmers.
Pair an order of truffle fries or smoked swordfish dip with boozy happy hour offers such as red sangria, a michelada, or a glass of sauvignon blanc. All draft selections are priced at a flat $5 and if you’re feeling extra daring, try the habanero blood orange margarita for $8.
15. Vesper Lounge
Where? 233 East 7th Avenue
When? All day Monday / Tuesday-Friday 4-6 / Saturday & Sunday 2-4
Vesper Lounge has an impressive happy hour menu, which includes something to appease a range of palates. Wings can be ordered sweet, spicy, or BBQ and are $11. Shrimp lettuce wraps, gyro sliders, and a variety of dips (red pepper hummus, olive, pesto, tzatziki, and baba ganoush) are priced at $4 and below.
As far as drinks, there is a popular buy one get one free dirty martini special for $12 and all draft beers are $1.50 off, with cans and bottles discounted as well. Well cocktails are $4 and cocktails on tap are $6, allowing guests to pick their drink of choice without worrying about breaking the bank.
16. Officers Club
Where? 84 Rampart Way
When? Monday-Thursday 4-6 / Friday 3-6
Located in the Lowry neighborhood, Officers Club Cocktail Bar & Dining Room celebrates the history of the old-school officers clubs that were found on airfare bases. Cooking up classic American dishes, including happy hour provisions such as New England cheddar biscuits, cheeseburger sliders, and buttermilk fried chicken tenders with country gravy, this cocktail bar and restaurant combo never fails to hit the spot.
With special emphasis placed on the old fashioned cocktail, happy hour includes $2 off well cocktails and all draft beers, as well as $1 off wine ordered by the glass. Try a ginger drop or a blood orange spritz before enjoying the popular old fashioned shot, with all cocktails being $8 and under.
PRO Tip: If you’re the owner of a well-behaved dog, the club allows pups to join guests on the outdoor patio dining area.
17. Blackbird Public House
Where? 305 S Downing Street
When? Every day 3-6 & 9-Close + All Day Monday
Whether you’re craving pizza, oysters, or your favorite comfort food — Blackbird Public House has you covered. There are happy hour times every day, twice a day, and all day Monday. $1 off all draft beers and $6 glasses of the house red, white, and rose wines. If you want something a bit more fruity, red sangria is available.
As for cocktails, the happy hour menu includes a Manhattan, a 007, and a Brown Derby, all for $8 a pop. Add on some snacks to the deal such as parmesan fries, calamari, or even a $10 happy hour board with two types of meat, two cheese varieties, and assorted flavorful accoutrements. PRO Tip: Blackbird Public House offers daily specials, separate from their happy hour offerings. These include $1.50 freshly shucked oysters all day on Tuesday and 50% off bottles of select wine on Thursdays.