Best Hidden Speakeasies in Denver You Need a Tip to Find
Words by
James Williams
Best Hidden Speakeasies in Denver You Need a Tip to Find
I first walked into one of Denver's hidden bars in 2019, and the experience rewired how I thought about the entire city. Denver doesn't just have speakeasies, it practically raises the concept to an art form. Forget the obvious spots and overpriced rooftop lounges. If you want the best speakeasies in Denver, the kind where you need a reservation placed almost like a contract or a whispered password delivered to your phone at the last second, you're about to get the full tour. Every bar on this list is one I've visited personally, some dozens of times, and each one connects back to the particular brand of rebellious creativity that has always defined these streets.
Williams & Graham: The Bookcase Door in Lower Downtown
Williams & Graham sits at 3160 Tejon Street in the LoDo neighborhood, wedged between a hair salon and what looks like a functioning bookstore from the outside. You walk in, browse shelves for a moment, then a staff member guides you toward a "restricted section" where a bookcase swings outward onto a tightly packed cocktail space below. It opened in 2015 and won a James Beard nomination shortly after, which tells you the drinks are not a gimmick.
The cocktail menu changes roughly every six to nine months, but the Penicillin here is the version I keep chasing across other bars and never finding again. Smoked Scotch, fresh lemon, honey ginger syrup, served in a coupe that barely fits two hands around it. Last time I went, sitting at the counter on a Tuesday around 8 PM, the bartender described each cocktail like she was pitching a movie, full plot twists included. That's the energy of the room. The food menu is small but sharp. A foie gras peanut butter and jelly has been rotated on and off the menu for years now, and when it returns, you should order it without asking what's currently trending.
One thing most visitors don't know is that the basement space has a second, even smaller two-top table near the service corridor that virtually nobody ever asks for. If you're on a date or need private conversation, request it specifically when the host checks your reservation. The whole bar only seats around 40 people, so that table is almost invisible on a busy Friday.
Local Insider Tip: "Always call a full week ahead for weekend reservations. If they say they're full, ask to be placed on the cancellation list, then show up at 5:30 PM on Saturday without a reservation asking about last-minute cancellations roughly 40 percent of the time your name comes up within 20 minutes if you're polite and patient."
Green Russell: A Speakeasy Named After a Gold Prospector
Green Russell is hidden behind a butcher shop on Larimer Square, specifically in the 1320 14th Street block. The entrance is literally a side door next to the Green Russell restaurant, and if you're not watching for it, you'll stroll right past. The space underground channels Old West mining culture, all dark wood and low ceilings and candlelight that flickers like lanterns in a shaft. The namesake, Sam Green Russell, was the prospector who kicked off the Pikes Peak Gold Rush in 1858. Ordering a gold rush themed cocktail in a bar named after the man who started it all feels like connecting a direct line to Denver's origin story.
I usually go early, around 5:30 PM on a Wednesday, when the room is quiet enough to hear the ice cracking in your glass. The Sazerac here is the best I've had in Colorado, proper rye, Peychaud's bitters rinsed through the glass, served without any modern twist gimmicks. There's a meat charcuterie board sourced from the butcher storefront above that runs about 28 dollars, and the cuts rotate with what's fresh. Friday nights get crowded fast by 9 PM. The bar narrows to a bottleneck that makes ordering a second round feel like a negotiation.
What most visitors miss is the second-floor loft area. A small staircase leads to roughly six seats and a separate bartender who handles a simplified cocktail list. Most people never look up.
Local Insider Tip: "Skip the Larimer Square parking garages on weekends. Walk three blocks west to the 15th and Blake street garage. It's cheaper, and the 10 minute walk back in the dark feels appropriately speakeasy."
B&GC: The Bar Behind a Bookstore You Can't See From the Street
This one technically operates as an extension of Green Russell but functions as its own distinct experience. B&GC is a smaller room located deeper underground, accessed through a separate entrance that most first time visitors don't even know exists. It seats around 20 people, operates on a limited schedule mostly Thursday through Saturday, and runs a cocktail program that focuses on rare spirits you won't find at other Denver bars.
I visited in March 2024 on a Thursday night, and the bartender was pouring a mezcal sourced from a single village in Oaxaca with fewer than 300 bottles in the entire United States. That kind of access is what B&GC does. The room itself feels like someone's private basement, intimate to the point of feeling like a house party among strangers who share your taste in cocktails.
One realistic criticism is that the limited hours create resentment quickly when you show up on a Tuesday and the room is dark. Plan around the schedule displayed on their Instagram, which updates more reliably than any website.
Local Insider Tip: "Follow their Instagram closely, they post weekly schedule updates and occasionally announce one night only bottle pours 24 hours in advance. Show up within an hour of the announcement or lose your seat."
Occido: Latin American Soul Behind an Unmarked Door
Occido lives on the second floor above a building at 2000 Lawrence Street in the RiNo neighborhood. There is no obvious sign, no visible awning, and the stairwell entrance feels like you're accessing an apartment with a dry cleaner's front. But once you climb the stairs and step inside, you're in a space that feels like a living room designed by someone who studied architecture in Mexico City and grew up listening to cumbia.
The cocktail list leans heavily mezcal and rum based, with seasonal agave variations that rotate every 8 to 12 weeks. Their Paloma Especial uses a house grapefruit shrub that takes three days to prepare, served over hand cracked ice in a narrow highball glass. I ordered it on a Saturday night in January and watched the bartender use a small cheesecloth strainer, the kind you'd see in a home kitchen, for the pour. The food menu is small plates styled around Mexican street corn, Oaxacan cheese empanadas, and a tartare that might be the best bar snack in RiNo.
A downside is that the space is small and doesn't take reservations, so a longer wait on weekend nights is nearly guaranteed after 9 PM. Arriving before 7 PM almost always means a table within 10 minutes.
Local Insider Tip: "Sit at the bar instead of a table. The bartenders talk you through the seasonal menu in a way they don't have time for when serving full tables. You'll walk away knowing twice as much about mezcal."
Leisure Boys: Whiskey, Vinyl, and No Sign Out Front
Leisure Boys sits at 3440 East Colfax Avenue in the Congress Park neighborhood, tucked behind a vintage clothing store with zero signage pointing to the bar. You'd never find it unless someone told you or you read about it, and even then, the entrance feels like you're walking into the wrong place until a door opens and the whiskey scent hits you.
The drink program focuses on American whiskey, bourbon, and rye, with a list of over 200 bottles behind the bar. A vinyl listening station in the corner lets patrons choose records to play through the room's sound system, and the staff curates the selection carefully. I spent an entire Thursday evening in 2023 listening to a rotation of Townes Van Zandt, Joni Mitchell, and something from Motown I couldn't identify but loved.
The food is Southern inspired small plates. Fried chicken bites with a mustard based hot sauce, pimento cheese with house made crackers. On a Thursday, the crowd skews neighborhood local and relaxed. Saturday nights get louder and the vinyl system takes a back seat to a DJ setup. The most overlooked detail is that the patio entrance, if the weather cooperates, keeps you outdoors in Denver's dry climate until around 10 PM even in November.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask about the off menu whiskey flights. The staff keeps a separate list accessible only via conversation. They'll pour three 1 ounce pours of rare stock for around 38 dollars, which is less than what a single ounce costs at most cocktail bars."
Velvet Elk: Western Noir in the Heart of RiNo
Velvet Elk operates in the 3000 block of Walnut Street in RiNo, accessed through an unmarked doorway that opens into a dimly lit staircase leading down. The design is Western noir, leather banquettes, mounted animal heads that the owners insist are ethically sourced and antique, and a cocktail list that reads like a novel, full sentences describing each drink instead of ingredient lists.
I went on a Friday night in December and ordered the Smoked Sage Old Fashioned, which the bartender presents with a cloche of applewood smoke that gets cracked open tableside. The drink itself uses a 12 year rye, house bitters, and a sage syrup that tastes like the mountains smell after a rainstorm. Elk sliders with a proprietary ciabatta bun run about 19 dollars for three, and they're rich enough to justify the price without filling you up.
The air ventilation system struggles on busy weekend evenings. By 10 PM on a packed Friday, the room can feel warm and a little haze lingers near the ceiling. Keep that in mind if you prefer crisp air.
Local Insider Tip: "Go on a Monday or Tuesday. The cocktail program is identical, the bartenders are more conversational, and you'll essentially have a staff of three tending to at most 15 people in the room."
EDC: Elevated Drinks in a Basement You'll Almost Miss
EDC occupies a basement level at 3000 Downing Street in the RiNo Art District, and the entrance is a subtle door marked only by a small sign near an art gallery. It's one of the more polished secret bar Denver venues, with tile floors, hanging greenery, and a cocktail program that sources ingredients from Colorado farms and distilleries.
Their gin and tonic is the drink I recommend to anyone who thinks gin and tonic is boring. They build it with a small batch Colorado gin, house tonic syrup simmered with cinchona bark, and a sprig of rosemary from a farm in Palisade. Served in a wide mouth glass over one large format ice cube, it's the kind of drink that makes you rethink every bad variation you've had before. The food menu is New American small plates. A roasted beet salad with whipped chèvre and hazelnuts runs around 16 dollars and holds up as a standalone meal on busier nights when the kitchen is pushed.
Reservations can be difficult to secure on weekends. The bar also gets acoustically loud after 90 people fill the room, making conversation a challenge with anyone more than two feet away.
Local Insider Tip: "Request a seat at the far end of the bar facing the kitchen pass when you arrive. You can watch every plate go out, and the bartender stationed there is typically the most senior with access to reserve bottles not listed on the printed menu."
The 1UP: A Barcade With a Secret Back Room
The 1UP Barcade at 1920 Curtis Street in the Central Business District is not a speakeasy in the traditional sense. It's a five story arcade bar with pinball machines, skeeball lanes, and rows of classic arcade cabinets visible from the street. But on certain nights, a back room hidden behind a false wall opens up, hosting limited capacity events with craft cocktails, live DJ sets, and themed decor that changes with each event.
I first stumbled into the secret room by accident on a Saturday in 2019, following a crowd through what looked like a storage area. The room was set up speakeasy style, low lights, a portable bar specializing in tiki cocktails, and a DJ playing vinyl hip hop. That experience taught me that Denver's underground bar Denver culture isn't confined to purpose built speakeasies. The city layers secrets inside obvious spaces all the time.
The standard barcade level is worth visiting on its own. Classic arcade cabinets cost 25 cents per play, and the draft beer list runs about 30 taps. The back room events are announced through the venue's social media and infrequently by word of mouth. Getting in requires showing up when doors open and sometimes messaging the organizers directly.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask any employee about back room events and most of the time they'll tell you the schedule if you sound legitimately interested rather than tourist curious. The events happen roughly every four to six weeks, and the crowd is always better when the room is at capacity rather than oversold."
When to Go / What to Know
Denver's hidden bars follow distinct patterns. Tuesday through Thursday evenings offer the best chance for an unhurried experience, with most rooms seating walk ins comfortably before 8 PM. Friday and Saturday nights peak between 9 PM and midnight, and waits of 45 minutes to 90 minutes are common at the more popular spots. Winter months, particularly January through March, attract smaller crowds, making it easier to secure reservations at even the most booked venues. Altitude affects alcohol faster than most visitors expect. Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level, so pacing matters. Drinking water between cocktails is not a suggestion, it is a survival tactic. Most of these bars cash or card, though a few smaller secret bar Denver spots still operate cash only, especially for tips. Always carry a $20 bill just in case. Dress codes range from Denver casual to smart polished. Velvet Elk and Green Russell lean more polished. The 1UP's main floor does not care what you wear. RiNo venues tend toward relaxed and artsy. Never show up at any of these places hammered. Denver's hidden bar community takes its craft seriously, and sloppy guests get noticed and remembered, not in the way you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Denver?
Most Denver speakeasies and casual bars allow jeans and sneakers without issue. Upscale hidden bars like Williams & Graham and Green Russell prefer smart casual attire, collared shirts or equivalent for men, and polished footwear. Visible intoxication at the door gets you turned away at nearly every establishment in the city. Tipping 20 to 25 percent at cocktail bars is standard, and bartenders in Denver remember consistent tippers across visits.
Is the tap water in Denver safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?
Denver's tap water is sourced from snowmelt in the Rocky Mountains and is treated by Denver Water, which consistently meets or exceeds federal EPA standards. It is safe to drink directly from the tap in every neighborhood covered in this guide. Many hidden bars serve tap water with lemon or lime without additional filtration. Travelers with severe sensitivities may prefer bottled water, but the vast majority of locals and visitors drink tap without concern.
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Denver is famous for?
Colorado whiskey, particularly Stranahan's Blue Peak Single Malt distilled in Denver, is the most locally significant spirit you should order at least once. For food, a classic Denver green chile smothered on anything from burritos to burgers is the city's most iconic regional flavor. At speakeasies specifically, ask for locally sourced agave spirits or Colorado distilled gin, which several featured bars stock as a point of pride.
Is Denver expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.**
A mid-tier daily budget in Denver runs approximately 150 to 225 dollars per person, excluding lodging. This covers two to three craft cocktails averaging 14 to 18 dollars each, one meal at a mid-range restaurant (30 to 50 dollars including tip), transportation via rideshare or public transit (15 to 25 dollars), and incidental snacks or drinks. High end days with fine dining and premium cocktail experiences can push past 350 dollars. Budget-conscious travelers eating at lunch specials and visiting bars during happy hour can manage closer to 100 dollars.
How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Denver?
Denver has an extensive vegan and vegetarian dining scene, with dozens of fully plant-based restaurants and nearly every speakeasy and hidden bar offering at least one or two plant-based menu items. Restaurants like City O' City and Watercourse operate entirely vegan menus within a 10 minute walk of multiple venues on this list. Most bars can modify dishes or offer small plates like salads, vegetable tartares, or plant-based charcuterie boards. Calling ahead for severe dietary restrictions is still advisable, but availability is generally excellent compared to most American cities of comparable size.
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