Nightlife · Denver · United States
Denver nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Denver, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Denver nightlife combines brewery taprooms, cocktail bars, sports bars and an excellent live-music scene, from Red Rocks to small clubs. Most bars close at 2am. The main areas are LoDo, RiNo, Colfax Avenue, LoHi and South Broadway.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- LoDo and Union Station
- Local drink
- Colorado craft beer
Where to go out
LoDo
Sports bars, clubs and rooftop bars near Coors Field and Union Station, busiest on game nights.
RiNo
Breweries, distilleries, cocktail bars and music venues in converted warehouses.
Colfax Avenue
Music venues such as the Ogden Theatre and Bluebird Theater, plus dive bars.
LoHi
Rooftop bars and cocktail lounges with skyline views.
South Broadway
Dive bars, music venues and late-night food.
Nightlife tips
- Alcohol has a stronger effect at altitude; pace yourself and drink water.
- Carry photo ID; it is checked at bars and dispensaries.
- Red Rocks runs shuttles from downtown for many concerts, avoiding parking and driving after drinks.
Evening sights
Landmark · Morrison
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Climb to the top row for sunset views of Denver and the plains; on concert days the amphitheatre closes to visitors in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours, or an evening for a concert
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Outdoors
Street · Downtown and Larimer Square
Larimer Square
Come in the evening when the lights are on, and look for the lower-level cocktail bars.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Food
- History
Landmark · LoDo and Union Station
Coors Field
Cheap rooftop tickets are a sociable way to see a game with mountain sunset views.
- Time needed
- 3 hours for a game
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- After dark
- Views
Experience · Sun Valley
Meow Wolf Convergence Station
Visit on a weekday and allow at least two to three hours to explore.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Art
- Kids
- Rainy day
- After dark
What to drink
- Colorado craft beer — Denver has well over 100 breweries and is home to the Great American Beer Festival. Styles range from IPAs and sours to lagers, and the Coors brewery in nearby Golden runs tours.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 15°C (59°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:59 | -8°C (18°F) | 5 |
| April | About 19:38 | 1°C (34°F) | 9 |
| July | About 20:27 | 15°C (59°F) | 9 |
| October | About 18:21 | 2°C (36°F) | 5 |
Getting home late
- Tram — RTD light-rail lines serve downtown, the convention centre, Broadway and the southern suburbs.
- Bus — RTD buses cover the city, and regional routes run to Boulder, including the FF Flatiron Flyer from Union Station.
- Walking — LoDo, Larimer Square, the 16th Street Mall and the Golden Triangle are within about 20 minutes on foot of each other.
Late-night bites
- Rocky Mountain oysters — Steakhouses and Western-themed restaurants, and at Coors Field concessions.
- Palisade peaches — Farmers' markets and roadside stands, usually from late July to September.
Staying safe at night
Altitude sickness, dehydration and sunburn are common for new arrivals, so drink water and limit alcohol on the first day. In the mountains, afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning risk above the treeline, so start hikes early. Car break-ins happen at trailheads and downtown lots.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife and food lovers
LoDo and Union Station
Lower Downtown (LoDo) is Denver's historic warehouse district, now full of restaurants, bars and hotels. Union Station, restored as a hotel, food hall and rail hub, has trains to the airport, and Coors Field, Larimer Square and the riverside Commons Park are all within walking distance.
- Good
- Direct train to the airport; Walkable to bars and restaurants; Central for day trips by train
- Watch out
- Busy and loud on game days; Expensive hotels and parking
- Nearby
- Denver Union Station, Coors Field, Larimer Square, Confluence Park
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Denver?
LoDo, RiNo and Colfax Avenue. Sports bars, clubs and rooftop bars near Coors Field and Union Station, busiest on game nights.
+Which area of Denver is best for nightlife?
LoDo and Union Station: Restored warehouses, the station hub, Coors Field and sports bars.