Last updated on November 22nd, 2020 at 09:45 pm
When I turned 21, I was so excited, and surprised, to find out how many speakeasies there are in Denver. This quickly turned into a hobby and I had to try them all! Discovering the secret entrance to these hidden bars and enjoying a classic cocktail in the secluded, retro interior makes for an unforgettable evening. Do not miss out on these Denver speakeasy bars.
What is a speakeasy?
Speakeasies originated in the Prohibition era, between 1920 and 1933. During this time, the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol were illegal in the US under the 18th Amendment. Drinking alcohol was technically legal, but many people didn’t have access to large storages of alcohol.
Speakeasies, or blind pigs, began opening as illicit establishments that served alcohol sold by bootleggers. These bars had to remain secret and it was required that you “speak easy” when giving the password at the door to not be overheard by law enforcement.
Organized criminals were involved in selling alcohol and creating these speakeasy bars, which began popping up all over the country. Often the alcohol that was sold by the bootleggers was watered down, or worse – not safe to drink. This led people to mix their drinks with soda, fruit, or other flavorings, and the cocktail was created.
Read More: Enjoy the Best Bars for Summer in Denver
Speakeasies Today
The 18th Amendment was appealed in 1933 (thank goodness!), so the speakeasies of the prohibition era closed or were replaced by licensed bars. Today, speakeasies are retro bars, sometimes hidden in another establishment, behind an unmarked door, or requiring a password. They are often some of the best places to get a craft cocktail.
I have visited many speakeasies in my travels, but some of my favorites are in Denver. Check out these Denver speakeasy bars.
Denver Speakeasy Bars
Retrograde – Uptown
The front shop for Retrograde is an ice cream shop, Frozen Matter, which was immediately appealing to me. To get in, you flip the light switch near the commercial size freezer door and wait for the door to open. Someone will let you in or put you on the waitlist. The wait can be long, but luckily there are games and ice cream to entertain you.
The menu offers craft cocktails described by characteristics, instead of ingredients, to urge people to step out of their comfort zone. I ordered the Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots which was described as floral, wine, and egg white. It was amazing!
The atmosphere here is fun and retro with purple lighting, large orb-shaped lights, and a wavy, futuristic-looking bar.
Address: 530 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
How to get in: Enter Frozen Matter ice cream shop and walk past the counter. Flip the light switch near the freezer door and wait for the door to open.
Williams and Graham – LoHi
Williams and Graham is a very popular spot, so get there early or plan to wait a while. The bar has a sign on the door that says Williams and Graham Booksellers. Walk inside and they will put you on the waitlist, usually an hour to an hour and a half. Luckily there are a lot of great bars in the area, including a dive bar next door, Occidental, which has the same owners.
Once they text you a notification, you will be allowed entrance through a door that appears to be a bookshelf. Inside you will find dark corner booths and bartenders who can shake and stir at the same time. The menu features classic cocktails organized by spirit as well as signature cocktails.
Address: 3160 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211
How to get in: Enter Williams and Graham Booksellers and they will take you through the secret door.
Green Russell – Larimer Square
Another cozy, prohibition-style bar, Green Russell has a functioning pie shop as their front business. It is on Larimer Square, but you have to go down a flight of stairs and enter through a door that says Wednesday’s Pies. There is a sign above the stairs that says, “Green Russell” and below that, “Russell’s Smokehouse.”
Tell the hostess you are looking for Green Russell and they will put you on the list. It may be a bit of a wait unless you get there early. They serve an assortment of classic cocktails, signature cocktails, and flights as well as some great food. They will also create a cocktail for you with your spirit of choice. Just make sure you follow their rules!
Address: 1422 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202
How to get in: From Larimer’s Square, find the sign for Green Russell and descend the stairs. Enter through Wednesday’s Pies and the hostess will seat you when there is a table available.
The Cruise Room – LoDo
I walked into this place accidentally. While bar-hopping with the crew one night, a couple of friends suggested we visit a classier place that they had been to on a haunted bar crawl. Of course, I said yes! Little did I know that the bar was, The Cruise Room, a speakeasy tucked away in the Oxford Hotel. I had been wanting to visit for quite a while!
Unlike some of the other speakeasies in Denver, this one did not have a waitlist and we wandered in on a Saturday night. We had to stand in the aisle for a few minutes, but then we easily found two tables for our large party.
The Cruise Room opened in 1933, immediately after Prohibition ended, and is the longest-running bar in Denver. This historic bar is influenced by Art Deco and has pink lighting throughout. The bathroom downstairs is supposed to be haunted although I didn’t have any ghostly experiences. The menu is an extensive list of classic cocktails and small bites.
Address: 1600 17th St, Denver, CO 80202
How to get in: Enter through the Oxford Hotel and find The Cruise Room to your left.
Read More: Best Winter Activities in Denver
Run for the Roses – LoDo
Run for the Roses is a speakeasy on LoDo’s Dairy Block. Enter Dairy Block from 18th street and enter the building on the right. Inside there are several shops but continue down the hallway to the right and take the elevator. Once downstairs, there is another long hallway leading to the door to check in.
Run for the Roses offers a selection of classic cocktails organized by the type of alcohol. Their menu is available as a deck of cards, detailing the name of each drink and the ingredients. This can be purchased when reservations are made for only $6 or purchased after arrival for $11. I recommend purchasing the cards because they are a cute memento and provide entertainment while you enjoy your drinks. If you don’t purchase the cards, paper menus are available.
I tried the Rose Cocktail, which was floral and not too sweet, and Luke tried the Tipperary, which was also good. The atmosphere, drinks, and overall experience at Run for the Roses were great. It is not a speakeasy that you want to miss.
Address: 1801 Blake St #10, Denver, CO 80202
How to get in: Enter through Dairy Block and take the elevator down to the basement.
Millers & Rossi – RiNo
Millers & Rossi is located in RiNo Arts District, one of my favorite up-and-coming neighborhoods in Denver. You may think this is just a retro ice cream parlor, but the host will lead you through the refrigerator into a hidden bar. Inside you will find Edison lights and a beautiful brick bar as well as an abundance of handcrafted cocktails, wine, beer, and snacks.
When we visited, they had a fall cocktail menu including house cocktails, tiki drinks, and shot specials. We tried several of the house cocktails and all of them were incredible. The salted oreo ice cream was also great.
Address: 3542 Walnut St, Denver, CO 80205
How to get in: Enter through the refrigerator in the Millers & Rossi ice cream parlor.
Golden Moon Speak – Golden
Golden Moon Speak is in Golden, not Denver, but it is close enough that it is worth visiting. This is the first speakeasy that I ever visited. The speakeasy entrance used to be from Washington Avenue, where there is a nondescript sign with a face of fruit and an unmarked door. Behind the door, there is a long hallway which ultimately leads to a cozy cocktail bar. This hallway has since closed, unfortunately, because the residents of the building didn’t enjoy the foot traffic. Now you have to enter the bar from Miner’s Alley.
This speakeasy is a tasting room, so they only use their own spirits to make classic cocktails and creatively crafted drinks. They have many unique spirits to try like absinthe, crème de violette, and génépi. In total, they produce 14 different spirits that you can sample or try in a delicious and well-balanced mixed drink. I have had many things from Golden Moon Speak and they have all been fantastic.
Address: 1111 Miner’s Alley, Golden, CO 80401
How to get in: Enter through Miner’s Alley.
I am always looking for new, hidden spots in Denver! Have you visited any speakeasy bars in Denver? Which speakeasy is your favorite?
Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later!
