Have you ever been to Denver? I mean really been to Denver, not flew into DIA hopped on a shuttle and headed straight to the mountains. No? Well, neither had I until I packed up my bags and move here. Well, actually I visited once a few months before but I had already decided with Denver’s close proximity to the mountains and international airport, this was the place for me.
My feelings were confirmed on that first visit when I saw the Neiman Marcus in Cherry Creek and sipped drinks on the Linger rooftop! A lot has changed since I moved to Denver 6 years ago so here is my quick guide to this amazing city.
I must warn you though… during and after your trip to Denver, you may experience strong feelings to pack up and move across the country. Totally normal, happens to everyone, seriously I mean with over a 1,000 residents moving every month! Denver is THE place to be. But really don’t move here we are full!
Where to Stay
Find a hotel in LoDo, Downtown or RiNo you will be set. Here are some of my favs! The Maven Hotel at the Dairy Block is my go-to recommendation. We did a staycation there in the fall that was so fun! Read all about it here.
Denver Hilton – Great for a work trip! Hotel Teatro, The Maven in the Dairy Block, The Hotel Monaco, & The Crawford Hotel.
Denver Hilton City Center Lunch
The Maven Hotel
Where to Eat
Linger – This was the hottest restaurant in the city when I moved here and still is. You will need to make reservations in advance! Totally worth it!
El Five – Linger’s sister restaurant that stole back its beautiful rooftop. Make reservations even for grabbing a drink! A must see/do!
Avanti Food & Beverage – Food stall and rooftops – this is perfect for feeding a crowd, day drinking, happy hour… really anytime it’s fun.
Snooze – With a few locations around Denver this local favorite has amazing brunch. Be prepared to wait!
The Rio – Cheap margs and yummy Mexican, The Rio is a Denver staple also great for big groups.
Pizza Republica – If you are here for work at the convention center this place is right there and SO freaking good. I love their pizza.
Other places to check out – Cart Driver, Hop Ally, Denver Central Market, Margs, Blue Moon Brewery, Barcelona Wine Bar, Tupelo Honey, The Pig & The Sprout, Masterpiece Deli.
Where to Drink
I will be the first to admit the LoDo bar scene is not my scene, but the area is literally covered in drinking wholes from unci-unci nightclubs, MTV Spring break bars, dive bars, breweries, and distillers you will have no problem bar hopping in this area.
El Five – Head to here for drinks before your reservation at Linger. Or if you can eat here too, the food, drinks and the VIEWS are incredible!
El Five Denver View
Ophelias – Check out the lineup and come here for drinks also great for brunch or dinner!
Denver Beer Co. & Recess Beer Garden – Is it sunny? head over for great beers on this huge patio
Terminal Bar – The perfect place to start your night is the Terminal Bar in Denver’s Union Station. Great for groups and central to literally everything.
Neon Baby – If you like Motown, funk, disco, check out Neon Baby
Other spots I like – Mile High Spirits, Herbs (dive bar with live music), Infinite Monkey Theorem, Great Divide Brewery, Williams & Grahm Speakeasy, Poka Lola Social Club., two great dive bars outside downtown Don’s & Lincoln’s Roadhouse.
Avanti
What to Do
Breweries – Most breweries in the area also offer tours so you can make a day brewing tour hopping all over the city.
Red Rocks – Even if you can’t make a show it’s worth the trip just to see the venue, walk the steps, hike the beautiful trails and explore the museum. I have a full guide to visiting Red Rocks for a show here.
Shop – Yes!Denver has great shopping! Cherry Creek Mall is world class and Cherry Creek North is filled with high-end designers and local boutiques. The following hoods all have great shopping as well.
The Neighborhoods
South Pearl Street – My old stomping grounds! Every Sunday from late May to late October is a fabulous farmers market, seriously best in the city. The best sushi in the city can also be found here Sushi Den and sister restaurant Izakah Den, Plus some pretty serious shopping at Melrose & Madison, Gracie’s & Paige on Pearl.
Union Station – The crowning jewel of Denver – great for drinks and so many great restaurants in the area
RiNo – River North is the hottest spot in Denver. The sheer number of restaurants and bars opening here is pretty crazy. Basically, everything I listed above under where to drink and eat is in RiNo.
South Broadway
South Broadway – Some of my favorite bars and restaurants are on South Broadway. Great place to bar hop day or night. Canopy is super hip “sports” bar with great decor – byo food. Punch Bowl Social has bowling and games galore and Historians Ale House has a great rooftop. There are also lots of cool small boutiques and shops.
Canopy Bar Denver
Highlands Square – The Highlands is a super cute and hip neighborhood near downtown, you can shop, eat and drink to your heart’s content. Fire on the Mountain for wings and Blue Pan Pizza for my favorite pizza in Denver.
Boulder – Probably easiest with a car but there is a bus that will take you to Boulder if you want to go explore for the day. From the bus drop off you can walk to the Flatirons for a hike and stroll the Pearl Street Mall.
Really great read. Do you have any recommendations for night life karaoke??, My wife and I love to sing.
So I have yet to go myself but I have heard VoiceBox in RiNo is super fun. Not exactly karaoke but I love dueling pianos bars like Howling at the Moon.