The 18 Best Hotel Bars in Denver and Beyond

When you’re on vacation, taking a seat at the hotel bar and ordering a decadent cocktail feels like a true treat, especially after a long day of travel. But even for locals, hotel bars seem to have an undeniable draw.

Maybe it’s because they typically incorporate gorgeous interior design and deliver consistently good service. Or maybe it’s the prime people-watching. At most urban hotel bars, you’ll encounter a mix of serious business travelers, neighborhood regulars, fun-loving tourists, romance-seeking couples, and other fellow drinkers of all types. In more remote Colorado mountain towns, these bars often serve as community gathering spaces, too. And because they cater to a wide variety of patrons, the drink lists are typically long and diverse, often with a focus on the Centennial State’s talented brewers, distillers, and winemakers.

Below, we cull our favorite hotel bars in Denver, Boulder, and across Colorado—so next time you’re craving a cocktail in a decadent space, you have at least 18 options.

Jump Ahead:

• Cooper Lounge (Denver)
• 54Thirty Rooftop (Denver)
• The Atrium of the Brown Palace (Denver)
• Death & Co. (Denver)
• Stellar Jay (Denver)
• Halo Rooftop Bar (Denver)
• The Eddy Taproom (Golden)
• License No. 1 (Boulder)
• T-Zero Lounge (Boulder)
• Ace Gillett’s (Fort Collins)
• Golden Hour (Colorado Springs)
• Stoke & Rye (Avon)
• King’s Club (Vail)
• Coppertop Bar (Glenwood Springs)
• The Living Room & the J-Bar (Aspen)
• Timber Room (Telluride)
• The Bar at the Wyman Hotel (Silverton)
• Devil’s Kitchen (Grand Junction)

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The Best Hotel Bars in Denver

Cooper Lounge at the Crawford Hotel

• Where: 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver (LoDo)
• Cost: $$

Fresh off a major makeover, Cooper Lounge offers a bird’s eye view of Denver Union Station’s bright and airy Great Hall. This elegant spot, located on the second-floor mezzanine, also serves as a hangout for guests of the Crawford, the 112-room luxury hotel that opened in 2014 in Union Station’s old offices and attic space. Cooper Lounge’s cocktails are spot-on (we recommend the Afterglow, made with bourbon, aquavit, banana cinnamon syrup, pineapple juice, and soda water) but don’t sleep on the food menu, either. Even the seemingly simple bread and butter appetizer—which features focaccia, beurre de baratte (salted butter), and marinated olives—is delicious.

54thirty Rooftop at Le Meridien Denver Downtown

• Where: 1475 California St., Denver (Downtown)
• Cost: $$

As Denver’s highest open-air bar, 54thirty offers some of the best views in town. And as if ogling the Mile High City’s dramatic sunsets and twinkling skyline wasn’t enough, this bar atop the Le Meridien Denver Downtown also has a diverse drink menu with a little something for everyone—classy craft cocktails, on-trend frozen drinks, bubbles, beer, and more. 54thirty is so popular that it can be hard to get a spot (it’s all first-come, first-served here—no reservations, unfortunately), but it’s well worth the wait when you’re finally able to gaze out over the Rockies with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé in your hand.

The Atrium of the Brown Palace

• Where: 321 17th St., Denver (Downtown)
• Cost: $$

Sip an Old Fashioned in the atrium of the Brown Palace, and you’ll feel like a time traveler who’s been transported back to a more glamorous era. The atrium—which doubles as the Brown Palace’s lobby—has been welcoming travelers for more than 140 years, with its spacious, eight-story-tall stained glass ceiling and Florentine arches. It’s only open for cocktails a few hours each week (4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday), but a visit is worth rearranging your schedule for, especially if you love classic cocktails and Italian Renaissance architecture. Drop by on a Friday or a Saturday to catch some live jazz, then wander into Palace Arms for dinner among the collection of Napoleonic artifacts.

Death & Co. at the Ramble Hotel

• Where: 1280 25th Street, Denver
• Cost: $$

Denver bartenders at the Mile High City outpost of Death & Co. spend months developing and testing new cocktail recipes for each season—and that level of precision shines through in every one of the bar’s sumptuous drinks. Ideally situated in RiNo inside the Ramble Hotel, this opulent lobby bar boasts high ceilings, massive windows, and intimate tables—perfect for enjoying the Morning Dove, a light and playful drink made with tequila, amaro, grapefruit juice, cinnamon, and seltzer.

Stellar Jay at Populus

• Where: 240 14th St., Denver
• Cost: $$

If you’ve spent any time in the mountains, you’ve likely encountered a Steller’s jay, a midnight-blue bird with a spiky mohawk and a piercing call. The team behind Populus liked this striking bird so much, they decided to name the hotel’s rooftop bar after it—with a playful twist on the spelling. Perched on the 13th floor, Stellar Jay offers jaw-dropping views of the city skyline and the capitol building. Take it all in while munching on bites cooked over an open flame (we recommend the bison and venison skewer) and sipping punchy cocktails like the Jaybird Negroni, made with pineapple rum, gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.

Halo Rooftop Bar at the Kimpton Claret Hotel

• Where: 6985 E. Chenango Ave., Denver
• Cost: $$

On the 19th floor, Halo Rooftop Bar provides the perfect perch for watching the sun dip behind the Rockies and paint the sky dazzling shades of orange, pink, and purple. It’s part of the new Kimpton Claret Hotel, a tall, modern property with 190 rooms that opened in southeast Denver’s Belleview Station neighborhood last summer. Helmed by executive chef Christian Graves, Halo offers shareable snacks like spiced nuts and marinated olives, as well as heartier fare like red wine-braised short ribs and macaroni and cheese balls. For drinks, meanwhile, bartenders are whipping up inventive, conversation-starting cocktails such as the Banana Hammock, made with gin, banana liqueur, pineapple syrup, lemon juice, cream, and egg white.

The Best Hotel Bars Beyond Denver

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel

• Where: 1640 8th St., Golden
• Cost: $$

You know the bar is a top priority at the Eddy, a 49-room hotel in Golden, because the word “taproom” is right there in the name. The Eddy Taproom—and its sprawling patio and lawn space—feels very quintessentially Colorado, thanks to views of the iconic Lookout Mountain, Western-chic decor, and a menu that’s brimming with local craft beers and cocktails (including the hotel’s own signature brews). It’s an ideal spot to post up for a lazy afternoon in the summer and challenge your friends to a game of giant lawn chess. (And if you don’t feel like going home afterward, you can share a nostalgic room with bunk beds at the hotel, too).

License No. 1 at Hotel Boulderado

• Where: 2115 13th St., Boulder
• Cost: $$

Tucked beneath the historic Hotel Boulderado, License No. 1 has been a Boulder staple (legally) since 1969, when the state issued it one of the first liquor licenses after Prohibition. Today, this popular subterranean bar makes both classic and more inventive cocktails (like the Fugit About It, made with rum, vermouth infused with dark chocolate and cardamom, absinthe, crème de cacao, fernet, and pecan pie bitters) in a warm, inviting environment that’s reminiscent of a speakeasy. And with a full calendar of rotating live music and “underground comedy” shows, there’s always a new reason to visit.

T-Zero Lounge at St Julien Hotel & Spa

• Where: 900 Walnut St., Boulder
• Cost: $$

Nestled at the base of the Foothills a block off Pearl Street, St Julien is Boulder’s most luxurious hotel, so it tracks that its lobby bar, T-Zero Lounge, is also a great place to grab a drink. With high ceilings, a crackling fireplace, plush couches, and floor-to-ceiling windows for taking in the view of the Flatirons, T-Zero is ideal for a quiet date night or an upscale after-work happy hour with colleagues. (And 2025 is extra special, as St Julien is celebrating its 20th anniversary.)

Read More: Hotel Boulderado vs. St Julien Hotel & Spa

Ace Gillett’s at the Armstrong Hotel

• Where: 239 S College Ave., Fort Collins
• Cost: $$

With its sexy, vintage vibe and trendy cocktail list, Ace Gillett’s is a Fort Collins favorite for both far-flung travelers staying at the historic Armstrong Hotel and Front Rangers just popping in for a drink. The plush booths, exposed brick walls, rich wood tones, and spinning vinyl make this a cozy spot where you’ll want to linger for a few hours. Order a classic cocktail or go for something a bit more playful, like the Middle Management, an earthy rye drink that tastes best while listening to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.”

Golden Hour at the Mining Exchange Hotel

• Where: 8 S. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs
• Cost: $$

When it opened in downtown Colorado Springs more than a century ago, the Mining Exchange served as a bustling hub for mining tycoons and investors dealing in precious metals. After a major renovation, it reopened in 2024 as a lovingly restored, 128-room hotel with lots of historic touches. Even if you can’t stay the night, it’s worth a visit for the sumptuous lobby bar alone. Golden Hour is a cozy spot to tuck into a drink any night of the week, but it’s especially buzzy on Thursdays, when it hosts live jazz pop-ups curated by Dizzy Charlie’s Music & Events. Grab one of the gold chairs at the bar or head out onto the breezy courtyard while sipping a classy cocktail like the Smoked Stratton, made with whiskey, gingercello, and bitters.

Stoke & Rye at the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon

• Where: 126 Riverfront Ln., Avon
• Cost: $$$

Plan a road trip to the Vail Valley so you can grab a drink at Stoke & Rye, located inside the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, Avon. Dreamed up by chef Richard Sandoval, the restaurant serves hearty American fare and alpine-inspired dishes ranging from mountain trout crudo to cast-iron chicken. But Stoke & Rye’s bar also stands on its own: Diners can choose from more than 160 whiskeys, plus an extensive craft cocktail menu. And the mountain views of the Gore Range from the patio and floor-to-ceiling windows are seriously impressive.

King’s Club at Sonnenalp Hotel

• Where: 20 Vail Rd., Vail
• Cost: $$

Step inside Vail’s Sonnenalp Hotel and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Bavaria—for good reason. Its owners, the Faessler family, have a sister property in Ofterschwang, Germany. The property’s tasteful, European-inspired decor and hospitality extend to the King’s Club, a cozy lounge on the ground floor with plush couches, a crackling fireplace, and living room vibes. Guitarists and pianists regularly play live music here (some may even belt out a traditional German tune!), so you can make yourself right at home after skiing or mountain biking all day.

Coppertop Bar at Hotel Colorado

• Where: 526 Pine St., Glenwood Springs
• Cost: $$

After a day of splashing around Glenwood Springs’ geothermally heated waters or biking along the Rio Grande Trail, there’s nothing more refreshing than sipping a chilly drink at the Coppertop Bar in the garden of the historic Hotel Colorado. The 1893 hotel’s lush courtyard is bejeweled with flowers and shaded by tall trees that make the Glenwood summer heat more bearable—and invigorating cocktails like spritzers and gimlets don’t hurt, either.

The Living Room and the J-Bar at Hotel Jerome

• Where: 330 E Main St., Aspen
• Cost: $$$

Bartenders have been slinging drinks at the Hotel Jerome since 1889, and that experience is reflected at both the Living Room and the J-Bar (as well as the hotel’s speakeasy, Bad Harriet, next door). The J-Bar is an ideal spot to pop in for an afternoon Aspen Crud, a Prohibition-era milkshake spiked with bourbon, while the Living Room’s dark, sultry atmosphere is a cozy spot to see and be seen for Aspen residents and visitors alike.

Timber Room at Madeline Hotel & Residences

• Where: 568 Mountain Village Blvd., Telluride
• Cost: $$$

Since opening in 2021, the Timber Room at Madeline Hotel & Residences has firmly cemented itself as a Telluride hot spot. It’s easy to see why: This stylish après-ski bar and restaurant boasts a warm, brightly lit bar, intimate seating nooks, and a smart cocktail list (we recommend the Alpinist Martini, featuring rosemary-infused vodka, dry vermouth, a lemon wash, and blue cheese-stuffed olives), plus a menu full of hearty mountain fare. The high-end hotel is in Mountain Village at the base of the slopes, so it offers easy access to all the outdoor adventures the San Juans have to offer, while still being just a quick free gondola ride from downtown Telluride.

The Bar at the Wyman Hotel

• Where: 1371 Greene St., Silverton
• Cost: $

After a day of often-precarious driving to reach Silverton—the remote, sparsely populated former mining town in the San Juan Mountains—the bar at the Wyman Hotel is a welcome sight. It’s located on the ground floor of a 1902 building that owners Shane Fuhrman and Haley Morgan painstakingly restored to its former glory—and put their own Instagram-worthy spin on in the process. As a boutique hotel, the Wyman has just 15 rooms, but that intimacy is what makes its bar so special. Wander down for a glass of natural wine, and you’re sure to strike up a conversation with fellow road-weary travelers. Bartenders also gladly serve drinks in the hotel’s twinkle-light-adorned courtyard, which regularly hosts intimate concerts. When you need a pick-me-up the next morning, the bar blessedly transforms into a coffee shop.

Devil’s Kitchen at Hotel Maverick

• Where: 840 Kennedy Ave., Grand Junction
• Cost: $$

No matter what time of year you visit, checking into Grand Junction’s Hotel Maverick—and grabbing a drink at its rooftop bar and restaurant, Devil’s Kitchen—gives you that giddy, back-to-school feeling you used to get every August as a kid.

Operated as a training ground for hospitality students at Colorado Mesa University, the property is brimming with thoughtful touches that help visitors learn about the university and Grand Junction more broadly. Head up to Devil’s Kitchen for views of the sprawling, manicured CMU lawn (and its epic pump track) while enjoying cocktail recipes developed by some of the university’s trustees. On the way, stop to admire the framed historical photographs and news clippings that hang on the walls. And be sure to take advantage of Devil’s Kitchen’s seasonal cocktails, especially around September and October, when farmers in nearby Palisade harvest delicious, drip-down-your-chin-juicy peaches.