5 Dive Bars Where You Can Pregame (and Postgame, Too!)

Denver may have lost one of its most legendary bars when El Chapultepec shut down last year. But even if you can’t get a longneck with a side of jazz anymore, there are still plenty of quality dives within walking distance of Coors Field. (If you’re willing to go a little farther afield, visit our guide to the city’s best dive bars.) Before the first pitch—or after the final out—throw back a few at any of these delightfully divey Mile High City watering holes.

British Bulldog

The Vibe: London pub, by way of the Mile High City. You’ll find a pressed-tin ceiling, tile floor, and lots of football fans. And by football, we mean soccer.
What You’re Drinking: Guinness, Harp, or an English pale ale.
What You’re Eating: Fish ’n chips, or any of the Pakistani specialties.
Walking Distance from Coors Field: Thirteen minutes

Carioca Cafe (aka Bar Bar)

The Vibe: The grit and grime in Bar Bar accumulated over the years cannot be replicated in ersatz dives. Nor should it. This place is a true shithole, in the best possible way. Bring cash—credit cards aren’t accepted—put a few bucks in the jukebox, and drink in the ambience of the diveyest of the dive bars in Denver. (Or anywhere, for that matter.)
What You’re Drinking: Domestic brews in cans, most likely PBR.
What You’re Eating: You will not want to put anything in your mouth other than alcohol here. If you’re hungry, try Yazoo Barbeque Company across Broadway.
Walking Distance from Coors Field: Twelve minutes

Gerard’s Pool Hall

The Vibe: Calling this a dive might be a stretch, but it’s off an alley—which somehow makes it feel just shady enough to qualify. There’s a roomy pool hall with seven tables on the main level, and an intimate, retro-feeling bar upstairs.
What You’re Drinking: The classics: A Manhattan or a martini. Or try the Cue Libre, a punny play on the Cuba Libre, made with the Family Jones rum, Coke, and a dash of Luxardo cherry juice.
What You’re Eating: Order delivery from Adobo at First Draft or Vero Italian, which is in Denver Central Market.
Walking Distance from Coors Field: Thirteen minutes

Star Bar

The Vibe: Slightly grungy, in the way all dive bars should be. The bartenders have a fondness for rum and tiki drinks, and the music ranges from progressive metal to Americana to rockabilly. There’s nothing particularly special about Star Bar; it just has a cozy amount of grit.
What You’re Drinking: Rum Old Fashioned (we suggest upgrading from the well rum to Plantation 5 Year).
What You’re Eating: Wings and fries from the Kings County Kitchen trailer in Star Bar’s parking lot.
Walking Distance from Coors Field: Five minutes

Whiskey Bar

The Vibe: Regulars and Ballpark neighborhood bros seek out this corner bar with a couple of video games, lots and lots of whiskey-related ephemera, and plenty of windows, so you don’t feel like you’re drinking in a cave.
What You’re Drinking: Whiskey, duh. At the time this story posted, there were 610 whiskeys to choose from, but we’re fans of moderately priced Kentucky Straight Bourbons, like Eagle Rare.
What You’re Eating: Grab a hot dog at the ballpark—Whiskey Bar doesn’t serve food.
Walking Distance from Coors Field: Seven minutes