Some days demand a drink before you get home—but one far enough from the office that your boss won’t overhear your bellyaching. For these times, you need a commuter bar: a place where you’re guaranteed a solid drink, decent company (if you want it), and a short stumble to your light-rail stop (about 10 minutes or less) once your spirit’s been lifted.

5280 February 2015
More From The Issue

Littleton Downtown (C, D)

Wine: Kate’s Wine Bar
Beer: The Tavern Littleton

Alameda (C, D, E, F, H)

Marg: Illegal Pete’s
Beer: Gary Lee’s Motor Club & Grub
Cocktail: Adrift Tiki Bar & Grill

10th and Osage (C, D, E, F, H)

Beer: Renegade Brewing Co.

Pepsi Center/Elitch Gardens (C, E, W)

Beer/Shot: Brooklyn’s

Union Station (C, E, W)

Cocktail: Mercantile
Beer: Terminal Bar
Cocktail: Cooper Lounge
Bubbly: Stoic & Genuine
Cocktail: Snooze
Marg/Shot: Machete
Beer: Wynkoop Brewing Company
Beer: Thirsty Lion

Federal Center (W)

Beer: Chad’s Grill
Wine: La Cave

Dry Creek (E, F)

Beer: Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizzeria
Wine: Chinook Tavern

Belleview (E, F)

Wine: Shanahan’s Steakhouse

Louisiana and Pearl (E, F, H)

Beer: Hanson’s Grill & Tavern
Wine: The Village Cork

Theatre District/Convention Center (D, F, H)

Beer: Stout Street Social
Cocktail: The Corner Office

16th and California (D, F, H)

Wine or Bubbly: Peaks Lounge

18th and California (D, F, H)

Wine: Guard and Grace
Beer: Shelby’s Bar & Grill

20th and Welton (D)

Beer: The British Bulldog
Marg: Wahoo’s Fish Taco

16th and Stout (D, F, H)

Wine or Beer: The Broker
Shot: Diego’s Mexican Food and Tequila Bar
Wine: Panzano

18th and Stout (D, F, H)

Cocktail: Elway’s