10 Great Happy Hours in Denver (from a Local!) 2025

Amber Everywhere contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Read my privacy policy for more information.

Looking for great happy hours in Denver? Here’s your guide to some of the best spots in the Mile High City!

There’s nothing quite like sitting down with a friend over some happy hour drinks and snacks to unwind after a long day. Having lived in Boulder and grown up just outside of Denver, I wanted to share a list of some of my favorite spots. These are the places I go back to time and time again – they’ve stood the test of time.

So, what makes a great happy hour? For me, it’s about having a great food menu of small bites and a few good cocktails, beers, or wines to choose from. It should be a place where you can hear the people you’re with, not break the bank, and have enough options to keep a small group happy.

Extra points if there’s a sunny patio – one of the best parts of living in Colorado, if you ask me!

The places on this list offer food-centric happy hours, or small bites, around Denver. They also all have plenty of vegetarian options or at least a few all star veggie dishes. 

10 Great Happy Hours in Denver

I love a great happy hour, and, luckily, Denver has some great spots to choose from. This is my list of the best happy hour spots across the city – consider is my “little black book” of Denver’s best after work spots.

1. City O’ City for Hip Vegetarian Eats

City O’ City is a vegetarian restaurant in Capitol Hill that’s famous for being a little edgy and quite early on the scene as far as vegetarian eateries go. Like its sister restaurant, Watercourse Foods, City O’ City has been serving great vegetarian eats in Denver since 1998.

The chicken and waffles is legendary, with crispy bacon made from carrots and a lightly herby waffle. It is tied with The Café HOT. in Burlington, VT, for the best vegan fried chicken I’ve ever had.

Another standout is the vegetarian poutine (a vegan option is also available). I’m not a poutine enthusiast, but I can say that it’s a fabulous late night snack – especially after a concert at Red Rocks. The veggie version from City O’ City is better than the veggie poutines I’ve had in Canada. 🇨🇦

📍 You can find City O’ City at 206 E 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80203. They have a daily happy hour from 3pm to 6pm, and again from 9pm to close.

Fun fact: I did one of my college interviews at City O’ City back when I was applying for undergrad!

2. Linger for International Street Food

This unique restaurant and bar is set in an old mortuary (they call themselves an “eaturary”). The menu features elevated takes on international street food, with bao buns, Impossible burger sliders, and sweet potato fries. 

My favorite cocktail here is the New Saigon, a gin-based cocktail with a big hunk of cucumber and a black pepper rim. Stunning. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I ordered anything else.

Happy hour is only available on the upstairs patio. The view is great–it would be a fabulous place to watch fireworks on the 4th of July, if you can score a reservation.

Linger is definitely on the pricey side – in my book, anyway. I love that they have some food and drinks on happy hour so that I can enjoy it from time to time. 

📍 Linger is located at 2030 W 30th Ave, Denver, CO 80211. Their happy hour is Monday-Friday 4pm to 6pm.

3. Hops and Pie for Dazzling Detroit-Style Pizzas

Hops and Pie serves up some of the best Detroit-style pizza I’ve ever had in my life. The crust is made with a sourdough that was started in 2011, and the small, square pizza comes out of the oven with four edge pieces.

On the advice of a friend, I ordered a Detroit sourdough pizza with vegan Italian crumbles, peppers, and onions. It was AMAZING. They also have my favorite brand of chili flakes from Flatiron Pepper Co, which add even more flavor.

As the name suggests, you’ll find mostly beers at Hops and Pie. They have a large selection of draft beers, including carefully selected brews from across the country. Of course, you’ll find a few local breweries in the mix, too!

📍 Hops and Pie is located at 3920 Tennyson St. Denver, CO 80212. Happy hour runs from 3pm to 6:30pm, Tuesday through Friday.

Local Tip: for mind-blowing cocktails before or after you sit down for dinner at Hops and Pie, visit The Tartarian. This little cocktail bar is only a few doors down and it has some of the most memorable drinks I’ve had in Denver.

4. Wild Taco for Classic Happy Hour Bites

Wild Taco has everything that I picture when I think of a happy hour: chips, interesting salsas, great (and affordable) $6 margaritas, and a sun-soaked patio. It might be a bit on the basic side, but sometimes that’s all you really want or need.

The Berkeley location is on the side of a busy street so it’s a little noisy, but they have nice patio furniture and are dog friendly.

The queso and salsas both stand out when I think about the happy hour menu at Wild Taco. There are also plenty of choices of tacos, lots of vegetarian options, and some Korean infusions. I particularly enjoyed the Korean Fried Tofu taco when I visited.

📍 Wild Taco is located at 4499 W 38th Ave, Denver, CO 80212. Happy hour is available all day on Monday, as well as 3pm to 6pm from Tuesday to Friday.

5. Jax Fish House for Seafood Fanatics

Like bartaco, I first tried Jax Fish House while I was living in Boulder and it was part of my regular rotation. Given that they also have a location in LoDo in Denver, I figured they deserve a spot on this list.

Admittedly, Jax caters to a seafood-loving crowd and might not be the best for vegetarians or vegans – it is a fish house, after all. Still, I always find something to eat and it’s such a crowd pleaser that I never mind. There are a couple of vegetarian nibbles like hush puppies and a burrata starter.

This is the spot for oyster fans in Denver. Jax serves up $2 and $3 oysters during happy hour. There are also fan favorites like PEI mussels, calamari, fish sandwiches, and shrimp on the happy hour menu.

Jax has great happy hour cocktails, with several creative options like a cucumber lemon press or a whiskey tea with earl grey-infused whiskey. Beer and wine are also available.

📍 You can find Jax Fish House at 1539 17th St, Denver, CO 80202. Happy hour runs from 3:30pm to 5pm daily, and on Mondays from 3:30pm to close.

Travel Tip: Given the urban location, I would not try to drive to Jax. You’re better off taking public transport or an Uber.

6. Watercourse Foods for Bohemian Vegan Noms

Watercourse Foods is a Denver institution, offering a fully plant-based menu that focuses on comfort food. Trust me, you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy Watercourse Foods!

As far as the happy hour menu goes, the standouts, in my opinion, are the buffalo cauliflower wings. They’re so craveable – packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and served with a ranch sauce you’ll be stunned is vegan. The nachos and the margaritas are also great ways to round out your order. 

As I mentioned previously, Watercourse first opened in 1998 and is part of the same restaurant group as City O’ City, Denver’s other vegetarian staple. If you only have time to go to one when you’re in Denver, I’d send you to City O’ City – but Watercourse is still fabulous.

📍 Watercourse Foods is located at 837 E 17th Ave, Denver, CO 80218. They a daily happy hour from 3pm to 6pm.

7. Los Chingones for Laid Back Vibes and Cheap Eats

Of all the places on this list, Los Chingones in Denver’s River North district is certainly the place I’ve frequented the most. It’s not even a contest, really.

The enduring appeal of Los Chingones is that it’s easy to get a table, the food is solid with lots of vegetarian options, and the drinks are decent. This restaurant/bar offers a solid $5 happy hour menu. When it’s warm out, they’ll open their garage doors and turn most of the restaurant into a patio. If it’s a slow afternoon, you can even get a little work done while you enjoy your happy hour drinks and snacks.

My go to order is chips and guacamole, the daily quesadilla (vegetarian edition), and a coin margarita. If you’re really hungry and want to eat off the regular menu, the prices are reasonable – I’d go for the cheese enchiladas ($11).

As a bonus after your visit to Los Chingones, you’ll already be in RiNo. You can wander over to Bierstadt Lagerhaus, a German-themed beer hall, or the Larimer Lounge for live music!

📍 Los Chingones is located at 2463 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205. Happy hour is Monday-Friday 3pm to 5:30pm.

8. bartaco for Mexican Classics with Something for Everyone

Like Jax, I first tried bartaco while I was living in Boulder, but have since been back to try their new(ish) location in the Highlands in Denver. 

The great thing about bartaco’s menu is that it is full of staple small plates, with great guacamole, salsas, vegetarian options, and even street corn. Even picky eaters (like me) are sure to find things they love. 

If you don’t drink alcohol, one of my favorite drinks at bartaco is the “nojito” which is a mojito made without the rum. They also make a mean margarita, mojito, or paloma, perfect for my fellow citrus enthusiasts. 

📍 bartaco is located at 2001 W 32nd Ave, Denver, CO 80211. Their “High Tide Hour” (happy hour) is from 3pm to 6pm on weekdays and 9:30pm to close from Monday to Thursday.

9. Barcelona for Chic European-Style Tapas

Barcelona is a national chain with a location in Denver, but it’s undeniably a great place to go for happy hour.

My favorite thing about this restaurant is absent-mindedly telling people about your plans to go to Barcelona… and then having to tamp down their enthusiasm significantly when you explain that you are, in fact, only going to visit a restaurant in Denver. My other favorite thing about Barcelona is that they have great olive oil and they’ll give you as much of it as you want and fresh bread to dip in it. 

Aside from those things, this is a solid tapas spot that offers enough options to keep everyone in a group happy, though the happy hour snacks are limited. I included them anyway because they have relatively cheap wine–as little as $4.50 for a 3 oz pour–and tapas (which are already happy hour sized).

Be forewarned that it’s pretty easy to run up a large bill at Barcelona – it is, after all, tapas!

📍 You can find Barcelona at 2900 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205. Their happy hour runs 4pm to 6pm from Monday to Wednesday, and 2pm to 5pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

10. Kaos Pizzeria for Tasty Pies on a Vine-Laced Patio

If it’s a remotely nice day outside, and it typically is in Denver, make your way to Kaos and ask to sit outside. Kaos offers the best outdoor seating of any restaurant I’ve been to in Denver, think “curated garden outside a charming cottage.” The eclectic, rod iron tables and chairs, vine-covered walls and archways, and potted plants make for an idyllic outdoor patio experience–and they have pizza!

Honestly, it’s the perfect mix of things in my book. If you happen to visit in the wintertime, the indoor seating is set in a Victorian style house, which is memorable in its own right. There’s also a covered outdoor patio.

As for the food, the Neapolitan pizzas are solid. The menu has options for everyone (and the choice to build your own if nothing is striking your fancy). I typically opt for the Jalapeno Business or the margherita pizza – both are fabulous. Gluten-free crust is available for an upcharge. 

Unfortunately, I’m breaking my own rules slightly here because Kaos does not, in fact, have a small bites food menu for happy hour. I included them anyway because the drinks are quite cheap on happy hour and they have a great selection–you can find $4-6 draught beers here from local breweries.

📍 Kaos Pizzeria is located at 1439 S Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80210. They have a daily happy hour from 2pm to 6pm.

FAQs: Great Happy Hours in Denver

Looking for a great happy hour spot in Denver and still need more information? Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions by other travelers. 

What time are most happy hours?

Typically, happy hours can run from as early as 3pm to as late as 8pm. Often, bars will shorten their happy hours to about 4pm to 6pm. Although there’s no single industry standard for happy hour, most will include the hour from 5pm to 6pm. 

How much is the average cocktail drink in Denver?

Expect to pay about $10 to $16 for a cocktail in Denver, with higher prices for more artisan drinks. The average cocktail at The Tartarian, a speakeasy-style bar in Berkeley, CO, is about $14. At Root Down, a Denver staple, most cocktails cost about $15 each.

Where should I go out in Denver?

LoDo is the neighborhood in Denver with the most bars, breweries, and restaurants to choose from if you’re looking for a night out. You’ll be only a short walk from other concert venues and clubs, as well. For a happy hour with a neighborhood vibe, the Highlands or Berkeley are both good choices.

What is the hippest part of Denver?

The hippest part of Denver is the River North Arts District just north of LoDo. This art-filled neighborhood is full of interesting graffiti, coffee shops, and restaurants that cater to trendy locals. The Highlands are another hip part of Denver, set just across I-25 from RiNo.

Conclusion: Great Happy Hours in Denver

Happy hours are definitely one of the things I’ve missed since moving abroad – they’re just not as popular in Europe. Denver has a host of great happy hours to choose from, with something for everyone across the city.

Of all the happy hours on this list, I tend to keep Linger in my back pocket for visiting when friends are in town. It’s a bit pricey for everyday and it can be tricky to get a table, but it has never let me down! Plus you can always walk next door for an ice cream from Little Man for dessert – the perfect nightcap. 

*A Note on Chains/Restaurant Groups

You might have noticed that all of these restaurants are part of restaurant groups, and Barcelona is part of a small restaurant chain. As someone who believes in independent restaurants and tries to support them, I want to explain myself here. 

When I made this list, I thought about every happy hour I’ve been to in Denver and tried to pare it down to the true highlights. This is the list I came up with.

My takeaway? It’s really hard to operate a restaurant in Denver–the cost of living, inventory, and rents are high!

Even our most independent-feeling restaurants in Denver, like Vine Street Pub & Brewery, Watercourse, and City O’ City are part of restaurant groups. If this is a topic you’re interested in, you might enjoy this article by Christopher Muller about a similar phenomenon in Boston.

Further, if you’d like to read about a bar that is definitely independent and has no other locations, I wrote about visiting the Grizzly Rose – another Denver institution, in my opinion.

Have you tried any of these restaurants in Denver? Do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments!