Happy hour is a beloved tradition in Denver, especially during those warm late summer days when the sun is shining, and the city is buzzing with energy. With an abundance of bars and restaurants offering great deals on drinks and bites, it’s easy to find a spot to unwind after a long day at work. Here are 18 of the best places in Denver to enjoy a budget-friendly happy hour.
Tap & Burger is a popular choice for happy hour with four locations across the Front Range. Chef Carrie Baird’s creations are a highlight on the menu, with options like classic smashburgers, jumbo wings, and shareable salads. The Dog Days of Summer happy hour menu offers a variety of cocktails, beers, and shot-and-beer combos at discounted prices. With happy hour running Monday to Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Sunday from 5-9 p.m., Tap & Burger is a great choice for an early evening hangout.
Leven Deli in the Golden Triangle neighborhood offers a new happy hour program on weekdays from 4 p.m. until close. The menu features buy-two-save-$2 toasts, house-made spreads, and shareable boards like the trendy tinned fish board. Enjoy draft beer, wine, or happy hour cocktails like the Cucumber Press or Greek Spritz at discounted prices. With happy hour from 4-7 p.m. Monday to Friday, Leven Deli is a perfect spot for post-work drinks and snacks.
Pancho Poncho in the Speer neighborhood is a Mexican restaurant with a unique happy hour menu that includes $6 house margaritas, $8 espresso martinis, and $10 shot-and-beer combos. Don’t miss the carne asada fries, a filling option for just $6. With happy hour running from 3-6 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. daily, Pancho Poncho is a great choice for a late afternoon or evening gathering.
STK in LoDo may be an upscale steakhouse, but it offers stellar happy hour deals. With $9 specialty cocktails and a variety of $3, $6, and $9 bites, STK is a great choice for a classy yet affordable happy hour experience. The $19 surf and turf option is a must-try, featuring a three-ounce filet and a jumbo prawn. Happy hour runs Monday to Friday from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and on weekends as well.
Hampton Social in LoHi is a coastal-inspired restaurant with a happy hour menu that includes $12 specialty cocktails like the I Glitterally Can’t and the Hampton Frosé. Pair your drinks with shareable dishes like artisan pizza, tuna tartar, or roasted Brussel sprouts. With happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday to Friday, Hampton Social is a great spot to unwind after work.
Fellow Traveler in Englewood offers a fully vegan menu with global classics like tofu bahn mi sandwiches and cauliflower wings. During happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday to Friday, enjoy discounted cocktails like the Dream Lover and lavender gin lemonade. Pair your drinks with vegan sliders, cauliflower wings, or Colorado poutine for a satisfying and plant-based happy hour experience.
Wolf & Wildflower in Wheat Ridge offers a unique „reverse happy hour“ with special deals for an hour after kiddo bedtime Monday to Saturday. Enjoy discounted beers, select glasses of wine, and $5 off flights during happy hour. Pair your drinks with shareable eats like the Howling Wolf charcuterie board or hot honey pear flatbread. With happy hour specials throughout the week, Wolf & Wildflower is a great choice for a relaxed evening out.
Redeemer Pizza in RiNo is known for its sourdough pies and late-night slices, but its afternoon happy hour is a hidden gem. With discounted garlic knots, rotating cocktails, and the best meal deal in Denver—a slice and a beer or wine for $6 or $9—Redeemer Pizza is a must-visit for pizza lovers. Happy hour runs from 4-6 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Local Jones in Cherry Creek is a bistro inside the Halcyon Hotel offering a happy hour menu with discounted cocktails, sangria, draft beers, and house wines. Pair your drinks with fresh oysters, fried artichokes, or crab and artichoke beignets for a delightful happy hour experience. With happy hour from 2-5 p.m. Monday to Friday, Local Jones is a great choice for an early evening drink and snack.
ChoLon in LoDo and Sloan’s Lake is a long-standing favorite for upscale Asian fusion eats like Thai Brussels sprouts and French onion soup dumplings. With happy hour from 2-5:30 p.m. daily, ChoLon offers discounted glasses of wine, sparkling brut rosé, and signature cocktails. Pair your drinks with pork belly bao buns, soup dumplings, or coconut-jam-slathered kaya toast for a delicious happy hour experience.
Vesper Lounge in Capitol Hill is a neighborhood drink den with a diverse happy hour menu featuring six dips, sliders, and spirit-forward cocktails. With happy hour specials all day Monday and from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, Vesper Lounge is a great spot for affordable drinks and snacks. Don’t miss the Vesper cocktail or the two-for-one dirty martinis during happy hour.
Jax in LoDo is a popular spot for happy hour oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, and mussels. With select oysters for $2 each and a pan-ocean sampler for $55, Jax is a great choice for seafood lovers. Pair your seafood with $6 to $8 cocktails, wine, and bubbles for a delightful happy hour experience. Happy hour runs from 3:30-5 p.m. daily.
Dew Drop Inn in Uptown is a cozy neighborhood watering hole offering a happy hour with nearly all house cocktails for $9 and call drinks for $7 each. With shareable bites like the Big Bowl of Mussels for $22, Dew Drop Inn is a great choice for a relaxed evening out. Happy hour runs from 3-6 p.m. Monday to Thursday.
Toro in Cherry Creek is a Latin-inspired restaurant with a happy hour menu available every day from 3 to 6 p.m. at the bar. Enjoy $8 margaritas, mini queso with chorizo for $6, and the Gordo Crunch for just $5. With happy hour specials running daily, Toro is a great choice for a mid-afternoon drink and snack.
In conclusion, Denver offers a wide range of options for happy hour, from upscale steakhouse deals to cozy neighborhood watering holes. Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, vegan bites, or classic cocktails, there’s a happy hour spot in Denver to suit your taste and budget. So gather your friends, head out after work, and enjoy the vibrant happy hour scene in the Mile High City.