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Cheap Bars in Denver to Save Money

Denver, the Mile-High City, is known for its vibrant nightlife, and you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy it.

friends celebrating at cheap bars in Denver

Whether you’re a local looking for your new favorite hangout or a visitor seeking an authentic Denver experience, we’ve scoured the city to bring you a curated list of the best cheap bars in Denver.

From cozy dives to trendy spots, these budget-friendly gems offer fantastic drinks, welcoming atmospheres, and unforgettable memories.



Dive Inn

1380 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210
Phone: (720) 242-6157
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Dive Inn is one of the best cheap bars in Denver and has been a local favorite for over ten years.

Located on South Broadway Street, close to the Denver Art Museum,  the bar is known for hosting local events, sports, and games, including the QB Challenge on Denver Football game days.

On the menu, grab a plate of Taki sliders, quesadillas, Taki tacos, or a salad.

You can’t beat the carnitas takos with tomatillo salsa washed down with an ice-cold draft beer.

Not a beer aficionado? They offer wine and mixed drinks as well.


R & R Denver

4958 E Colfax Ave #1208, Denver, CO 80220
Phone: (303) 320-9337
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The iconic R&R Lounge in Denver on Colfax Avenue is just where to get a drink with its laid-back, LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable bartenders.

Ask for any mixed drink or cocktail, and you’ll be impressed.

The drinks are inexpensive, especially on specialty nights such as Tequila Tuesdays and Wino Wednesdays. An assortment of beer is available as well.

Add the R&R to your list of fun places to get drinks.

If you want libations while avoiding Denver’s heaviest crowds, it’s a great place to go.


Candlelight Tavern

383 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80209
Phone: (303) 778-9530
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The Candlelight Tavern, regarded as one of the best dive bars in Denver, is an excellent location to spend the evening.

With plenty of bar games, a friendly atmosphere, and daily happy hour specials, this is one establishment where you won’t go broke having a night of drinks with friends.

The menu includes various burgers, wings, fries, rings, and chili.

Try the jalapeno cream cheese burger and wash it down with an ice-cold beer.


The Horseshoe Lounge

414 E 20th Ave, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (303) 832-1180
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Affectionately known by the locals as “The Shoe”, The Horseshoe Lounge on 20th Avenue is a highly popular neighborhood bar.

The bar features a 30’ shotgun bar with a surface made from over 20,000 dice.

You’ll get a special prize if you can guess the correct number of dice sealed in resin. Many have tried, but few have succeeded!

The lounge is always hopping, serving drinks around the completely stocked bar.

The food menu offers appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and pizza.


The Bar Car

819 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (720) 524-8099
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The Bar Car, a locally owned bar on Colorado Boulevard near the Denver Botanical Gardens, serves up heavy pours and great food at terrific prices.

The friendly, neighborhood atmosphere ups the appeal. 

Try any of the fries – plenty of options – for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

The Mexalent burger is one of the best burgers I’ve ever tried.

Along the bar, there are brews on tap, plus an assortment of canned and bottled beers, a few wine options, and a whole selection of boiler makers, mules, and cocktails.

Check out their daily happy hour for even more deals.


Nob Hill Inn

420 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 860-7557
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The second oldest bar in Denver, Nob Hill Inn on East Colfax Avenue, offers a dark, vintage-style interior and welcoming regulars.

Don’t expect a hipster vibe or fancy food, but you won’t leave with empty pockets, either.

Snack on pizza or typical bar food as you unwind.

The bar is amply stocked with liquors for every taste, and the bartenders know how to make a drink.

If you’re after beer, there is a selection to choose from, either on tap or by the bottle or can.


Embassy Tavern

3463 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (720) 324-8477
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The Embassy Tavern in the RiNo district on Larimer Street offers a vintage vibe, a moose head keeping watch, a spacious patio with plenty of seating, and incredible drink pricing,

Got a furry best friend? Bring your 4-legged pal and grab a table on the patio – dogs are welcome.

This bar is regarded as one of the city’s best places for inexpensive drinks and a relaxing night just hanging out with friends.

Oh, one thing to try? Pickle. Vodka. Shot.


The 1UP Arcade Bar – LoDo

1925 Blake St, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: (303) 736-2230
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Nothing screams the 80s like the 1UP Arcade Bar.

Filled with arcade games like Frogger and enough pinball machines to become a wizard, this spot is tops for a good time and cheap drinks.

Where else can you order a 40-ounce can of Mickeys?

The drink menu offers beer on tap, in bottles and cans, plus specialty cocktails.

The Say Hennything goes down like a melted popsicle. The daily happy hour is Monday through Friday and all day Sunday.

No food is prepared at the 1UP, but feel free to order a slice of pizza from Sliceworks next door or have food delivered.


Don’s Club Tavern

723 E 6th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 831-0218
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Don’s Club Tavern is where locals go for cheap beer and friendly company.

During football season, Don’s is the place for Chiefs fans, with early opening hours and a great time.

Food is potluck, and the gameday drink specials keep the party going all day.

Don’s runs daily specials with libations, including pickle shots, Estrella Jalisco, and Camarena.

Bringing friends? The bar offers bucket and pitcher specials every day that you won’t want to pass up.


Pub on Pearl

1101 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
Phone: (303) 777-6768
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Pub on Pearl is another great option for great deals on drinks.

Located on South Pearl Street, this bar feels like home with the welcoming neighborhood atmosphere and bartenders that won’t let you leave thirsty.

On Thursday nights, plan to enjoy endless wings while sipping ice-cold beer or rum and cokes.

They also serve a killer New Mexico grilled cheese that goes well with a Vodka lemonade.

If you’re a football fan, Pub on Pearl gets in on the action with drink specials served all day on game days.


P S Lounge

3416 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: (303) 320-1200
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The PS Lounge on East Colfax is great for hanging out with friends.

The lounge is a low-key place to visit that feels like it came out of the 80s.

They don’t serve food, but you can order pizza from Enzo’a next door.

Ladies enjoy a free rose and a shot with the first drink, and everyone gets a free Alabama Slammer.

It’s the pre-game destination of choice for locals.

This is a cash-only bar open until 2 a.m. daily, but since it’s cheap, you won’t need a lot of pocket change.


Satellite Bar

308 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 832-3488
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Pool tables, pinball machines, and shuffleboard.

Mix those with cheap drinks and heavy-handed bartenders, shake well, and there you have the Satellite Bar on East Colfax.

With amazing drink prices, let me first say – ask them about their haunted bathrooms before you start drinking.

Plenty of beer on tap, bottled or canned beers, and an extensive cocktail list with daily specials can be had to wet your whistle.

The food includes pickled eggs and fare, which the locals rave about.

While you won’t likely consider this place a first-date location, it’s tops for a fun, cheap place to get drinks.


Matchbox

2625 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: (720) 437-9100
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Matchbox on Larimer Street is part of the River North Art District in the city and is open seven days a week, closing at 2:00 AM every day.

One of the best-known bars in the area, it’s particularly popular with the younger crowd. 

There is no food served, but feel free to have it delivered.

Top-shelf drinks, beer on tap, handcrafted cocktails combined with live music, and great patrons make this a go-to for cheap drinks and priceless good times.


Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.

Written by Rocco

Rocco is a Florida State University alumnus with years of bartending and hospitality experience. From slinging hundreds of vodka sodas a night in jam-packed college bars to serving carefully crafted cocktails in upscale restaurants, there’s not much he hasn’t done behind a bar. Now, Rocco shares his knowledge and passion for all things alcohol-related here on My Bartender for bibulous readers everywhere to enjoy.

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