Do you want to visit the best sports bars in Denver? Sports fans in Colorado are spoiled for choice when they look for somewhere to watch some games in the Mile High City and the best ten we think you’ll love are all listed here.
Take a look and work out which sports bars you want to watch the next big Nuggets or Broncos game in. If it’s big screen TVs and great food you’re after, these places have got all that and a lot more for you to enjoy.
Comprehensive Guide to the Top 10 Sports Bars in Denver (2023)
10. RiNo Beer Garden, 3800 Walnut Street Denver
Game day is here!
Come on by and grab a spot before we kickoff this evening! https://t.co/4hdtO093F4
— Rino Beer Garden (@rinobeergarden) February 3, 2019
RiNo Beer Garden offers a massive outdoor courtyard patio where sports fanatics can settle down to watch virtually any sport on their big selection of screens. The food is great, with a hearty weekend brunch possibly the highlight for anyone who plans to start watching the games with a full stomach and a happy smile.
The 4,000-square-foot patio and the extensive range of beers and ales make this a sporting paradise for fans looking to enjoy the action in style. It’s a good sports bar for food too, as you’ll surely find something you like on their menu. While you are there you can place a bet on your phone on the Broncos or Nuggets. Check out how to bet in Denver, Colorado.
9. Tom’s Watch Bar, 19th Street, Denver
Doors open at 10am Thursday, June 15th for the Nuggets Parade! Join us for $5 beers from 10am – 5pm. Go Nuggets!! pic.twitter.com/8hatZcuMgp
— Tom's Watch Bar (@WatchAtToms) June 14, 2023
You don’t need to be a Colorado Rockies fan to watch them play here, but Tom’s Watch bar has the perfect location for local basketball fans, as it’s almost within throwing distance of Coors Field. They also screen all the NFL games and have a host of promotions on the go. The 150 big screen TVs and the classic sports bar snacks like chicken wings, burgers, and tacos make it a feast for fans.
If the Rockies are your favorite team, this is a game day option you’ll probably be interested in trying. The food and drink specials are going to make fans of any team enjoy their games that little more, though.
8. Highland Tavern, 3400 Navajo Street, Denver
Shout out to my friend @GuyFieri for recommending this spot. Bombshell Pastrami Sandwich, handmade Tots, fresh fried Pork Rinds
📍Highland Tavern. Denver, CO pic.twitter.com/9EaxD2c010
— Chuck de Guzman (@chuckpreme) February 4, 2022
One of the best sports bars for fans in Denver, the Highland Tavern has been around since 2006 and much of its long-running success is due to the excellent food they serve. Together with the great drinks including local brews, you’re going to get everything you need to enjoy watching your favorite teams on the many TVs.
The food is the best thing about this classy sports bar. Fans can make the most of game days by tucking into burgers, chicken wings, chilli, and a lot more, all washed down by a cold one from the extensive drinks menu. No wonder Guy Fieri recommended this place in one of episode of his show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
7. STiX Crafthouse, 5777 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada
St Patrick’s Day and March Madness continue tomorrow at 10 am at Stix Crafthouse. Come through and let’s watch some hoops! 🍀🍀🍀🏀🏀🏀
— STiX Crafthouse (@stixcrafthouse) March 17, 2023
Located in Arvada, this is one of the best sports bars for watching hockey but it also provides a great spot for anyone who enjoys other sports and wants to watch some action in a friendly, welcoming spot. This is a great sports bar for food, with their snacks ranging from comforting mac and cheese to poutine and a lot more.
When it comes to the sporting events you want to see, there are about 20 TVs to choose from and you can watch soccer, football, basketball and other major sports. However, if you’re looking for somewhere to watch the big Colorado Avalanche game or to catch the Stanley Cup’s most dramatic moments, that’s when STiX really comes into its own.
6. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, 2907 Huron Street, Denver
Love the tuna sandwich! 💛 #whiskey #whiskeytfdenver (@ Whiskey Tango Foxtrot in Denver, CO) https://t.co/I9RfS9RR1q pic.twitter.com/IIqN7J4H5l
— amy cesario (@amycesario) January 28, 2015
Another of the sports bars conveniently located near Coors Field, the friendly staff and big whiskey selection are among the standout reasons for trying this bar. If you’re looking for a way to watch a big game in the Denver area, you’ll find everything you need here to settle back and enjoy the action.
With craft cocktails like Tropic Thunder and Sour Solstice and a happy hour special every Monday, this is somewhere you’re not going to go thirsty as you watch sports. Live acoustic music on Sundays during the summer adds to the relaxed atmosphere. Of course, Broncos fans and other Denver sports followers who love whiskey will enjoy the fact they’ve got more than 90 whiskeys on the menu,
5. The British Bulldog, 2052 Stout Street, Denver
@picturesofdives The British Bulldog, Denver. Not sure about the rules on whether British pubs can be dive bars. pic.twitter.com/QMUoxsOPH0
— Jeremy Anderson (@JeremyAnder199) June 19, 2021
This is regarded as mainly a soccer bar, so if you want to find somewhere to watch the Premier League or UEFA Champions League, it fits the bill perfectly. Well-known among early risers for its generous opening times, which is possibly the best place to catch the EURO 2024 games next Summer or the FIFA World Cup (although next edition is in 2026).
They’ve gone for the feel of a traditional British pub, with plenty of imported beer options to keep the thirst bay as you cheer on Liverpool. Arsenal, or whoever your favorite EPL team is. The food listing sees the trans-Atlantic feel continue as they’ve gone for English favorites like chips and curry and fish & chips, as well as American staples including chicken wings and loaded tots. For soccer fans wanting the complete experience, it’s hard to beat.
4. Sports Column, 1930 Blake Street, Denver
Great watching the Hawks roll over the Cats at the Sports Column in Denver with a bar full of Hawkeye fans!! pic.twitter.com/4dDkXNkLrd
— Barron Sexson (@BarronSexson) October 17, 2015
A trip to the Sports column takes you to a bar that’s been going strong since 1995 and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon. With over 20 TVs and projectors featuring the action, you‘ll be able to take your pick from the day’s biggest games in a comfortable setting. ESPN considered it one of the top 10 best baseball bars in the US.
This is a long-established Iowa Hawkeyes bar, so if you’re looking to catch them it’s one of your best choices in Denver. What about the food? There’s a fun menu to choose from in this great sports bar, with daily specials including $2 Tuesdays and Win Wednesdays to keep you coming back for more any day of the week.
Check out also the best Iowa sports bars here.
3. Candlelight Tavern, 383 S. Pearl Street, Denver
Wahoo, we’ll take it!! Come for the shuffleboard and stay for the cheap beer and delicious burgers 😉 https://t.co/ASn8Dm30TA
— Candlelight Tavern (@CandlelightTav) March 28, 2019
This bar is a solid choice if you want to find plenty of the best bar games but what do they offer in terms of sports on the TV? All the big leagues like the NFL, the NFL and the Big Ten are included.
Happy Hour specials are available from Monday to Friday, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Apart from that, you can choose from a menu that runs from tasty hamburgers and wings to chilli, so it’s classic bar food that can brighten up any game. They mention the bar is aimed at Detroit Lions fans, but supporters of all teams are welcome.
2. College Inn, 4400 E 8TH AVE, Denver
📍College Inn, Denver https://t.co/yZRD2c5bEP pic.twitter.com/T5tP8W9sWZ
— Nacho Scout (@nacho_scout) October 18, 2017
Called the friendliest place in Denver, the College Inn has been around since the 1950s and looks as inviting as ever. A central location and a big selection of screens means that it’s hugely convenient for those moments when you’re looking to catch some action without any fuss.
If you want to find something tasty to eat, have a look at their brunch menu that covers the likes of crispy cauliflower wings, Reuben rolls, and chicken quesadilla An abundance of cold drinks and long opening hours add up to make this an excellent choice if you’re keen to go out and watch some sports in good company.
1. Society Sports and Spirits, 1434 Blake Street, Denver
https://twitter.com/CarpeWhiskey/status/1114935938365501440
Known as the best Arkansas Razorbacks bar in Denver, this place is packed to the rafters with TVs and projectors showing every sport you can imagine and a few that you possibly can’t. Up to 16 different events can be shown at any time, so you’re going to have a great time looking at all the screens and deciding what to watch.
They welcome support for any team, but you’ll notice a strong following for the Arkansas Razorbacks, the UH Cougars, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and all the big local teams too. Check in advance if you’re looking for an official alumni as they list quite a few others too. Green chile nachos, burgers, and hummus all light up the menu.
There are far from being the only bars to watch sports in and around Denver. You’ll find other terrific options like the Sportsbook Bar & Grill in Greenwood Village, the Milwaukee Street Tavern in Cherry Creek, and Wyman’s No. 5 on 13 Avenue.
This city is famous for its love of sports, so it’s no surprise to find such a big range of places that cater to sports fans.
What Sets Denver’s Sports Bars Apart?
You don’t need to be a huge sports fan to enjoy these bars, as they offer so much more than the on-screen action. Of course, the chance to watch the Super Bowl or the World Cup and cheer on your team is great, but there’s far more for you to get from this experience.
The great food is a plus, with everything from fried chicken and fried pickles to healthy salads and gluten free options. A huge and varied menu is an essential part of the best sports bars here in Denver,
You can also enjoy other activities in many cases, like arcade games including skee ball, pool tables, and live music. So there’s no reason to rush away once the game ends.
With cheap drinks and daily drink specials like happy hour specials and adult slushies often on the menu, you can quench your thirst too.
Different alumni are warmly welcomed across Denver. Whether you want to watch the Avalanche take on the Pittsburgh Penguins with a cold beer or watch out-of-state teams like Notre Dame, Michigan State, and the Iowa State Cyclones among others who back them to the hilt, the many TVs in these establishments make it easy to catch all the action.
Expect friendly staff in the bar and knowledgeable sports fans who create a great atmosphere. If you’re going to watch one of the local teams like the Nuggets or the Rockies, there’s sure to be a lot of passionate support for the team and hopefully a few big cheers too.
Local Insights: What Denverites Love About Their Sports Bars
Take a look at the local reviews of sports bars in Colorado and you’ll see a lot of similar comments about the things that most love.
The location is important, and we see that it’s one of the most common pieces of feedback. Places like the RiNo BeerGarden and STiX Crafthouse are ideally located for fans of local teams who want to hang out with others on game days.
Take a look at sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp to find feedback from locals and visitors alike. For example, RiNo has been awarded an excellent ranking by all eight reviewers on TripAdvisor, while STiX has 3.4 stars out of 5 on Yelp, from 36 reviews.
The friendliness of the staff is also important to Denver sports fans and you’ll see this mentioned a lot in their reviews. They want to discover a bar where they feel right at home and can relax as they cheer on their team. A Denver bar without friendly staff isn’t going to go down well,
Take a look at the Yelp reviews of the now-closed Blake Street Tavern which was a haunt for Seahawks fans and followers of Notre Dame too, to get an idea of the importance of good service, The food gets a lot of mentions in reviews but many of the most glowing comments have been made regarding the excellent service they’ve received.
The fact that some sports bars are seen as bases for fans of certain teams from the surrounding area is another important aspect to bear in mind. A lot of people love being surrounded by like-minded fanatics and this makes it a fine way of adding a social element to the times you head out to watch some action.
A look through the bars listed here will let you get a good idea of where to go if you want to watch a game surrounded by fans cheering on the Avalanche, the Broncos, or any other Denver-based sports team.
Sports bars in Denver Colorado
Practical Tips for Enjoying Denver’s Sports Bars
There are a few crucial tips to bear in mind if you’re going to make the most of your visit to a sports bar in Denver.
It’s no secret that parking can be an issue in parts of Denver, and many of the top sports bars are located in busy, central locations where you risk missing the start of the game if you can’t find anywhere to park. You don’t want to be desperately looking for somewhere to leave your car as the minutes tick away before the game starts.
Check in advance if the bar offers private parking and, if not, take a look for advice on where to park. During particularly busy times, you might want to consider other ways of getting there, such as using public transport or making even walking or riding a bike there if you feel like getting some fresh air and exercise on the way..
The next point to consider is what sports and leagues you want to watch. A top sports bar in Denver is likely to show all the games in major leagues like the NFL, the NHL, and the NBA while some specialize in particular sports like soccer or hockey. In some cases, you’ll see a list of the upcoming games they’re showing on their site. If not, you can ask in advance what they’re going to be showing.
If you’re keen to experience a busy Denver sports bar with a lively atmosphere, look for games featuring one of the city’s pro teams. That’s when these places come alive with cheers and lots of encouragement for the players. Check for happy hours with you call its at a special price too, as deals like this bring in a lot of customers looking for a good time and cheap you call its.
Do you need to book in advance to be sure that you’ll get a table at a busy time of day? This question is most likely to be answered with a yes when there’s a huge sporting event like the NBA Finals, or a local team is playing an important game. Checking in advance if you need to reserve is always a good idea, though.
Image by gpointstudio on Freepik
Conclusion: Your Ultimate Sports Bar Experience in Denver
The excellent range of bars showing sporting events means that it’s easy to enjoy some cheap drinks and great food as you watch the action on a big TV screen in Denver. The options listed here are some of the very best for atmosphere and comfort and if you check them out there’s a good chance that you will find something to suit you perfectly.
If you want to find out why Denver is regarded as one of the biggest sports states with the most passionate followers, these bars are the perfect way of doing so. There’s something for everything to enjoy and you won’t regret heading along to watch the big games in the company of this city’s fans.
Why not go to one of them the next you want to watch some sports to see how much they add to the overall experience?
