Located inside Denver’s Downtown Aquarium is something unexpected. Most people think of it as a place to take the kids for an underwater adventure. Others know that it holds Denver’s most unique dining experience. But did you know that behind the gift shop and next to the ballroom is the Aquarium’s cozy dive bar? Welcome to The Dive Lounge.

The Downtown Aquarium began as Ocean Journey back in 1999. However, financial issues in the early Aughts caused the facility to enter bankruptcy in 2003. Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. purchased the facility and repurposed it in 2005 as a restaurant/entertainment center. The showpiece of the Aquarium Restaurant is a 50,000 gallon tank featuring over 100 species of tropical fish from the Caribbean, Hawaii, South Pacific and Indian Ocean. That tank extends over to The Dive Lounge.

The Dive Lounge is designed to be a place to hang out after a day of exploring the Aquarium exhibits or to relax after work or before dinner in the restaurant. Soft chairs and soft lighting compliment the underwater décor and gorgeous watery-themed bar top. Guests feel like their inside a secluded sea cave, far away from the outside world. The bar offers a variety of sea-themed cocktails and small bites to fill you up during happy hour. 

The bar’s signature cocktail is the Navy Grog and bartender Becca likes to describe it this way, “It looks like swamp water, but tastes like heaven.”

She’s not kidding. Made with Midori Melon, DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps, Chambord and pineapple juice, the drink has a strange grey/green color, and the froth on top reminds one of sea foam. Becca puts a cherry in the bottom of the martini glass for more color, which makes things look even stranger. The taste, however, is purely divine. Navy Grog tastes a bit like sweet summer melon with a hint of peach and berry. While the drink is sweet, it is not syrupy, but light and invigorating.

The Pomegranate Kiss is made with Skyy Vodka, Cointreau Orange Liqueur, Finest Call Pomegranate Syrup, Finest Call Grenadine and lemonade. While its delicate pink color belays a sweet treat, the cocktail is not as sweet as you’d think, but instead has a juicier flavor with the orange and pomegranate coming through.

The Blue Marlin is a popular Dive cocktail made with Absolut Citron Vodka, DeKuyper Blue Curacao and a squeeze of fresh lemon with a lemon sugar rim. This dazzling cocktail has a beautiful topaz color and offers a tasty play of sour from the drink and sweet from the sugar rim.

The Aquatini features Malibu Coconut Rum, DeKuypers Blue Curacao and cranberry juice. The color is purple and the texture is soft and buttery with a taste reminiscent of coconut macaroons. It pairs wells with the Shrimp Kisses, large pieces of bacon-wrapped shrimp fried with coconut to crispy perfection. The shrimp also have a small slice of jalapeno with melted cheese in the center for just a touch of spice to go with the coconut.

If all this tropical exoticness is a bit much for you, try the tamer Strawberry Margarita. This invigorating drink will chill you down after towing the kids around the aquarium all afternoon. Made with strawberry puree and rimmed with lemon sugar, this margarita is served blended, with a full-bodied sweet strawberry taste. If you happen to be interested in a traditional margarita, Becca can make it either on the rocks or blended. Pair this drink with the Homemade Fried Cheese sticks. These hand-rolled sticks of crunchy, cheesy goodness are best dipped in the tangy marinara sauce to balance the strawberry.

Also on the happy hour menu are the Ahi Tuna Tacos, a perfect snack for two in the afternoon. You can order them fried or grilled, and they come in wonton taco shells. Drizzle some spicy soy sauce on them for a little kick, which will pair well with any cocktail. The bar also has four taps of craft beer. The current seasonal is Cold Snap by Sam Adams. Laughing Lab Ale from Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs is also on tap at this time. Seasonals do change so ask your server.

Happy hour at the Dive Lounge is Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 PM, which is a mighty long happy hour if you ask us. Munchies are $3, $5 and $7 per plate, signature martinis and margaritas are $4 while premium cocktails are $5. Domestic drafts are $3, specialty drafts and glasses of house wines are $4. We recommend getting there early to get the table next to the aquarium tank to watch the fish swim by. Guaranteed relaxation. 

The Dive Lounge; 700 Water St.; 303-561-4450

Photos by Carrie Dow