Denver's Best Hotel Bars

The hotel bar. It used to be seen one, seen 'em all. Now a number of Denver’s hotel bars are the choice of locals looking for a cool place to hang out. Denver’s hotel bars even provide a sense of place and more importantly each bar has its own personality turning them into true neighborhood haunts. Here's what we think are some of Denver’s best hotel bars.

The Barrel Bar at The Nickel at Hotel Teatro: With its prime location across the street from The Denver Center of the Performing Arts, The Barrel Bar at The Nickel is perfect for those spending an evening at the opera, the ballet or seeing the latest Broadway musical. You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to have a classic Manhattan or Negroni before and after each performance (but you do have to be a guest to rent the cool blue bikes to ride around town). (1100 14th St.; 720-889-2128)

The Cruise Room at Oxford Hotel: The Cruise Room is special because the bar has been around quite a while and sports a tremendous history-it's been around since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. The bar's 1930’s remodel was based on the lounge of the Queen Mary (which is how it got its name) and still has the Art Deco chrome and marble décor today. It also has some strong classic cocktails ala’ Mad Men. This place is so cool, Jack White filmed his latest music video here. (1600 17th St.; 303-825-1107)

Peaks Lounge at the Hyatt Regency: What makes this place special? While the craft cocktails are fabulous and the variety of small plates are tasty, what really sets the Peaks Lounge apart are the views from its spectacular 27th Floor location inside the Hyatt. Expansive windows provide unobstructed views of both the city and the Rocky Mountains. Watching the sunset at Peaks with a glass of wine or a Colorado craft is a must for tourists and locals alike. To finish off the evening, order a flight of the lounge’s cupcakes. (650 15th St.; 303-436-1234)

Second Home Kitchen + Bar: Located in the JW Marriott in Cherry Creek, Second Home is a true neighborhood bar and the local crowd that comes in for happy hour every day is the proof. While the drinks are delicious, it’s the happy hour food that keeps us coming back: $1 deviled eggs or pimento popcorn and $2 pancetta crostini or sweet potato fries. Even in the winter patrons can enjoy drinks on the outdoor patio next to the long fire place. (150 Clayton Ln.; 303-253-3000)

Ship Tavern at the Brown Palace: Another historic hotel bar, the Ship Tavern also opened shortly after Prohibition, in 1934, and has been serving a wealthier crowd of tourists and locals ever since. Why is it called Ship Tavern, since ships are nowhere to be found in Denver? Good question. We have no idea, but it sure has a lot of nautical décor. No matter, the drinks are still strong, the brews perfectly poured and the hamburgers large and delicious, they just cost a little more. (321 17th St.; 800-312-2599)

Photo via The Cruise Room