Places & Experiences
Four spots where finding the bar is half the fun.
By Lisa · Estimated read time: 5 minutes
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The Quick Take
Denver has plenty of bars, but I wanted the ones where finding the bar is part of the fun.
I tried four completely different hidden-bar experiences — one inside a vintage shop, one behind a freezer door, one tucked underground beneath Dairy Block, and one filled with moody neon. They all had something different going for them, so here’s what each one is actually like and which I’d pick depending on the kind of night you’re looking for.
All the Info
Garage Sale Vintage
This one was fun before we even got to the bar.
You walk in and it genuinely looks like a vintage shop — racks of clothing, old posters, records and random nostalgic finds everywhere. We ended up wandering around looking at everything before really doing anything else. There was a DJ playing while we were there, which made the whole thing feel more like a night out than stopping into a store.
Then there’s the bar.
Garage Sale Vintage basically combines vintage shopping with cocktails, so you can grab a drink and keep browsing. The drink menu leans fun and casual, with cocktails, margaritas, house-infused shots, beer and non-alcoholic options.
The useful stuff
📍 Where: 1445 Larimer St Suite A, Denver, CO 80202
🍸 Drinks: Cocktails, beer, wine, house infusions and non-alcoholic drinks
💵 Happy hour: Monday–Friday, 3–6 PM. $2 off draft beers, house cocktails, pitchers and hot dogs.
My take: I liked this one because the experience wasn’t just about sitting at a bar. Walking through all the vintage clothing, posters and other random finds was part of the fun — and having a DJ there made it even better.
Official website · View the drink menu
Retrograde
This one actually feels like finding a hidden bar.
Retrograde is tucked inside an ice cream shop, and the entrance is a walk-in freezer door. You wait outside the freezer until someone comes to get you, then they walk you through into the bar. That whole process alone made this one feel like an actual speakeasy experience instead of just a bar that happens to be hidden.
When we went, the inside had a Christmas-y feel, which made the already cozy, tucked-away atmosphere even better.
One thing I noticed: there weren’t any non-alcoholic cocktails listed on the menu when I was there. I asked about it, though, and the bartender made me one anyway — and it was actually really good. So if you don’t drink, it’s still worth asking what they can make.
The useful stuff
📍 Where: 530 E 19th Ave, Denver, CO 80203
👯 Good to know: 21+ and seated-only.
🍸 Zero-proof option: $11 bartender’s-choice drink made with zero-proof spirits, seasonal syrups and juices.
Good to know now: Retrograde currently lists a bartender’s-choice zero-proof cocktail on the menu.
My take: The entrance made this one for me. Waiting outside a freezer door in an ice cream shop and then being escorted into a hidden bar is exactly the kind of thing I want from a speakeasy. And I really appreciated that they were willing to make me a non-alcoholic drink even though there wasn’t one listed on the menu.
Official website · View the current menu
Run for the Roses
You enter underneath the cocktail sign and head downstairs, where you check in at this little window before they let you into the bar. It definitely has that hidden-away feeling, but once you’re inside, the vibe is much more classy and polished.
Even the little details fit the theme. When the check came, it was delivered in a presenter labeled “The Damage,” which was such a cute touch.
I kept it simple and had a non-alcoholic beer while I was there. Next time, though, I’d definitely ask if they can make a non-alcoholic cocktail — especially after having such a good experience asking for one at Retrograde.
The useful stuff
📍 Where: 1801 Blake St #10, Denver, CO 80202
🚪 Entrance: In the alley between Blake and Wazee Streets underneath the red neon “Cocktails” sign.
👯 Getting in: Walk-ins only; no reservations.
Good to know now: They do make zero-proof cocktails — their current menu has dedicated NA options and they can make custom ones too.
My take: I really liked the classy feel of this one. The downstairs entrance and check-in window make getting there part of the experience, but it still feels sophisticated once you’re inside. I’d absolutely go back — and next time I’m asking what they can make me for a non-alcoholic cocktail.
Official website · Visitor info + FAQ
The Devil’s Drink
Another downstairs spot — but this one had a completely different feel.
I’m a sucker for a good neon sign, so The Devil’s Drink immediately got me. The whole place has this dark, moody, slightly mischievous vibe with red lighting and neon signs throughout — including “You look lonely… I can fix that” and my personal favorite, “Please don’t summon demons in the bathroom.”
The drink menu was fun too, and unlike some of the other stops, they actually had non-alcoholic options on the menu, which I appreciated. It meant I could still order something that felt like part of the experience instead of just grabbing a soda or beer.
The useful stuff
📍 Where: 1553 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
🍸 Drinks: House cocktails and a large espresso-martini selection.
My take: This one was very much my vibe. Give me a hidden downstairs bar, a fun drink menu and ridiculous neon signs and I’m happy. I especially liked that there were non-alcoholic choices already on the menu instead of having to ask for something custom.
Official website · View the drink menu
The 30-Second Version
Short version? They’re all worth checking out, but for completely different reasons.
Garage Sale Vintage — Go for the most casual/fun stop. Browse vintage clothes and posters, grab a drink and catch a DJ while you’re there.
Retrograde — Go for the actual hidden bar experience. Waiting outside a walk-in freezer door inside an ice cream shop to be let into a secret bar is hard to beat.
Run for the Roses — Go for the classy one. The downstairs entrance, check-in window and little details make it feel polished and special.
The Devil’s Drink — Go for the vibe. Dark, downstairs, fun drinks and neon signs everywhere. Bonus: they actually had non-alcoholic options on the menu when I went.
If I had to pick…
Most fun to find: Retrograde
The walk-in freezer door wins this one.
Best date-night vibe: Run for the Roses
Classy, intimate and feels a little more special.
Most unique: Garage Sale Vintage
Vintage shopping + drinks + a DJ isn’t something you run into every day.
Best vibe: The Devil’s Drink
I’m a sucker for neon signs, so this one had me.
Best if you don’t drink: The Devil’s Drink
They already had non-alcoholic choices on the menu when I went. That said, Retrograde made me a really good NA drink when I asked, so don’t be afraid to ask even if you don’t see one listed.
The one I’d take someone to for the full “wait, where are we going?” experience: Retrograde
The ice cream shop → freezer door → hidden bar progression is just fun.
The Good Stuff
Things worth trying, knowing, doing & sharing.