Denver Cocktails Tour

Overview

Visit some of the best cocktail bars in Denver on this roving adventure through the heart of downtown. From a light and crisp spritz to a smooth and serious Butter Pecan Old Fashioned, there's something for everyone on this boozy Denver cocktail tour. Visit three of the best cocktail bars and restaurants in the city and sample four cocktails paired with small plates at two stops. You’ll start at the iconic Union Station, heading next to the city’s oldest hotel. You’ll end on the Dairy Block, one of Denver’s newest, coolest micro-districts. At each stop, you’ll sample a craft cocktail (or two!), learn about Denver’s growing food and cocktail scenes and mix and mingle with fellow foodies. Your experienced local guide will share fun cocktail history and stories about Denver’s prohibition days as well as our recent culinary renaissance, putting Denver on the map for foodies and drink enthusiasts across the country.

What's included

• ✓Italian Marinated Olives
• ✓2 Craft Cocktails Made Daily
• ✓Brachetto Spritz from James-Beard Award-Winning Restaurant
• ✓Housemade Focaccia
• ✓Butter Pecan Old Fashioned

• ✕Gratuities

What you'll do

1. 1

   We begin the Denver Cocktails Tour inside Union Station, one of Denver’s most beautiful and historic spaces. Originally built in 1881 and completely restored in 2014, this Beaux-Arts landmark now serves as the city’s social hub — a place where travelers, locals, and visitors all cross paths. Beneath its soaring ceilings and chandeliers, the Great Hall buzzes with energy from the bars, cafés, and restaurants that have turned the station into a showcase of Denver’s food and drink culture. As guests gather here to meet their guide, you’ll hear the story of how Union Station helped shape the city — from its railroad beginnings to its rebirth as a centerpiece of downtown life. The tour starts here because it captures the essence of Denver: classic architecture, warm hospitality, and a spirit of reinvention. After introductions and a quick orientation, we’ll step out into the city to explore the cocktail bars that define Denver’s modern mixology scene.

   ⏱ 5 min
2. 2

   Our first stop is Tavernetta, one of Denver’s most celebrated Italian restaurants and the perfect place to ease into the evening. Warm, elegant, and welcoming, it captures the relaxed sophistication of dining in northern Italy — complete with an open kitchen and a view of passing trains just steps from Union Station. Here, we start with a Brachetto Spritz, a refreshing twist on the classic aperitivo that blends lightly sparkling red Brachetto wine with citrus and a touch of bitterness. To pair, the kitchen serves housemade focaccia — golden, soft, and fragrant with olive oil — alongside a garlic conserva and mix of marinated olives. The result is simple but deeply satisfying: bright, herbal, and balanced flavors that wake up your palate for what’s to come. As your guide shares the story of Tavernetta’s James Beard Award–winning team, you’ll experience why this stop embodies the best of Denver’s elevated yet unpretentious dining scene — timeless hospitality with a local touch.

   ⏱ 25 min
3. 3

   Our second stop brings us inside the Oxford Hotel, Denver’s oldest continuously operating hotel and a living piece of the city’s history. Opened in 1891, just a few years before the Brown Palace, the Oxford has hosted cowboys, railroad tycoons, and even the occasional movie star. As we step through its doors, your guide shares stories of the city’s early days — when Union Station had just opened across the street and this hotel was the height of frontier luxury. The lobby feels like a step back in time: rich wood paneling, art deco details, and century-old tilework that’s been carefully restored. Your guide paints the scene of 19th-century Denver — a booming, dusty town on the edge of the Rockies where whiskey and railroads shaped fortunes. This stop isn’t just about the drinks to come; it’s a chance to see how Denver’s cocktail culture began, in the same building where travelers once swapped stories over glasses of bourbon more than a hundred years ago.

Availability & pricing

Pick your exact date & check live availability on the booking page.

Good to know

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Minimum drinking age is 21 years
• Vegetarian tastings are available
• Mocktails are available upon request

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.