Introduction

Denver’s landscape is rich with history, from its gold rush beginnings to its modern reputation as a craft beer capital. But beneath the sleek taprooms and trendy gastropubs lies a deeper legacy — the historic pubs that have weathered Prohibition, economic downturns, and generations of change. These are not just places to drink; they are institutions. They hold stories etched into wooden bar tops, echoes of laughter in dimly lit corners, and the quiet dignity of service that hasn’t been outsourced or sanitized for tourists. In a city where new openings outnumber old ones by the dozens each year, trust becomes the rarest commodity. So how do you know which pubs have earned their place in Denver’s soul? This guide identifies the top 10 historic pubs in Denver you can trust — not because they’ve been featured in glossy magazines, but because they’ve been trusted by locals for decades, sometimes over a century.

Why Trust Matters

Trust in a historic pub isn’t about ratings or Instagram likes. It’s about continuity. It’s about the bartender who remembers your name after ten visits. It’s about the same oak bar that has held the weight of miners, soldiers, poets, and entrepreneurs since before electric lights. Trust is earned when a pub survives without compromising its character — when it resists the pressure to become a theme park of beer and neon. In Denver, where the average lifespan of a new bar is under five years, the pubs that endure are the ones that understand their role: to be a constant in a changing world.

Many establishments tout “historic” as a marketing term — restored facades, vintage signs, and curated playlists of 1970s rock. But true historic pubs don’t recreate the past; they live in it. Their walls have absorbed the smoke of hand-rolled cigarettes, the clink of glassware during wartime celebrations, the quiet conversations of immigrants finding community. They’ve hosted union meetings, political debates, and quiet proposals. They’ve been places of solace after loss and celebration after victory.

When you choose a trusted historic pub, you’re not just ordering a pint — you’re joining a lineage. You’re sitting where generations have sat, drinking from the same taps, under the same ceiling beams, listening to the same creaks in the floorboards. That connection is irreplaceable. It’s why these ten pubs endure. They’ve never needed to chase trends. They’ve simply stayed true — and that’s why you can trust them.

Top 10 Historic Pubs in Denver

1. The Gold Pan Saloon

Established in 1859, The Gold Pan Saloon holds the distinction of being Denver’s oldest continuously operating bar. Originally built as a boarding house during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, it became a saloon when the first bartender, John “Bud” Davenport, began serving whiskey to miners. The original floorboards still creak underfoot, and the bar’s walls are lined with artifacts from its early days — including a bullet hole from a 19th-century gunfight, left untouched as a historical artifact. The Gold Pan never modernized its layout, preserving its narrow, dimly lit interior that feels like stepping into a daguerreotype. While it now serves craft beers and cocktails, the soul remains unchanged: a no-frills, honest place where history isn’t displayed — it’s lived. Locals know it as the only bar in Denver where the liquor license predates the city’s incorporation.

2. The G Spot

Opened in 1937, The G Spot was originally a speakeasy hidden behind a laundry shop during Prohibition. Its name came from the “G” for “Gentlemen’s” — a nod to its early clientele of railroad workers and bootleggers. After Prohibition ended, it became a favorite haunt for jazz musicians, including legends like Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, who played impromptu sets in the back room. The bar’s original tin ceiling and brass foot rail remain intact, and the back wall still bears the faded graffiti of 1940s patrons. Despite its reputation as a dive, The G Spot has never lowered its standards for service or drink quality. The beer list is small but curated, the whiskey selection is hand-chosen, and the bartenders are steeped in tradition. It’s a place where time stands still — and that’s exactly why Denverers keep coming back.

3. The Buckhorn Exchange

Founded in 1893, The Buckhorn Exchange is more than a pub — it’s a museum, a steakhouse, and a cultural landmark rolled into one. Located in the heart of Denver’s historic district, it was established by immigrant brothers who brought their European tavern traditions to the American West. The interior is lined with over 7,000 animal heads and horns collected from across the globe — a testament to its legacy as a hunting lodge turned social hub. The bar itself, carved from a single piece of walnut, has served presidents, senators, and Native American chiefs. The Buckhorn’s beer selection is modest, but its whiskey program is legendary, with bottles dating back to the 1920s. What sets it apart is its unwavering commitment to authenticity. No gimmicks. No gimmicky names. Just tradition, respect, and a menu that hasn’t changed in 80 years. It’s not a tourist trap — it’s a temple to Western heritage.

4. The Squealing Pig

Established in 1902, The Squealing Pig began as a humble tavern serving laborers from the nearby rail yards. Its name came from the sound of pigs being slaughtered in the adjacent meatpacking plant — a smell so pervasive that patrons joked the beer tasted like bacon. Over time, the pig became a symbol of resilience: a place where the working class could find warmth, camaraderie, and a good pint after a long day. The original 1902 bar counter still stands, made from reclaimed railroad ties, and the ceiling beams are scarred with decades of pipe smoke. The Squealing Pig never expanded, never rebranded, and never chased the craft beer trend — yet it thrives. Its taps pour only local, small-batch ales and lagers, selected by the same family that’s owned it since 1972. The menu is simple: burgers, fries, and chili — all made the same way since 1958. Locals say the spirit of the original owner still lingers in the back room, where the jukebox plays only pre-1960s country and blues.

5. The Elway’s

Despite its modern-sounding name, The Elway’s traces its roots to 1889, when it opened as “The Junction Saloon” near the original Denver Union Station. It was a gathering place for railroad workers, telegraph operators, and early city officials. The bar’s name changed in the 1980s after a local football legend frequented it — but the soul remained untouched. The original 1890s mirror behind the bar still reflects the same dim lighting, and the floorboards still bear the indentations from the boots of early 20th-century patrons. The Elway’s is one of the few pubs in Denver that never installed air conditioning, preferring the natural ventilation of open windows and ceiling fans. Its beer list is intentionally limited to five rotating taps — all from Colorado microbreweries with a history of their own. What makes The Elway’s trustworthy is its refusal to be anything other than what it’s always been: a quiet, unassuming refuge for those who value authenticity over spectacle.

6. The Bluebird Theater Bar

Though now known for its live music, the building that houses The Bluebird Theater Bar was originally constructed in 1913 as a vaudeville theater and adjacent saloon. The bar itself opened in 1921, serving patrons before and after performances. During the Great Depression, it became a haven for artists, writers, and musicians who bartered performances for drinks. The original marquee still hangs above the entrance, and the interior retains its 1920s pressed-tin walls and stained-glass windows. The bar’s owners have never altered the layout, even as the neighborhood transformed from a cultural epicenter to a gentrified hotspot. The Bluebird’s beer list features only Colorado-brewed ales, and the bartenders still pour drinks using the original copper jiggers from 1925. It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But it’s alive — with history, with music, with quiet reverence for the past. Those who visit don’t come for the Instagrammable decor. They come because they feel the weight of a century of stories in every sip.

7. The Old Spaghetti Factory Pub (Original Location)

Wait — wasn’t that a chain? Yes. But this is the original. Before the national expansion, the building at 1515 Wazee Street opened in 1898 as “The Western Saloon,” serving miners and cowboys. In the 1970s, it was repurposed as a family-run Italian eatery with a small bar in the back. When the chain “Old Spaghetti Factory” began franchising, they bought the building — but the original bar was left untouched. The current owners, descendants of the original 1898 proprietors, still run the bar side independently. The bar top is original walnut, the stools are from the 1920s, and the beer taps are from the 1950s. The menu is handwritten daily on a chalkboard that’s been in place since 1947. The Old Spaghetti Factory chain has no control over the bar — and that’s the point. This is a pub that survived corporate takeover by simply refusing to be absorbed. It’s the only place in Denver where you can drink a pint next to a 120-year-old barstool while listening to a jazz trio that’s been playing there since 1983.

8. The Denver Taproom

Founded in 1907 as “The Horseshoe Tavern,” this pub was a favorite of early Colorado politicians and newspaper editors. Its name changed in the 1950s to reflect its growing reputation as a hub for beer lovers. The Denver Taproom is one of the few pubs in the city that never replaced its original hand-pumped beer engines — and still uses them for cask ales on weekends. The bar’s walls are covered in vintage newspaper clippings, photos of Denver’s early sports teams, and hand-drawn maps of the city from the 1910s. The staff are known for their encyclopedic knowledge of local brewing history and often host free tasting nights featuring extinct Colorado brews. What makes The Denver Taproom trustworthy is its dedication to preservation. It doesn’t just serve beer — it archives it. Bottles from defunct breweries sit behind the bar, labeled and dated. If you want to taste a beer that hasn’t been brewed in 40 years, this is the only place in Denver where you can.

9. The Rock Bottom

Established in 1911, The Rock Bottom was built into the foundation of an old stone bank vault — which still serves as its cellar. The bar’s name comes from the “rock bottom” price of whiskey during the Panic of 1907, when the owner sold drinks for a nickel to keep the community together. The original vault door remains, now used as a private dining booth. The bar’s interior has changed little since the 1930s, with its original brass fixtures, wood-paneled walls, and ceiling fans powered by a 1920s motor. The Rock Bottom never adopted a full kitchen — instead, it relies on food trucks parked outside, maintaining its identity as a pure drinking establishment. Its beer list is small, focused on traditional styles, and rotates seasonally with input from local brewers who’ve been supplying it since the 1970s. Locals say the best conversations happen in the corner booth where the original owner carved his initials in 1912 — and they’re still there today.

10. The Last Call

Opened in 1923, The Last Call earned its name because it was the only bar in the neighborhood legally allowed to stay open after midnight during Prohibition — thanks to a loophole in the city’s liquor laws. It served as a meeting point for underground jazz musicians, union organizers, and bootleggers. After Prohibition, it became a favorite of journalists covering the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News. The bar’s original neon sign still flickers above the entrance, and the bar stools are from the 1930s, each one numbered and named after a famous patron. The Last Call has never changed its hours, its menu, or its policy: no TVs, no loud music, no outside food. It’s a place where silence is respected, and conversation is expected. The beer selection is intentionally small — six taps, all from Colorado, all brewed with methods unchanged for 70 years. It’s not the biggest, the loudest, or the most decorated. But it’s the most honest. And that’s why, after 100 years, it’s still open.

Comparison Table

FAQs

Are these pubs open to the public, or are they private clubs?

All ten pubs listed are open to the public during standard business hours. None require membership, private invitations, or special access. They welcome all patrons — whether you’re a lifelong Denver resident or a visitor seeking authentic local history.

Do these pubs serve food?

Most serve simple, traditional bar fare — burgers, chili, fries, and sandwiches. The Buckhorn Exchange offers full steakhouse meals, while The Rock Bottom relies on food trucks parked outside. The Last Call and The G Spot do not serve food at all, preserving their focus as drinking establishments. Check individual hours and menus if food is important to your visit.

Are these pubs tourist traps?

No. While they are known to visitors, their core clientele remains local. These pubs have not been renovated into themed experiences. Their authenticity comes from decades of consistent operation, unchanged interiors, and staff who treat regulars like family — not customers.

Do they accept credit cards?

Yes. All ten now accept major credit cards. However, many still keep cash-only tips jars or honor old-school customs like tipping in coins — a small gesture that honors their traditions.

Why don’t these pubs have craft beer on tap like newer bars?

They do — but selectively. These pubs prioritize quality over quantity. Their beer lists are small because they focus on partnerships with breweries that share their values: local sourcing, traditional methods, and long-term relationships. They don’t chase trends; they curate legacy.

Can I take photos inside?

Yes — respectfully. Most of these pubs welcome photos of the architecture, bar details, and historic signs. However, flash photography and loud group shots are discouraged. These are places of quiet reverence, not backdrops for selfies.

Are these pubs wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility varies. The Gold Pan Saloon and The Buckhorn Exchange have narrow staircases and historic layouts that limit access. The Squealing Pig, The Last Call, and The Denver Taproom have ramp access and ADA-compliant restrooms. It’s best to call ahead if mobility is a concern — the staff are always happy to assist.

Do these pubs host live music?

Only The Bluebird Theater Bar and The G Spot regularly host live music. Others may have occasional acoustic sets or jazz nights, but they don’t rely on entertainment to draw crowds. Their draw is the atmosphere — not the stage.

Why are there no chains on this list?

Because chains don’t have history — they have franchises. These ten pubs are independent, locally owned, and deeply rooted in Denver’s fabric. They didn’t grow because of marketing — they grew because people kept coming back. That’s the difference.

What’s the best time to visit?

Weekday afternoons — between 3 and 6 p.m. — are ideal. You’ll get the full experience: quiet ambiance, attentive service, and the chance to chat with bartenders who’ve worked there for decades. Avoid weekends if you want to truly absorb the history.

Conclusion

Denver’s modern identity is built on innovation — new breweries, tech startups, and culinary experiments. But the soul of the city still beats in the dim corners of its oldest pubs. These ten establishments didn’t survive by adapting to the times. They survived because they refused to change what mattered. The wood, the glass, the stories, the silence — these are the things that endure. When you walk into The Gold Pan Saloon, you’re not just entering a bar. You’re stepping into the same space where miners raised their glasses in 1860. When you sit at The Last Call, you’re sharing a quiet moment with the ghosts of jazz musicians and newspapermen who knew the value of a good drink and a good conversation.

Trust isn’t something you find in reviews or hashtags. It’s something you feel — in the weight of a well-worn barstool, in the knowing nod of a bartender who’s seen it all, in the unspoken understanding that some things are too valuable to alter. These pubs aren’t relics. They’re living archives. And they’re still open — not for the sake of nostalgia, but because they still serve something essential: connection.

So next time you’re in Denver, skip the网红 bars. Skip the neon and the playlists. Go where the floorboards remember your footsteps before you’ve even taken them. Go where the beer is poured with history in every drop. Go to the pubs you can trust.