Warm Up: 9 Bars in Denver With Firepits and Fireplaces

Denver is a patio town. Period. The sunshine, (mostly) comfortable weather and wonderful views mean many if not most of Denver’s drinkers prefer to party out of doors. But sometimes, the Rocky Mountains throw Denver drinkers a curve and warmth is needed to fend off winter’s chill in order to polish off a cocktail or a pint. With that in mind, here’s a few good hearths in Denver to imbibe by.

 

Lincoln’s Roadhouse: Because it’s been around forever, Lincoln’s Roadhouse in the DU/Wash Park neighborhood may get overlooked sometimes in bar discussions. It’s got a good fireplace, but the real attraction will be the live music and Cajun/creole-style food. It’s not the slickest bar in Denver, but it has more than its share of rollicking nights. (1201 S Pearl St.)

Inga’s Alpine Lounge: Inga’s happens to be one of the coolest bars in Denver, with a décor that blends vintage ski lodge, mod living and Colorado outdoors. The fireplace will certainly warm you up on a snowy winter’s evening—and it’s not too far away from the bar. (5151 Leetsdale Dr.) 

The Bull & Bush: Located in the independent hamlet of Glendale within Denver city limits, Bull and Bush features one of the best fireplaces around. Plush, comfy couches cradle drinkers with a taste for fine, housemade Colorado craft beer or one of the pub’s hundreds of whiskies. (4700 Cherry Creek Dr.)

 

Jake’s Food and Spirits: A stalwart in Denver’s exploding RiNo neighborhood, it features an outdoor fireplace that’s as likely to attract a hipster in search of a Moscow Mule as a blue-collar type swilling a Pabst Blue Ribbon. Either way, both will be served up by some of the most lovely and talented barkeeps in town. (3800 Walnut St.)

 

Delaney’s: This place occupies a cozy corner in the heart of Denver’s LoDo section. Besides being one of the few places one can smoke indoors in the Mile High city, Delaney’s features strong Irish-bar credentials, a solid cigar selection, plenty of drafts and whisky and even off-track betting. That’s right, you can smoke, drink and gamble in one place. As a bonus, it’s connected to the non-smoking Celtic Tavern. Oh yeah, there’s a fireplace, too. (1805 Blake St.)

 

The Tavern Uptown: One of Denver’s best places to catch a game on TV, its large outdoor patio features some of the best views of downtown and the mountains, and the large fireplace provides a few views of its own. (538 E 17th Ave Pkwy.)

 

Baker Street Pub and Grill: Along with a great beer selection and a well-stocked bar set in Sherlock Holmes theme, it has one of the warmest outdoor firepits in the Denver Technology Center. Stroll in here on a Friday night, and you’ll find the polar opposite of Holmes’ and Watson’s quiet study at 221B Baker Street. (8101 E Belleview Ave.)

 

Stoney’s Bar and Grill: Perhaps the most authentic Colorado bar in town. There’s an emphasis on sports and good, old-fashioned pub fare, but the fireplace is a gathering spot for ski bums, boarders, hikers and urban dwellers alike. (1111 Lincoln St.)

 

The Denver Press Club: The oldest press club in the United States. While these kinds of institutions are fading, it’s worth a visit here not only for the fire place, but the history. Find a member to get you in—the hearth once heated the likes of Damon Runyan and Presidential visitors Woodrow Wilson and Warren Harding. (1330 Glenarm Pl.)