A Guide to The Best Martini in Denver

Shaken, Stirred, and Steeped in History

Take a step back in time to 1933. The dry, dusty days of Prohibition are behind you. Denver is crackling with the electricity of newfound, wet freedom. You head to the city center and set your sights on a newly opened bar to whet your whistle and sip a cold, refreshing, perfectly made martini. You close your eyes, take that first sip, and realize you’re not in 1933, you’re in present-day Denver at The Cruise Room, where the Art Deco soul of post-prohibition persists in the bar’s velvet booths, polished chrome, and pink neon glow that bathes the room in 1930s glamour.

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The Ultimate Night Out

Downtown Denver’s bars and modern clubs offer high-energy bass, strobe lights, and crowds of people. Head to the historic bars and speakeasies for something far more intoxicating: sophistication. Trade noise for nuance, drafty warehouses for intimate settings, and clubware for elegant garb for a refined evening.

Keep reading to discover the chicest lounges, most iconic bars, and best martinis in Denver.

The Crown Jewel: The Cruise Room Denver

A Living Time Capsule

Opened the day after Prohibition ended, December 6, 1933, The Cruise Room isn't just a bar; it’s a landmark. It has survived decades of urban change, remaining remarkably untouched, serving as Denver's primary witness to the evolution of cocktail culture.

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Architectural Marvel

Not only does it feel like stepping back in time when you visit The Cruise Room, you’ll also feel as though you’ve just boarded a luxury ocean liner. Modeled after a lounge on the RMS Queen Mary, the room features a narrow bottleneck shape and is bathed in an iconic pink neon glow that softens the edges of the outside world. 

The result is one of the most atmospheric bars in Denver. The light is flattering. The booths are intimate. The room feels cinematic without trying too hard.

Pro tip: On your first visit, take a closer look at the wall panels. The original chrome and neon reflect onto panels depicting lighthearted toasts from around the world, adding another layer of 1930s international flair to the room.

The Oxford Bar

The Cruise Room is tucked inside The Oxford Hotel, Denver’s oldest operating hotel. Opened in 1891, the hotel offers The Cruise Room a unique sense of place. You’re not just sipping cocktails in a lounge meant to look historic, you’re experiencing real history steps from Union Station and surrounded by the architecture, rail history, and energy that shaped Lower Downtown.

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The Art of the Pour: Signature Drinks

The Quest for the Best Martini in Denver

At the Cruise Room, the martini isn't a drink; it's a discipline. While modern bars might over-complicate things with infused syrups, the "Gold Standard" here is defined by temperature and technique. Whether you prefer gin or vodka, the preparation is focused on achieving a crystalline, ice-cold clarity that honors the spirit's integrity.

Beyond the Gin

Discover the Spirits

If you aren't a martini purist, the menu offers a curated journey through the 20th century:

The Sazerac: A nod to the New Orleans roots of classic mixology.

The Tom Collins: Bright, effervescent, and timeless.

Modern Twists: Contemporary bartenders occasionally play with house-made bitters or seasonal botanicals to keep the menu fresh for the modern palate.

The hallmark of a true historic pour is the sidecar carafe. Your martini is served in a chilled glass, but the "bonus" remains in a small glass carafe nestled in a bowl of crushed ice. This ensures the perfect chill from the first sip to the last.
 

Atmosphere & Etiquette

Best Date Spots in Denver

The Cruise Room’s intimate corner booths are the perfect spot for a first or a fiftieth date. The low lights, the iconic drinks, and the feeling of it being just the two of you make it one of the best date spots in Denver. Embrace the low-and-slow cocktail culture, the TV-free ambiance, and the quiet murmur of other martini-loving guests.

The Downtown Cocktail Crawl

Nearby Recommendations

While the Cruise Room is the anchor, these are the best bars in Denver to round out your night:

Union Station Gems: High-end spirits and grand architecture just a block away.

Cooper Lounge: Located on the mezzanine of Union Station, it offers high-end spirits and a bird’s-eye view of the Great Hall’s grand architecture.

Mercantile: For those who want a world-class cocktail paired with artisanal, farm-to-table snacks.

Speakeasies in Denver

Hidden Entrances with Modern Flair

Modern Speakeasies: Finding hidden entrances in LoDo for a contemporary take on the prohibition theme.

Run for the Roses: A subterranean lounge in Dairy Block that feels like a hidden clubhouse for gamblers and connoisseurs.

Agua Bendita: A cozy, hidden spot focusing on Mexican spirits with a prohibition-era soul.

Boys and Girls Club: A true hidden entrance speakeasy experience with master-level mixology in Denver’s Cherry Creek North neighborhood.

Other Top Martini Bars

Denver, CO Options

A quick-reference list of where else to find a world-class pour.

The Corner Office Restaurant & Martini Bar: A playful downtown martini bar experience. Their beverage menu includes The Corner Office Martini with a choice of gin or vodka, Lo-Fi Blanc, and olives.

Welton Room: A sultry lounge atmosphere, craft cocktails, and a stylish night out in Five Points. Welton Room highlights its craft cocktails, lush lounge ambiance, and modern American small plates.

Forget Me Not: A polished Cherry Creek cocktail energy and a fashionable crowd.

Plan Your Historic Evening

Avoid the rush and snag a coveted corner booth at The Cruise Room by either arriving early for pre-dinner martinis or later in the evening as a nightcap. While Denver is a casual city, the lounge provides you with the perfect excuse to dress up. Dust off your blazer or your silk dress for a more immersive experience at The Cruise Room, and enjoy your Friday night dressed to the nines and sipping a perfectly chilled martini in the best bar in Denver.

Make your evening last all weekend with an overnight stay at The Oxford.

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