This is a really cool underground speakeasy at the historic Hotel Boulderado. It reminds me of the San Francisco bar scene. True to the name, they hold one of Boulder's first liquor licenses. Inside is a maze of sorts, as you wander through different rooms offering different vibes and activities. They have two bars, host comedy nights and live music, various types of seating, and a wonderful happy hour menu that people should know about. Happy hour is from 5-7pm on all days they're open! PENICILLIN ($8) // Dewar's White Label Blended Scotch Whisky, Laphroaig 10 Year Old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, ginger cordial, honey, lemon. A penicillin is one of my favorite cocktails; one you don't even find on many cocktail menus. The act they're offering it up, for $8 no less, earns a special place in my heart. MOJITO ($8) // Bacardi Superior Rum, mint, simple syrup, lime. Refreshing on those hot days. Served in a large highball glass, this is an enjoyable sipper. BREADED CALAMARI ($10) // Calabrian chili agrodolce, orange salt, chive. I believe the food comes from the upstairs restaurant, so I wouldn't go out of my way to order this one again. Pieces were inconsistently chewy, dare I say rubbery? However, I was hungry and still chowed down. TRUFFLE FRIES ($6) // Truffle aioli, parsley, Parmesan. These are a winner. Truffley and cheesey, what more can a fella ask for during an inebriated meal? Would order these again in a heartbeat! I liked the casualness of this speakeasy. It makes sense considering they're inside a hotel and people will wander in and out of different spaces. Great place to hideaway or have a date night. Need to check out one of their live music or comedy nights! read more

License No. 1 - TRUFFLE FRIES and MOJITO - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Oh gosh... let me start by saying, I hate to leave a two-star review for License No. 1.... My husband and I went to the NYE event at License No. 1. We had event tickets for NYE inside the speakeasy as well as the comedy show at 8PM. The comedy show was great- hilarious in fact! I loved the comedians. The service for drinks was very slow and our seats were uncomfortable. Our seats at least had backs on them, the couple next to us had to sit with their back against the wall, which they said was uncomfortable for the duration of the show. After the comedy act, we went in for the NYE experience. The speakeasy is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The furniture, the decor, the mood, all amazing! The line for drinks was asinine. The bar was crowded with what looked like only 2 bartenders working. And the bartenders were making extravagant cocktails that would take more than 5 minutes each to prepare. It was ridiculous! In my opinion, there should have been a set list of drinks to order that would make the line go faster. My husband and I were at License No. 1 from 8PM - 12:30AM and both only had two drinks each because we didn't want to waste our time standing in line. Also, we ordered dinner at 10PM. I ordered a burger with fries and he ordered a Pastrami Sandwich with fries. After an hour went by, I asked about our food order. It turns out they gave it to the wrong table. They told us to wait and they would bring it out shortly. Fast forward, it's now getting close to midnight and time to make the champagne toast. It's around 11:45PM and still no food. I didn't want to be a "Karen" but at this point I was irritated and hungry. I talked to a manager and he said the kitchen was "a mess", all the food order numbers got mixed up, and he seemed surprised we hadn't received our food yet. We finally received our food around 12:15AM. And what was disappointing to me is that I had paid the bill ahead of time when I placed the order, 20% tip included. We left shortly after. I would love to go back to License No. 1 and hopefully have a different experience, where I can leave a 5-star review. read more

See all

Came in last night to get some drinks and eats before seeing some comedy! The place was packed with long lines to get drinks at the bar and I could see why. The staff were great, the vibes super chill, the drinks were yummy..what's not to like? read more

License No. 1 - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Great location for a sexy meeting or dusky hang out spot with your peeps. This particular bar is located in the lower level of the hotel. The bartenders are friendly and willing to answer any questions. It isn't too loud, so you can comfortably hold conversations. The bar is well stocked for most of your incklings. There is a happy hour food and drink menu. I enjoyed the Time to say dubai which tasted like a cold spiked chocolate milk. read more

I loved this spot. The underground speakeasy vibes are great, with live music on one side of the venue and seating throughout. It got crowded throughout the night but we were able to snag a booth big enough to play cards. The live jazz music was wonderful, and it was nice that it wasn't overly loud where you didn't want it to be. My favorite part about this place was the bar service. Our bartender was very attentive and quick, despite the rush. He made some impressive espresso martinis to help us keep the night going. The decorations fit well with the rich history of the establishment. I felt super fancy sipping on my martini and people watching. Would definitely return again. read more

License No. 1 - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

An intimate speakeasy underneath Boulderado Hotel. We were there for a social gathering and it was the perfect place to mingle and meet people! They have a wide range of beers and mixed drinks. We also ordered chicken wings, calamari (very tender!), Brussels sprouts (very good!) and fries. The food/drinks are on the pricey side but it's on par with other speakeasies. They have a happy hour menu. The unique part is the decor and the different rooms in the basement, pulled back with velvet curtains. We wondered from the main bar to darts room, to comedy room, to other artifact room. You can also head upstairs to check out the hotel lobby, eat at their restaurant. Service was good. Drinks were always ready but in the beginning we waited for the finger foods. There was a live band that played from 8-10pm. We'll be back to hang! read more

See all

This place was recommended by another Boulder bartender and I'm so glad we stopped by. From the delicious drinks (I had an espresso martini) to the live music vibe, I was in my element. I wish I had the energy to stay longer and drink more, but I had a long day. Service was the absolute best, as the bartenders curated the drinks to perfection. Can't wait to return and try more items. Also, hop in the Photo Booth...you won't regret it read more

License No. 1 - ESPRESSO MARTINI - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

This historic speakeasy was the first bar in Boulder to get a legal liquor license to serve hard alcohol (hence the name) and has managed to maintain its old timey charm and elegant aesthetic. It's supposedly a speakeasy but really not hard to find or get into, and it's definitely not a need to know situation, but the basement bar is definitely a lot bigger than you would expect from the outside. We were lucky to snag a table with our big group right when we got in because the place filled up quick with a variant crowd, some college students, older folks, and everything in between. They had a jazz band in one room and loud music playing in the other room so much you almost wouldn't know that there was live music a room over. The booth we got was classy, spacious and comfortable, and the rest of the seating followed the aesthetic to a T. It took a little while in line for drinks at the bar but once we got up there the bartender was efficient, pleasant, and helpful. I got the chai hard cocktail which was so unique but so so good I absolutely loved it. It was sweet with baking spices flavors coming through but not washing away the flavor of the chai infused spirit. It had a great foam on top which contributed to the textural complexity of the drink and was garnished with star anise. Many in my group got the espresso martini which was delicious and everything you could want in this classic cocktail. Some also got the southside which was basically just a gin gimlet but was quite good quality. For an elevated cocktail bar like this with uniquely crafted cocktails I was surprised that the prices weren't too ridiculous at all. My chai cocktail was $15 and more simply classics were closer to $11 while beer on tap was only $4.50. If you like elevated cocktails, historic furniture/vibes, and a lively local vibe, you really shouldn't miss this bar. If I lived in Boulder I would go here all the time and I hope I get to come back someday because this bar will definitely be staying at the front of my mind. read more

See all

Never had food here, but the bar is one of the best in Boulder for atmosphere and good times. Great live music and just a fun place to have a few pops! read more

perfect bar!!! live music, dim lighting, plenty of different seating options, easy to smoke outside, door guys are nice. and the COCKTAILS are tdf. read more

License No. 1 - some monkey drink with tequila lol - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

This is proper pub with excellent cocktails and some beer in a pleasant and unique environment. It costs a little more, but it's a treat for a drink or two. It is a hotel bar, after all, though it's easy to foget that. The place is cavernous in the best possible way, with all sorts of neat little nooks and crannies to hide out in. Take the time to explore them all and no doubt you'll find yourself a favorite spot. In my opinion, it is less pleasant and unique on the weekends when it is simply overcrowded and annoying. The bar can be awkward to access when it's crowded, so some patience is necessary. I personally prefer the quieter weekdays, but that's just me. I can't fault this spot for being good enough to attract a crowd. Worth a visit. read more

such a cool vibe!! stopped by for happy hour and found out about a comedy show going on. deals are good, truffle fries are serious, and drinks are strong but tasty! read more

License No. 1 - MOSCOW MULE, TRUFFLE FRIES - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Great vibes. Great staff. Great music. Great guests (had a nice convo with a stranger). On top of that? A gosh darn perfect New York Sour. read more

License No. 1 - New York Sour - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

A speakeasy in the basement of the Hotel Boulderado. Yes, it's COOL, and it is nicely furnished. During my visit all the bartenders were young females. It does have some drawbacks. You have to walk up to the bar to order and pay for your drinks; they have lots of top shelf alcohol but not all the popular brands. For example, they don't carry Grey Goose vodka- - strange; and, mixed drinks are pricey. Lots of bars are pricey so I won't take away a star for that. Overall, it was a nice experience. read more

This is probably the best bar in Boulder, Colorado! The ambience was perfect, the service was good, the food was excellent, and the drinks were great! We give the bar 5/5 stars. The ONLY reason we were significantly disappointed with this place was the $55 comedy show (for 2 people after tax). I don't think this show is worth more than $30 max; this was the absolute worst comedy show my husband and I have ever been to. We saw Allan Goodwin featuring Brian Sullivan. We give the comedy show a 1/5 stars. Don't go see the comedy here - just go for the drinks and food! read more

License No. 1 - a man standing in front of a microphone - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

See all

classic ambience and vibe, very good drinks and the food menu looks worthy - i'm gonna find out! it's an original speakeasy from well before our time, not some recent hipster attempt at cleverness. read more

Put on your best 'Edwardian Era' clothes, grab the keys to your time machine, and hop on board to come have a drink in this unbelievable gorgeous and original speakeasy! My my it's like walking into something of another era...and I suppose it is. Nothing quite like enjoying a night in a place that transports you in history. This upscale location offers a great menu, with an enchanting aura that makes it great for date night. Nevertheless if you're not looking for a two date sort of thing, the bar also provided an unbelievable ambiance for groups: They have pool table, photo booth, old style bar games; and best of all it's large enough that you could keep coming back and discover a new little corner to enjoy each time. Take your pick from a private section to a bloating social scene, License No. 1 has something for you. The cocktails range from rare whiskeys to fun mixed-gins, and the food lives up to its drinking counterparts. The ambiance does seem a bit more for an older, quieter crowd. But sometimes that's exactly what the evening calls for. Best part of it all is the fun continues upstairs in the gorgeous hotel, something I would call a must see for someone visiting Boulder. read more

License No. 1 - Entrance - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

See all

Wish I could give 0 stars. Very rude staff. Bartenders are nasty and mean to customers. I do NOT recommend this place at all. Many other bars in Boulder that are of much higher quality. Go somewhere else- really. read more

It was a great experience at this club/lounge. Nice ambience, located underground and has kind of a speakeasy vibe. They have different areas with different types of activities - in one room there was a comedy show , at another room that was a live band and people were dancing. Plenty of space with tables and chairs where you can have drinks and hang out with friends. We were very happy that we found this place and had a great evening here. read more

We attended the comedy night on a Friday and laughed our asses off. Cool, cozy space with drinks and food and hilarity. Only $20 per person. We highly recommend. read more

License No. 1 - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

We found out about this bar from the comedy show but it's a super cool speakeasy style bar. We'll definitely be back. The paper plane is on for the best I've had this far west and the car is just really interesting with old Boulder history. The service was great. Check this place out and a double bonus if there's a comedy show. It was sold out so check out tickets online in advance. read more

Great stand up comedy show. Jake mass awesomely funny. Highly recommend. Highly well prepared show

Nice bar, good ambience, decent drinks, but the manager is a knob and the bartenders are unfriendly.

I've found myself in this establishment on two occasions in the past month or so (one for a get together and another for an event). With much hesitation I joined a few friends to join said event. When we arrived to the venue we were excited to learn that we would each receive one free drink however it seemed that the food and drink specials were no longer in place (as advertised in the invite), which perhaps may be due to a miscommunication between the event organizer (who is not associated with License No 1) and the establishment. Once at the bar to redeem our drink tickets I was shocked to hear that my friends were super uncomfortable as the staff was actively voicing their disapproval of making a number of free drinks that evening (I happen to know that my friends tipped $2 and $3 respectively on each of their respective free drinks). This really turned my friends and I off and put a major damper on the evening. We finished our libations and moved along to another establishment from there. More recently I returned for a get together. Arriving early I was happy to take advantage of the happy hour special (Bahama Mama didn't have much flavor but I appreciated the fresh juicy and dark cherry adornment) and truffle fries. As I was the first to arrive from my party I asked both staffers if I might be able to order 2 drinks (one for the guest of honor and one for myself) and neither of them acknowledged my question so when they asked if I wanted to keep a tab open or close the check, I opted to close the check. The truffle fries arrived quickly, had a beautiful presentation and were piping hot. Unfortunately they were in much need of salt however as the staff proved neither friendly or approachable I doused each fry in the sauces provided to try to give them some flavor and discussed moving to another venue when the party finally did arrive. read more

License No. 1 - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

We were told this bar was like a speakeasy and were not disappointed. There are private, quiet sitting areas throughout and there was plenty of space at the bar (we were there before 8 PM). We loved talking with our bartender, Zack, and were sorry to leave before the live music started. The peach bourbon mule was out of this world! read more

License No. 1 - A bar - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

See all

A local friend recommended to check out this hotel for a drink. The lobby architecture was awesome. The stained glass ceiling was beautiful. We asked at the desk about our bar options. Out of the three options, we chose this one downstairs based on ambiance. You have to ring the bell to get in. I ordered the Pimms cup and enjoyed it. The place is dark and very red. Service was ok depending on number of people. The three of us tried two desserts. One was chocolate with hazelnuts. It had whipped cream. It was surprisingly boring. Not very sweet. The other dessert blew us away. It was cranberry and apple pie/tart thing. It was served warm with ice cream. Tart and sweet, hot and cold, contrasting textures, all added to its addictiveness. I loved this place and highly recommend it. I will return to this bar next time I am in the area. read more

See all

Went for live comedy. The warm up comics reveled in bathroom jokes, one seemed to be on some serious drugs. The headliner had flashes of awesomeness but spent tons of time picking on audience members (asking 3 fathers their daughters names, then coming back to ask if they're hot enough to be strippers) with no point or funniness. Headliner seemed to be full of weed, tequila and maybe mushrooms. I'll hang out with a funny friend next time, not worth the trip. read more

I came here on a Monday night as it was one of the only bars in Boulder that were open past 10 o'clock at night. Boulder shuts down early! I guess that can be expected on a Monday night but friends of mine had suggested I check out License No. 1 so I was happy to see they were still down to party come 11. The bar is attached to a fancy hotel, speakeasy vibes for sure. The place is underground, you walk down a few steps to get in and it's very dark inside, like I said, speakeasy. I didn't take the time to explore much but it seemed like there was a lot to look at. Different doors and hallways, quiet seating areas and such. There was a back room that I didn't check out where a band was going to perform, it was cool. My style? I don't know about that, but they were serving alcohol and I wanted some so it was definitely my style this particular night. I came here solo, took a trip for my birthday by myself because I wanted to be able to do whatever I wanted when I wanted and so sparkling Rose was calling my name and luckily the bar was serving just that. The bartender was nice and sociable. I definitely didn't feel weird coming here alone. The bar seats were comfy! They were big red leather and spun with a back on them, I was all about the seats, The bar seemed very, 1940's. For some reason it reminded me of the famous painting Nighthawks by Edward Hopper. Granted this famous artwork was at a diner, something about the feel about the picture reminded me of the feel of this bar. Anyways, they are known for their specialty cocktails but I'm a boring drinker so I stuck to my usual. They do serve food down here too; which was surprising considering the hotel had other restaurants affiliated with it. Side note: If I was rich, I would definitely stay at this hotel, it's at a great location, they have multiple restaurants and bars within and a coffee shop. Back to the food, I didn't order any, but they had things like deviled eggs, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, a Mediterranean plate with hummus and spreads (yum), a Waldorf salad, steak and fries and a burger. If you're into cool speakeasy vibes and craft cocktails this is definitely your place. Drinks are SO not pricey! I was surprised to see their craft cocktails were around $10! Being that this place is attached to a fancy hotel I thought they would jack up their prices but no, super reasonable. Their beers were around $6 or less, wines around $8, I was digging their prices for sure. They do industry night on Sundays, which I think is cool. I was in the restaurant bar scene for 10 years so I can appreciate the friendships I've made through working in a city with a big food scene. Any place that recognizes an industry night is cool! I stayed for a quick drink and then headed back to my hotel. Worth a stop if this seems like your thing. read more

Love this place! Intimate, clean, awesome decor takes you back to prohibition times. The drinks are a little pricier than other bars, but they are worth it. Had the best burger I have possibly ever had, there last night! It's a great place for dates read more

We came in on a Friday evening around 6:30 after having put our name down for a table at a nearby restaurant who said the wait would be 40 minutes. That's enough time for drinkies! The 4 of us found quick seats at the bar, and I sipped a great Manhattan while we chitchatted to pass the time. The bartender was prompt and friendly, and we closed our tab right after ordering so that we could skedaddle when needed. It's a nice ambiance: dark and moody, and the calm atmosphere allowed for us to catch up with friends we hadn't seen in forever. Thank you, come again? I doubt we'll ever be back in the area, but it's worth the stop if you are! read more

This is an underground bar and lounge located downstairs of the Hotel Boulderado! Lots of historical value and backstory to this ambiance. I believe this was the very first bar that was Licensed to serve alcohol. How refreshing. Correct me if I'm wrong haha. There was lovely service in the front-- we had a one of kind voucher for a free drink. My friend had a Peach Mule. She absolutely loved it!! There were a small corner with lights and comfy seats, carved in the wall. We sat there. We felt like queens. They played 1950's music, the lights were incredibly dim, there was lots of red lights and tables. Mostly a very vintage bar. I definitely agreed with my girlfriend that we wanted to plan a girl's night out here. read more

See all

After all of the recent remodeling going on at the Hotel Boulderado, the peeps at License No 1 seem intent to make this swanky underground bar ROAR back to life with the vengeance of its historic Speakeasy days! The venue itself is super cool - antique bulb lighting glows throughout this dark wood + cherry hued bar which spans multiple rooms and hides a pool room, skee ball and lots of dark corners for doing dark deeds. Seriously, there are enough hidden nooks and crannies here to hide Al Capone's body. [Now that I think about it, perhaps this is not so implausible.] Whether you have a huge party or seek a hidden corner with your lover, this is the spot. FREE DRINKS FOR LADIES?!! There are TONS of drink promotions for ladies! Tuesdays, ladies get their first specialty cocktail for FREE!! and then there is a special ladies' menu offering all sorts of $6 specialty drinks. Master mixologist Vince and crew are creating some WICKEDLY delicious crafted cocktails here, ranging from classic Manhattans with preserved cherries to superb herbal, floral and anise spiked beverages that defy gravity. Well, maybe you just defy gravity after drinking a couple of them? FINALLY A BAR WHERE YOU CAN DINE. The FOOD is awesome!! We noshed on a Med platter which was spectacular, especially for a BAR! The truffle fries were awesome. And the desserts we saw go by...yum. I dare say that I rarely think of dining at a bar, but this would be an exception. LIVE MUSIC, BANDS AND A DJ! Thursday and Saturday nights have live acts; a DJ plays on Tuesdays starting at 9:30p. I could not believe the plethora of LOCALS SPECIALS, deals, perks and promotions that these guys dreamed up to appeal to locals and tourists alike. I think no matter who you are, License No 1 is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for sure. SERVICE: Awesome. Be civil, introduce yourself, treat the staff with love and see what kind of AMAZING service you experience. This crew is ready to take care of you! MUST TRY: The Mediterranean platter, truffle fries, hazelnut dessert. Your favorite cocktail, re-imagined by Vincent. read more

See all

Wonderful music but very rude and discriminatory staff. Do not feel safe or respected at this place.

John was amazing! He provided incredible service and we had the best time here! The ambiance combined with the friends, surrounding people, and cocktails made a great experience. read more

John is awesome! I had an incredible experience and my dirty martini was great! The service and atmosphere was incredible. Definitely would recommend coming with friends or even by yourself - some fun and interesting people here. read more

What a great little secret hiding below boulderado hotel! This speakeasy not only has one room but a maze of rooms with all different environments. U really can't go wrong here. We were served by Adriaan from Rhode Island and his drinks were amazing!!! Oh and did I mention it was his FIRST day!!!!! Well done mate!! I will be coming back :) read more

See all

Went in with 10 employees and ordered drinks on a Tuesday night you would think the waiter would be attentive and be willing to answer questions for such a large group but guess what he was not. Guess he had better things to do. Drinks were fine but how do you ruin bourbon, scotch, wine and beer? You ignore the customers. read more

4 Stars for License No 1, based on one visit to this dark and mysterious Lounge. Mysterious and dark! Lots of dark wood, dim lights, and nooks and crannies in this place. You can hang in the bar with everyone else or get some private time in a little nook, I think there are 3 or 4 of them. The first nook we came upon was empty...The next had 2 girls making out...the 3rd had a couple arguing, possibly due to the guy watching the 2 girls make out. We chose the bar, and I was happy to do so. Just had a couple drinks...Rob Roy and a White Russian...the food we saw looked good, including the creme brule, but we had already eaten and were just out exploring and having a few drinks. They also have Brandied Cherries...You can buy a bottle of them for 20 bucks...Try a couple with your drink, pretty tasty! Next visit I want to try this Creme Brule and one of the Burgers! Also, our bartender was impeccably dressed! Not all the patrons tho! read more

We only came here for late night drinks - no special deals, but wanted a speakeasy vibe. We had some delicious cocktails - a French 75 and Old Fashioned. They have several areas where you can sit and even had live music on this Saturday night. I have been to their happy hour before and their Brussel sprouts are great. read more

License No. 1 - Cocktails - French 75 and Old Fashioned - Lounges Near Me - Boulder, Colorado

Love comic cents comedy club here. Its a great time! Cheap tickets, fun environment, good humor