Retrograde is a fun and quirky speakeasy that's located within an ice cream shop. It's convenient because when you're waiting for a table, you can grab a scoop of ice cream. The place is on the smaller side so the tables are a bit close to one another. The drinks are fun and some come with a presentation zhuzh which adds to the ambiance. The menu had about 12 specialty cocktails on top of traditional cocktails. You have the option of letting the bartender go wild with their imaginations and create a drink for you. Overall, it's a fun plcae. read more

Retrograde - Land of Doom & Doomsday Machine - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

One of the managers that I worked with surprised us and said we're going to an ice cream shop before dinner. Lol, it turned out that there was a speakeasy behind the freezer door in the back. We had no issues getting seated in a booth and ordered our drinks. All the cocktails were named after old sci-fi/horror films, which was kinda entertaining. I got the cocktail with the word "Vegas" in it lol (can't remember the full name). It was a bit too tart and sweet for my liking. Retrograde is definitely a cool speakeasy to check out but the cocktail did not blow me away. FYI - There's only one guy who was the host, bartender, and server, so it does take some time from getting seated to getting drinks on the table. read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

One of my favorite speakeasy's in Denver! Located in the ice cream shop Frozen Matter is the cocktail bar Retrograde. You enter through the front and head straight back to a freezer door in the back of the room, where there are instructions to call the hostess. If there's a wait, you can get a scoop of ice cream while you wait for your table. Once inside, it's a dark lit room with space for probably about 20 people. It's quirky with a movie playing on the wall and music in the background. The menu has a list of creative cocktails and even a few beers. If you get the chance sit at the bar so you can watch the drinks being made. Definitely a cool place to bring people from out of town and it's a little off the beaten path of your downtown Denver places. read more

Went on a Friday night around 9:00pm and waited about 20 minutes to get in. Really fun interior, super cozy for a winter night. The cocktails all looked enticing ($17) so my friends and I each tried a different one. Not a single one of us finished our drink and mine was left almost full. In the 30 minutes that we sat at the bar after receiving our drinks the bartenders never once checked on us or asked if we needed anything else. We clearly didn't enjoy the cloyingly sweet and artificial tasting cocktails and there was never an offer to remake them or get us anything else. When we sat down the bartender said, "obviously we don't recommend the beer or wine here"... but that would definitely be the safest bet. I won't be back, but I'm glad I tried it. read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

This speakeasy is really fun. The menu is super creative and super quirky. The quality of the drinks can be hit or miss; I think some of the drinks are more typical and easy-to-drink (The Brain) while some are a little more difficult to drink (Voyage into Space - definitely would not order again), as the options on the menu are quite adventurous. Overall, this bar has a great chill and eclectic vibe with a movie casually playing in the background, a quiet-ish area to talk to with friends, and a fun ambiance. Plus, anything located behind an ice cream shop (which also sells great ice cream) would make for an easy hangout with friends. The downside is that the cocktails do run a bit expensive. read more

Speakeasy located behind an ice cream store! The concept is cute but the drinks were subpar and didn't taste very good. The inside was pretty cute with tiny lights hanging but cramped. read more

First speak easy out of state. I was searching for something low key to do before our flight back home the next day. Came across this spot and wanted to check it out. It is really inside a functional ice cream spot. You walk in and locate the freezer door and there is a sign with directions on how to enter. It really made it feel exclusive because as people were ordering ice cream, we were waiting to get access to the speakeasy. You can see others looking over to see where we were going and what we were doing. Inside is small and quaint but the service adds another layer that makes it that much better. Loved the themed menu and drinks are pretty strong. Makes sure you are something before you come by. Check this place out it's worth it! read more

Retrograde - Front entrance - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

Ambiance is amazing. I love that its a hidden speakeasy. The store front is an ice cream shop and you have to go through a freezer door to enter the bar area . I sat at the bar area but they also offer booth seating for a party of 4 people . They have about two bartenders so patience maybe needed ‍. Wish I had more photos to share but I definitely was into the whole experience that I forgot to take more photos Parking - street parking is limit but around the block you will find parking garages. read more

Retrograde - View from my bar seat . Intimate ambiance : ) - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

This place was pretty amazing. Behind a pretty busy ice cream shop we found some of the best cocktails the city has to offer. Great staff and ambience this place came to me through a recommendation and didn't disappoint. A limited selection of cocktails off the menu but they accommodated based on tastes for anything of the menu. My fav was the tiki cocktails that had a variety of different flavors. A very intimate gathering space that came off well with everything you would expect a solid cocktail spot to have. Strong recommend. read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

When in doubt, visit a speakeasy! To enter the Retrograde, look for Frozen Matter and by then you'll be able to figure out that the entrance is through a freezer door as there will be a line of people wanting to go in. We were in line and failed to read that vertical driver's licenses weren't allowed! My boyfriend and our friend luckily pulled out their passports ids and were able to come in. It was a small, intimate place to have a drink or two with friends or a partner! We were seated by the bar and were able to chat with Joaquin since he used to live in Central Coast North as well! As for the drinks we ordered The Brain, Bikini Girls Dinosaurs, and Meteor Moon! All of them were great. We were also given the chance to see how they make the drinks and praise all bartenders for being able to memorize drink orders because that is a wonderful skill. After our drinks, Joaquin gave us a boomerang task to take to another bartender at our next stop: Pony Up! Very cool experience, thank you! read more

See all

The ambiance was cool, but the drinks were terrible. And at 17 dollars a drink, it wasn't even worth a 5 dollar happy hour special. The drinks were so bad, but the fact that it was a speak easy is the reason it got 2 stars vs one. The ice cream store that's attached tho was a 10/10 hitter! read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

One of my favorite speakeasies in Denver, not just because it was so convenient to my old home! First, let's start with getting into the spot. No passwords, no reservations way in advance needed. Just walk up, and you'll be let into the freezer. There's nothing too hard, and it's all just delightful. Be aware that there aren't enough tables for a huge group. I'm sure they'll find a way to seat you, but we found it easiest to just put ourselves down as groups of 4. Lastly, feel free to order yourself a custom drink. They're masters at making cocktails, and frankly I sometimes find the menu a little too strong or funky. I love that the bartenders will make me something sweet and flaming with vodka, or whatever it is I want. read more

This is what we ordered and our exact reviews - A tale of an onion witch Could have taken a bite out of an onion and had a more pleasant experience, def would get this on a first date if you hate him, 2/10 experience for the rest of the people at the table - Robo vampire Definitely strong, popping boba ? Interesting experience? Just was told not popping boba...gel? Lots of balls in my mouth,otherwise great experience 8/10 -moon ghost Twas delicious, creamy and purple...yummy ? Got a little buzz, egg whites for some added protein !! 9.5/10 -massacre of dinosaur valley Definitely not for just two people..as I'm just learning...unless you want to get surprisingly trashed. My local frat could probably whip this up for less than 10 dollars. This def did the job, very entertaining, shocking presentation, but even more shocking how I felt after I drank this with a friend??? Would give 10/10 We ordered a second, was definitely worth the hype, I don't like beer but was good bc I couldn't taste it after half of it ! DO NOT pull the bottles out until half of it is done... or do??? Choose your own adventure!!! Loved it! Amazing !! Fantastic!! read more

Great location for a speakeasy! I was totally tickled by entering through an ice cream shop freezer. The inside of the place was nice - dark and ambient with a cool vibe. The cocktail menu was interesting, I had to ask for more details about several of the drinks because I didn't know all of the liqueurs and things used. The bartender was knowledgeable and able to guide me to something I'd enjoy. This is the type of place where you come for the speakeasy experience and a fancy cocktail, and then move on to your next spot. The drinks were delicious, but I can't imagine drinking more than one or two. More of a personal preference than anything, of course. read more

See all

TLDR: Overpriced, poor service, and the worst drinks you'll have. It is not an understatement to say I love themed bars, themed restaurants, and the like. Everywhere I travel I try to find some wonderful themed experience, with speakeasies being high on my list. I can easily justify a drink price if the experience is wonderful enough. for a good drink $20 is nothing. for a Drink that tastes like what i can only describe as tasting like the ectoplasm left behind by Slimer from Ghostbusters.. I feel ashamed to say that I paid that much to consume that horrible secretion. I went in on a sunday night, there were 2 bartenders, and 6 people inside. Theming: 4/5 cute, and the ice cream shop smelled wonderful! Vibes: 4/5. A smaller bar meant you could chat with people easily, and I quickly made friends. Drink Quality 1/5. overpriced ($20 a drink) for the most mid drinks you will ever have in your life. A dive bar could actually serve something of better quality easily. All the ingredients look like something that a top tier bar would have. cocktails with egg whites? rare liquor? yet somehow combined tasted incredibly flavorless, boring, or downright disgusting. I told you how I befriended other bar goers right? guess what we connected on: how bad the drinks were. Service: 1/5 despite there only being six people in the bar, the bartenders somehow found ways to ignore us. it took 30 minutes for me, or any of my new friends to wave someone down for a tab. Final review: Denver has wonderful experiences all around. great theming, and amazing food and drinks at several establishments. This unfortunately is not one of them. Please save your time and head elsewhere, or just pop in to get a soda if you really *must* see the inside. read more

Retograde was cool, with nice open space, and good lighting, and the DJs were on point. Delicious cocktails and such a delightful, fun welcoming staff! Would definitely recommend this place if you're into craft/bespoke cocktails and enjoy a creative cocktail experience. read more

I recently traveled to Denver and tried to go to this bar with my friends. A person answered the door and I referred to them as mam. This wasn't out of a malicious intent as I was raised to call people mam and sir out of respect. The person then asked me to refer to them as Mo. I then responded to them as Mo. Then me and my buddy's were denied entry after waiting 20 minutes because a member of the staff felt disrespected. I was very upset leaving as this bar had been talked up by my buddy and this was the entrance I got. Won't go back. read more

~A VYBE~ This speakeasy is totally worth whatever wait time!!!!!!!! Dark and mysterious this tiny spot is packed in with lights, a proyector screen (yay film) and about 5 tables (if I counted right.) Very intimate setting. The bartender / waiter are all very focused on their guests as seating is limited. Tip: come with a small group, meaning 2-3 people.. there's only two tables that can hold a group of 4 so, less is more when visiting Retrograde :) read more

Retrograde - Brain dead sub vodka with tequila - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Such a cool vibe in this hidden room. Service was great and our drinks were spectacular. read more

See all

A neat little speak easy that's behind an ice cream shop. How you get in is pretty interesting, though when we went the AC was broken. It wasn't as bad in there as we thought it would be, but the poor bartender was clearly dying of heat stroke. The bartender, while sweating away his sins, was super attentive but also kind of sassy which honestly, we prefer. No one likes a bartender who's dull. The drink menu was for sure interesting and we ended up trying quite a few. Honestly though, best part was the Bollywood action movie playing on the TV cause no one expects that and it was pretty good?! Cool place to check out, though it is dark. But I mean it's a speak easy.. aren't they supposed to be dark and mysterious? In my mind, yes. Yes they are. read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

I love a good speakeasy and I love ice cream, so when I found out Retrograde was a speakeasy inside an ice cream shop there was no question of whether or not we were going. We must have got there at the right time because while there was a little line when we walked in, it ended up getting much longer behind us - but thankfully there was ice cream to distract from the wait While the line looked long, it moved pretty steadily and the host was good about coming out and giving each party an update on time. We didn't stay too long once inside as we were tired from a long day, but the tasty cocktails were a perfect end cap to the night. read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Joaquin provided an excellent experience. He is super personable and knows his stuff. Lots of exciting things coming up for Retrograde and I am stoked about it. read more

Adorable, quaint speakeasy located inside an ice cream shop. It is a very small space. It's best to come in a small group. Come early - I arrived at the perfect time so my guest and I didn't have to wait long. As we were leaving, there was a line out the ice cream shop door! Sorry I didn't get any pics. read more

This speakeasy definitely threw me off being a ice cream shop in front. I forgot it was a speakeasy and was lost finding it lol. Once I walked in I fell in love with the aesthetic and jazz playing. The drinks were very intriguing and delightful. Watching the bartender make them was even a show in itself. I'd definitely come back with a reservation to sit at one of the tables instead of the bar. read more

See all

I loved this cute little speakeasy! I am a speakeasy girlie so if there's one in town, I'll sniff it out. I was in Denver only for a Monday and this was one of the few speakeasies open. I chatted with some guests who go around to highly ranked bars (so they visited this one because it was highly ranked). I had two drinks- Bikini Girls vs Dinosaurs and Vegas in Space. The bartender Paul, was great, he talked to me about how the menu was created because I was especially interested in the acidified carrot. They were both tasty and they both were concocted with ingredients I don't usually see in drinks. read more

This is such a fun place! the bartenders will also go off menu if you give them ideas of what you like!

Hands down my favorite bar of all time! My partner and I have visited Retrograde on two separate occasions while we were visiting Denver and always left with our expectations exceeded in practically every aspect that you would want from a craft cocktail bar. For starters, service is great thanks to some friendly and talented bartenders who are knowledge in cocktail making. I enjoy the intimate service that you get which is another aspect of what makes this bar so unique. Second, the cocktails are amazing! It's hard to go wrong with any of the choices. The recent time we came they had revamped their menu and it was seriously overwhelming (in a good way) to know which drink to choose. These cocktails are crafted in-house and it's clear how much thought goes into the making of these. Lastly, the ambiance is definitely chill, intimate and prefect to go with a +1. Not so sure about big groups larger than 4. The first time we went it was on a Friday and the wait was long but still worth it. The second time we came on a Sunday evening closer to opening which was even better because we completely avoided a line. Retrograde will continue being our go-to bar to visit in Denver! For now, I'm mastering the Space Ninja at home read more

Retrograde - Space Ninjas - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

Mo.... Best bartender around. So much fun at Retrograde. The crew is great and the drinks are amazing. Cool vibe read more

I am a huge fan of SpeakEasys. I came across this gem while visiting Denver. Like most SpeakEasys, there is usually a process to find and access these places. Retrograde did not dissapoint. All I can say is that if you like oce cream, you'll find this place. I visited this place with several colleagues. Bar service was great. Handcrafted drinks tasted as well as they looked. We only had time for 1 round before they closed but would definitely visit this place again. read more

See all

Visiting my friend in Denver and we decided to stop here after dinner for drinks. This place is a discreet, small cocktail lounge hidden in back of an ice cream shop. A look inside, you get a mix of speakeasy yet chill and hipster atmosphere. They offer a variety of clever cocktails. I decided to go off the menu and I ordered a classic old fashioned drink. Considering that bourbon drinks are my staple cocktails, I was anxious to try it. From presentation to taste, I was impressed. Pleasantly sweet, the cocktail had a nice blend of bourbon, sugar cube, bitters, topped with an orange peel garnish. Balanced. Bold. Sippable. Well done. Overall, great food and great service! read more

See all

3.5 stars. If you tell me about a local speakeasy I've never been to, you can bet I'm already marking my calendar for a girls night out. Retrograde is located past a walk-in freezer door of the Frozen Matter ice cream shop. We had a quick and positive experience getting seated at a table, arriving close to the opening time. It helped that there were only two of us. Love the cocktails here. They're all so different with such unique names and ingredients. Would come back for those! Food, on the other hand, wasn't good. Selection was limited, and the sliders we had were dry and didn't satisfy our taste palettes. They probably have a food menu to help absorb all the alcohol... which I ultimately appreciated. Our waitress was attentive, and we didn't feel rushed, despite Retrograde getting busier as the night went on. We had a great time overall. There's such a quirky neon vibe (not my typical preference for speakeasies) but if there's little to no wait, totally worth checking out and crossing off your list. Oh and make sure to grab some ice cream on your way out! read more

If you don't know about the secret gem hidden in the ice cream shop you're missing out! There is a freezer door that brings you to this magical place! You walk in and smell the aromas of their speciality cocktails. Every drink was made with perfect and love. The bar tenders all vibed really well together and that made the experience that much more enjoyable. We got the vicious lips, the amazing bulk, and another I can't remember or find online but it was the sweetest one! You'll have to go find out for yourself! Try it and let me know your thoughts read more

Retrograde - Vicious lips - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Cute setting!! Go through the icecream shop, go to the freezer and ring the bell in the side!! All cocktails are $16. Would try a different drink next time!! read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Exceptional staff, experience and drinks we were really impressed with: The Brain, Roboshark, phantom planet, and the metro moon read more

See all

Interesting little spot hidden behind an ice cream shop. The drinks are unique and very cute vibe read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado

See all

Smallish speakeasy in the back of an ice cream shop. The drinks were movie themed and excellent. The service was also spot on. Definitely would go back. read more

Love where the bar is located. The menu had some interesting drinks but the atmosphere was my favorite spot. Love the 90s hip hop music in the background. Definitely would recommend this place! read more

If you're in Denver, come check out this cool and unique bar! A little bit of a wait, but trust me it's worth it! The guys working back there are rocking it! Very unique menu and vibe, 100% worth it to support this place! read more

See all

Kind of disappointing. While it was comfortable and a relaxed environment, the vibes were kind of tacky for me, but may be enjoyable for some. We waited about 20-30 minutes for drinks, which were not really what we expected. I would say the menu descriptions are not very accurate or comprehensive, and I would recommend asking the bartender about the drinks further to make sure you know what you're ordering. The prices are crazy for the quality of the drinks (ranging from $15-$30), including presentation which was lackluster and lazy, and taste which I could only describe as being odd. I can appreciate the attempt at crafting completely unique drinks, but they missed the mark and even the bartender discouraged my friend from ordering a specific drink because he said it was bad. I would discourage others from visiting this speakeasy at all. read more

It's always a cool time going to a cocktail lounge/bar behind of a great ice cream shop. Pricey cocktails but they are pretty great. Definitely "hip", trendy little place. I will say, one they had one of the best old fashioned I've had. They get five stars just on that. Really cool twist on a classic drink. read more

Retrograde - Speakeasies Near Me - Denver, Colorado