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Visiting a friend in Denver was so much fun when she introduced me to Run For The Roses. I love speakeasys and this one is fire! We checked in and got a little cozy sofa so three of us could enjoy cocktails. Gregory was an exceptional server, bringing us a deck of cards that showed each cocktail. How fun! We enjoyed the Hanky Panky, a classic Mojito and a Forgotten Mist. The vibe was very chill and dark and intimate and cozy! Love this place! Will definitely return when visiting Denver again.
We had a great time at Run for the roses! Run for the roses is located near the alley of Blake street/Milk Market. We didn't have a reservation but we were able to get a seat quickly for a group of 4. Run for the roses had a holiday menu that we were ordered several drinks from. They were all very delicious and we also had snacks. The deviled eggs are yummy!!! The service was top notch!! Definitely one to check out with friends! Yes, pricey, but all drinks are these days.
Went back a second time! My favorite part was honestly just getting there. It really helps if someone in your group has been before, because for your first time it can be a little confusing. It's tucked into the Milk Market alley, up some stairs, halfway through a kitchen, then down an elevator. But that's kind of the fun of it. It feels like a little scavenger hunt. Once inside, the experience is super cool. They give you a deck of cards to choose your cocktail from, all organized by alcohol like tequila, gin, whiskey, etc. That part alone is such a fun concept. The only thing that's a bit mid is the actual drinks themselves. The experience is so unique that it almost feels like they're hoping you forget the drinks aren't anything spectacular. It's definitely a cool bar if you're trying to impress someone, just don't expect mind blowing cocktails. Prices vary quite a bit too. Some cocktails are around $14, others go up to $25ish, with most sitting around $18. We ordered a margarita and a White Lady, and with tip it ended up being over $50. So take that how you will.
Really cool place!! Good cocktails, great vibes. Loved the menus being on decks of cards too.
We went on a speakeasy field trip. This one is located in the basement at the Dairy block near the foodhall. We went through the alley way, to the back door, then down the hallway to the elevator. Just follow the sign of roses. Once you get downstairs follow the roses and you'll come to the door. There's a guy checking for ID. This bar is nice, the theme is black, white, and red. Whatever color the roses can come in. Velvet and vintage furniture and rap music filled the air. Craft drinks offered at this bar.
Very awesome bar with a nice and wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages - the Southside and Paloma are excellent, the Negroni is more of an acquired taste and very bitter/sour - they also have playing cards with the drinks on them. Service also on-point. Interior vibe very cool and speakeasy-ish. Highly recommended and check it out if you are in Denver! Went here with my students when we attended NAPABA.
One of the more well-known speakeasys in Denver, Run for the Roses is a playful bar underneath the Milk Market block in downtown. Signs start outside and mark the entire way, making it easy to find. I highly recommend showing up earlier than you think, if you're not there at opening you're likely to be waiting in a line for a while since it's not a huge spot and there's no standing room. I've been here a few times, most recently for their Christmas pop up and enjoyed it yet again! It is a bit pricey for the amount of drink you get, but the eggnog (pictured as half glass) was the standout. I recommend adding this to your night out whenever you're near Union Station.
Just happened to pop in here on a whim with my BF and was NOT disappointed at all! They got us in super quick on a Saturday and gave fast and friendly service. Also the ambience, cool drink cards and drinks were amazing! Definitely one of the best speakeasies I've been to in Denver!
Not completely hidden but hidden enough to be called a speakeasy here. There are signs in the alley that will lead you to the entrance. On a Sunday night, it wasn't too crowded and we were able to get in right away. I liked the creativity of their menu, with interesting drinks but they also had playing cards with classic cocktails on them. Their drinks were affordable but they also had some veryyy high end expensive drinks if you're looking to splurge. Forgot the name of my drink but it had masala spices and was like a tiki drink. It was kind of like an Indian pina colada to me! Cute space, good service, will be back!
Absolute best mocktail/ non-alcoholic cocktail I've had in my entire life! Our server was friendly and very attentive. We had waters along with our drinks. Delicious drink, very enjoyable. Highly recommend. Low light room, mildly quiet with a few groups attending around 6PM on a Saturday night.
Definitely had fun here. I recommend getting your name on the list rather than waiting in line. The drinks we had were great. The service was good but bartender had major halitosis for all the talking he was doing. Cool ambience as well. Recommended
Real deal speakeasy vibes in the middle of milk market area! We went in the unsuspecting door and down the elevator to the basement where we were greeted by a private entrance with a doorman taking names. We waited about 30 min around the corner at another bar and came back once we received a text that our table was ready. The cocktail menu is interesting, they have a craft cocktail list and also give you an entire deck of cards with a different drink on each, more traditional cocktails. I wanted a mezcal drink and our server improvised on mine, so i didn't order from the menu but it was delicious. The deviled eggs were delicious, Music was nice and the seating was comfy. I'll definitely come back
5 months ago
I'm a big fan of speakeasy vibes and absolutely love this bar! Located in the basement of the Dairy Block, just getting to the bar is an interesting experience. Once you get to the front door, they'll check your ID before letting you in, just to make sure there's enough seating to accompany your party. They also charge automatic gratuity if the party is larger than 6, I believe. The interior design is awesome with lots of cozy seats, fitting all party sizes. It's a great place to meet up with friends, while still providing a moody atmosphere if you want to bring someone on a date. The bartenders are pretty friendly and very knowledgeable. They have both a paper menu which has their latest concoctions, as well as their standard menu (ask for the deck of cards). My friends and I (4 of us total) came on a Friday night and it had a good amount of people without feeling too cramped. We ordered a wide variety of drinks, starting with a round of espresso martinis (which I would highly recommend). We had a few more rounds with each of us ordering separately. One of my friends asked our bartender for a suggestion and she really enjoyed her drink. However, my other friend got a suggested drink and did not like it at all. The bartender was kind enough to swap out his drink, which our group definitely appreciated. I'm definitely coming back and bringing any of my visitors who can appreciate a good cocktail. read more
Chill vibes and good energy! The service was great. The snapdragon was delicious, it was my second time having it. Also got the rhapsody in orange. I'd say the snapdragon was my favorite! Tasted smooth with hints of floral and citrus! read more
Visiting a friend in Denver was so much fun when she introduced me to Run For The Roses. I love speakeasys and this one is fire! We checked in and got a little cozy sofa so three of us could enjoy cocktails. Gregory was an exceptional server, bringing us a deck of cards that showed each cocktail. How fun! We enjoyed the Hanky Panky, a classic Mojito and a Forgotten Mist. The vibe was very chill and dark and intimate and cozy! Love this place! Will definitely return when visiting Denver again. read more
We had a great time at Run for the roses! Run for the roses is located near the alley of Blake street/Milk Market. We didn't have a reservation but we were able to get a seat quickly for a group of 4. Run for the roses had a holiday menu that we were ordered several drinks from. They were all very delicious and we also had snacks. The deviled eggs are yummy!!! The service was top notch!! Definitely one to check out with friends! Yes, pricey, but all drinks are these days. read more
Went back a second time! My favorite part was honestly just getting there. It really helps if someone in your group has been before, because for your first time it can be a little confusing. It's tucked into the Milk Market alley, up some stairs, halfway through a kitchen, then down an elevator. But that's kind of the fun of it. It feels like a little scavenger hunt. Once inside, the experience is super cool. They give you a deck of cards to choose your cocktail from, all organized by alcohol like tequila, gin, whiskey, etc. That part alone is such a fun concept. The only thing that's a bit mid is the actual drinks themselves. The experience is so unique that it almost feels like they're hoping you forget the drinks aren't anything spectacular. It's definitely a cool bar if you're trying to impress someone, just don't expect mind blowing cocktails. Prices vary quite a bit too. Some cocktails are around $14, others go up to $25ish, with most sitting around $18. We ordered a margarita and a White Lady, and with tip it ended up being over $50. So take that how you will. read more
2 months ago
Really cool place!! Good cocktails, great vibes. Loved the menus being on decks of cards too. read more
We went on a speakeasy field trip. This one is located in the basement at the Dairy block near the foodhall. We went through the alley way, to the back door, then down the hallway to the elevator. Just follow the sign of roses. Once you get downstairs follow the roses and you'll come to the door. There's a guy checking for ID. This bar is nice, the theme is black, white, and red. Whatever color the roses can come in. Velvet and vintage furniture and rap music filled the air. Craft drinks offered at this bar. read more
Very awesome bar with a nice and wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages - the Southside and Paloma are excellent, the Negroni is more of an acquired taste and very bitter/sour - they also have playing cards with the drinks on them. Service also on-point. Interior vibe very cool and speakeasy-ish. Highly recommended and check it out if you are in Denver! Went here with my students when we attended NAPABA. read more
9 months ago
One of the more well-known speakeasys in Denver, Run for the Roses is a playful bar underneath the Milk Market block in downtown. Signs start outside and mark the entire way, making it easy to find. I highly recommend showing up earlier than you think, if you're not there at opening you're likely to be waiting in a line for a while since it's not a huge spot and there's no standing room. I've been here a few times, most recently for their Christmas pop up and enjoyed it yet again! It is a bit pricey for the amount of drink you get, but the eggnog (pictured as half glass) was the standout. I recommend adding this to your night out whenever you're near Union Station. read more
Just happened to pop in here on a whim with my BF and was NOT disappointed at all! They got us in super quick on a Saturday and gave fast and friendly service. Also the ambience, cool drink cards and drinks were amazing! Definitely one of the best speakeasies I've been to in Denver! read more
1 year ago
Not completely hidden but hidden enough to be called a speakeasy here. There are signs in the alley that will lead you to the entrance. On a Sunday night, it wasn't too crowded and we were able to get in right away. I liked the creativity of their menu, with interesting drinks but they also had playing cards with classic cocktails on them. Their drinks were affordable but they also had some veryyy high end expensive drinks if you're looking to splurge. Forgot the name of my drink but it had masala spices and was like a tiki drink. It was kind of like an Indian pina colada to me! Cute space, good service, will be back! read more
Absolute best mocktail/ non-alcoholic cocktail I've had in my entire life! Our server was friendly and very attentive. We had waters along with our drinks. Delicious drink, very enjoyable. Highly recommend. Low light room, mildly quiet with a few groups attending around 6PM on a Saturday night. read more
9 months ago
Definitely had fun here. I recommend getting your name on the list rather than waiting in line. The drinks we had were great. The service was good but bartender had major halitosis for all the talking he was doing. Cool ambience as well. Recommended read more
Real deal speakeasy vibes in the middle of milk market area! We went in the unsuspecting door and down the elevator to the basement where we were greeted by a private entrance with a doorman taking names. We waited about 30 min around the corner at another bar and came back once we received a text that our table was ready. The cocktail menu is interesting, they have a craft cocktail list and also give you an entire deck of cards with a different drink on each, more traditional cocktails. I wanted a mezcal drink and our server improvised on mine, so i didn't order from the menu but it was delicious. The deviled eggs were delicious, Music was nice and the seating was comfy. I'll definitely come back read more
4 months ago
Service was on point. Also server was excellent while giving drink recommendations! If your not sure what to get ask the server they are very knowledgeable regarding drink selections. read more
Decent, but cool to check out a speakeasy. There was a bit of a wait, interesting from the outside. Wait was a bit probably because we had a group. Service was helpful but rarely came by, water non existent. We decided on a number of drinks using the cards that they brought out. Seating seemed pretty sporadic depending on what size group you have. Few tables, more chairs. Pairs would probably work better than what we had. The drinks were decent overall and the inconsistency of being able to order broke things up too much. Cool to check out, probably better as a pair or at the bar since it'd be nice to see the magic happen in a speakeasy. read more
5 months ago
Run for the Roses reminds me of an old-school speakeasy with amazing drinks and a secret location. Literally it's underground. It's been around for about five years and is a play to the Kentucky Derby. This being my first visit, I thought it would be a menu of Kentucky bourbon drinks. Boy, I was wrong. After checking IDs, we were inside and seated at some comfy chairs and sofas. It's almost like you're drinking in a small living room. Awesome music played in the background throughout the night. Leeroy was our server and introduced us to how the place works. They give you a small menu with drink offerings on the front and back. But the real fun starts when you open a deck of playing cards and discover 52 more drinks to order, many with unique/rare liquors. We'd give five stars to each of these drinks our group of six tasted: Last Word, 2 Count Turf, Vasper, Sidecar, Vieux Carre, El Diablo Like many Denver restaurants, our tab included a 2% Dairy Block fee and 22% Service Charge. read more
2 years ago
Everyone loves the appeal of a speakeasy. Hell, even I was drawn to the appeal of going to a speakeasy. But what am I paying for? Expect (New York) prices when you're coming to this bar. It's cute. It's rather spacious, which is kind of nice and all of the different couches and chairs are kind of fun. It's a choose your own adventure when you're choosing where to sit. Your menu is a deck of cards. Each number is its own spirit and cocktails that go with that spirit. The cocktail was good, but it wasn't $20 good. So you're paying for the trendiness of it all. Don't get me wrong, I love boujee, nice, expensive environments to wine and dine in. But if alcohol is all you serve, and the staff isn't in a suit or some kind of uniform, I don't know how you can justify the prices. I think Denver can do a lot better. read more
Run for the Roses is a speakeasy below the Dairy Block with the theme of the Kentucky Derby since its namesake is based on the winning horse being draped in roses. Just like the race, there were some winners and losers: Winners: * Decor is exceptional with nice details such as the betting window when you first check-in * Deck of cards with drink options based on spirit, booziness, and type of cocktail * Excellent cocktails (bartenders are top notch and know what they are doing) Losers: * Seating options (especially when you have to sit next to a larger group that partook in too many Kentucky Derby Festivities and felt the rest of us needed to hear their conversation) * Our drink order was delayed because our waiter said, "Our cocktail order was lost." We would have stayed longer but decided to pass on another cocktail due to the company in the starting gate next to us. Run for the Roses does not take reservations so we were lucky to get in right away. read more
Who doesn't like to go looking for hidden bars? this one is pretty easy to find in the Dairy block as there are literal roses on the floor leading you to it! There are a lot of fun little touches included, like playing card drink menus and the horse racing theme throughout the bar. Staff is very attentive and they have so many cocktails to choose from. While the setting and furnishings are nice, it can be fairly loud and hard to hear. We were sat on a couple of cute plush chairs but had to perch on the ends to hear each other. The bathrooms are located in the hallway outside the bar and you have to ask staff for the code to unlock them - but they were very clean so I'm guessing the locks help! Overall, a fun place to try if you're on a bar hopping adventure. read more
Run for the Roses was recommended by a bartender friend of ours as the best bar in Denver and even with the bar set high, we agreed that it was indeed a top notch bar and lived up to the hype. It's easier to get in as a small party than a large party. We were immediately seated at 830pm on a Saturday as a party of two. The staff were friendly and attentive. There are 52+ drinks to choose from including the seasonal a and the deck of cards. Once you order, you can keep the deck to play card games at the table. Both of our drinks were presented well and were very tasty. TLDR; creative bar setting and menu, the deck of cards at the table are a nice touch. Great for a date night. Expect to wait if you have a large party. read more
4 months ago
2 years ago
When the first pow pow came down in Colorado I knew I had to take my exploration South. I knew getting into @rftrbar had the potential to take hours, but I had to think. I absolutely love living in Vegas but I knew in my heart if I never explored a solid red unapologetically conservative state and compared it against Sin City I would regret it. I already checked out Florida and the biblical weather patterns plus pretentious materialism left a very bad taste in my mouth. To my Boulder crew in the know, I know part of this was limited by my brief experience, and I still have Ultra on my bucket list. Sitting smashing bourbon like water I thought to myself, there's nothing wrong with never settling for anything but the best. That I'm ok with one of my strongest core principles, I've always lived life on my terms. No parent, no family member, no partner has limited me. I've been blessed to travel and explore like I have and I'm forever grateful. I thank God every day. If you come through Colorado you have to try this bar. It's super unique, they can make anything you desire, and the sexy ambiance will make your date very happy. read more
It's a fun novelty, and I like the decor. The seats were super uncomfortable and small. They felt oddly far away from each other. Our neighbors were playing a game with card deck drink menu, which was a fun idea. Service was friendly and patient when we didn't know what we wanted. Drink reviews Widows kiss- good, very liquor forward with a cinnamon bite. Joel joked you could spit fire after this one The national- sweeter citrusy with a thick foam on top. Favorite and only drink I would return for. Last word- bitter, off flavor. Like a pine tree? Smells worse than it tastes, oddly. Algonquin- 3rd choice, not a huge fan Twelve miles out- very liquor forward, off ear wax flavor Wallbanger- like orange bubblegum? Old fashioned orange bubblegum. Second to the national Overall, I just don't think it's for me. But it was fun to go to before Chicago to fit the 1920s theme. read more
10 months ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Stopped in for last call and had some tasty beverages. Cute place to hit on a bar tour. Staff were friendly and place had good vibes. read more
Run for the Roses is such a vibe and also a surprisingly affordable place for what feels very high scale. Every time I have been there, the cocktails I drank were clearly made with intent and thought out well. I normally only have a few cocktails I like at bars and speakeasys but every one I had there was a hit! If you are on a date or have friends you want to impress, I highly recommend taking them to Run for the Roses. read more
A speakeasy vibe!! A true highlight when my sisters came to town was going to this speakeasy in the Dairy Block area in downtown Denver / LoDo. We had so much fun here with the card game and deciding what drinks we want. The staff were so friendly and informative and attentive to everything. The environment was overall so fun, inviting, & vibey. All three of us loved everything about it and will be coming back. Highly recommend this speakeasy! read more
Great experience. Drinks were creative yet awesome (sometimes creative doesn't equal awesome). Ambiance was brighter than a typical speakeasy which we appreciated. Bartenders super professional so a touch of style. Breakfast sandwich was amazing with some spice so be careful. I'd recommend. read more
Run for the Roses is a fun speakeasy with a unique menu. It's a deck of cards! One card breaks down the drinks by liquor type and the following cards detail what each drink consists of. On top of that, there are seasonal drinks and food. The drinks are well made. I came here right when they opened since they don't accept reservations. The area is spacious and well decorated. Service was attentive. read more
1 year ago
Super cute and quaint spot that we visited for date night in Denver. One of my boyfriend's friends suggested we come here and we had so much fun. They have an interesting and fun way of presenting the drinks (a deck of cards) and you go by which spirit you'd like to have. They have drink which can be shared as well as regular size drinks. For our first round I went with the Manhattan and my boyfriend had the old fashioned. Both drinks were good although I enjoyed the old fashioned more. For the second round I had the Loftus and my boyfriend had the Mickie Walker, on this round the loftus won. Such a fun experience and great drinks. The place doesn't take parties over 6 people and it's first come first serve (unless you're having a private event). read more
I love the concept of this place - it's so fun to pick out drinks from a deck. The vibe is cozy and warm and we got seated pretty soon after checking in. I ended up getting the Brandy Crusta which was I believe classified as one of the "fruity drinks". It was a bit strong for me but I loved the presentation and the atmosphere. read more
10 months ago
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More info about Run For The Roses
1801 Blake St
Ste 10
Denver, CO 80202
Lodo, Northwest
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(720) 573-9155
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http://rftrbar.com
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