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    Thirsty Lion

    3.6 (949 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 11:00 pm

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    THIRSTY LION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Loud
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Thirsty Lion

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    Rosemary G&T - watch out for this one: It has simple syrup and is very sweet.
    Sean K.

    Friendly bar tender. Decent drink specials. This might be unfair, but I am giving this location an average rating as the ambiance is killed by a stiflingly non-inclusive homogeneous group of clientele. Can't say that I felt comfortable here. Very likely a fun spot for those who are regulars. I can't say this bar is anything special, but it is big.

    Cauliflower wings
    David C.

    My company hosted a few happy hour networking events here and were generally satisfied. If anyone reading this is thinking of doing the same thing, I would recommend it but they do not have private rooms just FYI. The location really can't be beat. It's in the heart of downtown steps away from Union Station. Again, great for getting people to come to your networking event. The food and drinks are all really tasty and well made. Prices during happy hour are very reasonable and selection during that time is also good with plenty to choose from. To complement the food and drinks, service has always been perfect. Huge kudos to the bartender that helped me the last time I was there. I would come back just to get served by her again. The one downfall I would say about Thirsty Lion is that the appointment booking process was very difficult and convoluted with different people saying different things.

    Gochujang BBQ Pork and Kimchi Fried Rice
    Ian N.

    Gochujang BBQ Pork and Kimchi Fried Rice (3/5): The fried rice part was good (although the kimchi was very mild) but it was a weird dish because the pork tasted like American style bbq burnt ends. I didn't like the sauce at all. I did appreciate the kitchen being willing to split the dish and plate it separately (for a very small upcharge). RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

    Blackened ribeye
    Hiilei W.

    The service was really nice and apologetic because it was a busy night. Food did take a long time so I'm happy we didn't go hungry because that wouldn't have been good. Some of us liked our food, some of us didn't. I shared the ribeye and it was not good, one of the worse steaks I've had. It was thin, overcooked, and not fatty for a ribeye. Ambiance we loved because it was playing all the football games. Thirsty lion as a chain is mid in my opinion.

    Bourbon old fashioned and raspberry drop martini
    Di P.

    We decided to eat and drink here while waiting for our bus to leave for Red Rocks. We sat at the bar, and were greeted immediately by our bartender who let us know it was happy hour. Definitely recommend: raspberry drop martini, deep fried cheese curds and bacon wrapped shrimp. We didn't have room for dessert so we'll have to stop back next time we're in Denver - super easy, as it's right next to Union Station.

    Beer Battered Fish and Chips
    Arjun P.

    I loved this spot! Right next to the union station, Thirsty lion was alive and bustling on St Patrick's day! They had an amazing menu for St. Patrick's day and we ended up having some great food. The music and ambiance was also top notch. Also hats off to the staff who worked hard to keep the liveliness of the place! Our waiter was also kind enough to provide a piece of grilled chicken for our pup!

    Stewart L.

    My wife Marci and I dropped into Thirsty Lion not really knowing what to expect, but we walked out full and happy. I had the cheeseburger--it was pretty damn good, I must say. Marci went for the cheese curds and the fish, London-style. Crunchy, flaky, and fried just right. But the real standout? Chanterelle. She was the kind of server who doesn't just bring your food--she brings the vibe. Attentive without hovering, friendly without being fake. She made us feel welcome from the jump. We'll definitely be back. Might even make it our regular spot.

    Raspberry martini
    Isabelle B.

    Food was delicious!! Fish was juicy on the inside, crunchy on the out! Fries were okay. Coleslaw was amazing! I'm very picky when it comes to coleslaw but this one has red peppers in it & it was just lovely! My mother loved the pear martini & Reuben sandwich. Boyfriend loved the bacon burger, bacon was caramel glaze! Brother didn't enjoy the cesar salad cuz he hates spinach so they took it off the bill! Service was fast, multiple refills, lovely brown & grey ambience. Definitely would recommend for lunch!!

    Flatbread seasonal menu
    Shanoah N.

    This place was an upscale bar food. Just came for happy hour for a few drinks and an appetizer. Good was well made and drinks were stiff.

    Raspberry drop, old fashioned
    Karla G.

    UPDATED REVIEW WITH PHOTOS :) Great restaurant. They had an extensive menu for happy hour food & also had good drink options. If you're coming for happy hour - I recommend the crispy cauliflower (the sauce it came with was so yummy), ahi poke stack, & the raspberry drop martini.

    Shrimp tacos!
    Masha Z.

    Over the years I have been coming here and every time I'm blown away! Next to Union station his places is always busy BUT it never lacks quality of good food. Everything is seasoned just right. I really enjoy the seasonal menu as well as my recent discovery of Brunch weekend menu. Step a side other breakfast places and HELLO THIRSTY LION! I can't wait to bring back some family and friends for another amazing dinning experience. The staff is knowledgeable of all the ingredients so it's a great place to go if you have restrictions. The ambiance is definitely business casual dinning with a large bar in the middle and small booths off to the side. Go ahead and bring a date here you will not be disappointed

    Ahi poke stack
    Laura M.

    It has been ages since we have stopped in here for food, and I have to say, was pleasantly surprised by how good the food was. It is conveniently located right by Union Station, and there is plenty of seating both inside, and outside (we opted for outside). We sat at a high top table next to the building, with a great view of Union Station, and the fountains. Our server came over right away, and took our drink orders while we perused the menu. I started with a cucumber rosemary gin and tonic - which was refreshing and delicious. For food, we ordered a bunch of appetizers and split them. We had the beer battered cheese curds - fried in tempura batter (light/not overly greasy), served with a sriracha aioli and jalapeno jam. The bacon wrapped bbq prawns (comes with a pile of sticky rice), were so flavorful. The tuna sushi role was also very good. The ahi poke stack was really good, with generous portions of rice, ahi, and avocado. The only downside to this dish was the wontons - they were sort of crunchy, but almost soggy at the same time - almost as though they weren't freshly prepared and were re-warmed up. Overall, very happy with our meal, beverages, and experience. We will be back to explore more of the menu!

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    8 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    28 days ago

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    2 months ago

    The food was great I got the orange chicken . The server was great and definitely helped with recommendations. Well definitely be back

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    15 days ago

    Whitney was the best server!!! She make our experiencing so much fun! Love this place

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    Page 1 of 24

    Thirsty Lion Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Thirsty Lion

    How is the dining situation currently? Indoor? Outdoor?

    Linsey, we currently have patio seating and tent seating! The tent is heated and super fun in the plaza. Still maintained social distancing and sanitation to keep our staff and guests safe. Unfortunately we are not taking reservations with the… Read more

    Looking for a place to watch soccer, will you be showing Colombia vs Uruguay world cup qualifier?

    There are a few places you could try along Colfax, The DNVR Bar, The British Bulldog...a few others.

    Possibly need to hang at The Thirsty Lion for a a couple of hours Monday evening. Will they be OK with that?

    Absolutely! Sit at the bar and ask for an order of Scotch Eggs and a beer recommendation!… Read more

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    Bedlam - Seasonal cocktails

    Bedlam

    4.7(30 reviews)
    0.1 miLodo, Northwest

    If you enjoy bars with a European flair, feels like your are sitting in a living room, and offers…read moregood strong cocktails with snacks, Bedlam is the bar for you. Bedlam was recommended to us for late night drinks by staff working in one of the restaurants at our hotel. During our short stay in Denver, we went to Bedlam twice. The first time was around 11:30 on a Thursday night. We had a few cocktails along with a cheese and charcuterie plate. The second time was around 12:30 on a Saturday night when we came in for a night cap. The first time we came in, it wasn't too busy, and we were encouraged to sit wherever we wanted. The bar was full so we chose a small table. Our server gave us menus, though specials were written on a chalkboard above the bar. We each tired a couple of cocktails and had a shot called the Master Shot. We also chose the make-your-own charcuterie board. Our favorite drink was the Woo Girl, which allowed us to choose our spirit of choice. I chose gin and my friend chose tequila. When we returned a couple of nights later, we knew already we were going to order the Woo Girl cocktail. It was packed on a Saturday night, but there was a small table in back where they seated us. This bar is more for spending time with the friends you come with, rather than mingling, as staff seats you at a table. It doesn't seem like they offer standing room or just squeezing in, though maybe we just didn't experience that. That said, all in all, I really enjoyed Bedlam and recommend it to anyone going to Denver.

    Great cocktail bar with a few unique menu items…read more Came in on a trivia night and staff was nice albeit a bit slow. My friends and I tried a number of the signature cocktails and had a few hot toddys that were super good. I'm personally a big gin and soda fan and loved ther housemade tonic that was in their classic G&T. Did not try any of the food but the dawgs were definitely would be tempting if I was hungry. Loved the decor and the plants all up in the space. The space is a bit more dimly lit and I think of a reasonable volume for a date. Would love to come back and spend some more time here.

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    Bedlam - Fun gin spritz

    Fun gin spritz

    Bedlam - This view!

    This view!

    Bedlam - Bathroom sinks

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    Bathroom sinks

    The Devil's Drink - All black everything

    The Devil's Drink

    4.4(41 reviews)
    0.5 miNorthwest, Highland

    Loved the vibe here!! Very Halloween and on brand. From the…read moremoment you walk in, you feel immersed in the theme. It's discreetly marked on the street too, so not a place tourists will just walk by and pop into. The drinks were all so unique and craft, i had the "don't text your ex" and it was delicious!! I wanted to try an espresso martini from their extensive list but didn't have the chance - definitely a reason to come back. They have a good number of servers making their way around so we didn't have to wait long to order more food or ask for the check. We also had the deviled eggs as a little hold over for dinner - so yummy!! Prices are fair too, Definitely will be back.

    The Devil's Drink is an absolute must-visit destination in Denver. We had an incredible time and…read morecan't recommend this place enough! The entire experience was elevated by the amazing service from Kristi, who was attentive, friendly, and truly made our night special. The bar boasts a super fun goth vibe that's perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit, or just taking a well-deserved break from binging True Blood. While the aesthetic is a bit cleaner than the grungier charm of their previous location (as we've heard), it's still highly stylized with fun signage and great photo ops everywhere you look. Most importantly, the drinks were delicious. They clearly know how to mix a cocktail here. We highly encourage the "666 Shots"--they are fantastic and a perfect fit for the bar's theme! If you're looking for a fun night out with fantastic service and a dark, moody atmosphere, The Devil's Drink is the place. We'll be back soon!

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    The Devil's Drink - Espresso martinis

    Espresso martinis

    The Devil's Drink
    The Devil's Drink

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    Dearly Departed - Oysters

    Dearly Departed

    4.8(11 reviews)
    0.7 miNorthwest, Highland

    I visit Denver quite often and was on the hunt for a new spot to grab a drink before heading to the…read more13th Floor "Love Bites" attraction. That's when I came across Dearly Departed and I'm so glad I did. We arrived right when they opened at 5pm and were able to walk in and be seated immediately. The speakeasy is tucked into the underground portion of the restaurant, which adds to the charm. The space is beautifully decorated, moody, intimate, and effortlessly upscale. It truly sets the tone the moment you walk down. We ordered two spritzes and a charcuterie board, and both exceeded expectations. The drinks were refreshing, perfectly balanced, and felt elevated without being overcomplicated. But the real star was the charcuterie board. For $20, it was an incredible value, stacked with a variety of meats, cheeses, fresh veggies, nuts, and peppers. The freshly grilled bread was a standout touch, and the portions were more than generous. Every bite felt thoughtfully curated, and there was something new and delicious in every corner of the board. Between the ambiance, the quality of the drinks, and the impressive food, Dearly Departed delivered an experience that felt both cozy and refined. I'd absolutely recommend checking it out for the atmosphere alone. I'm already looking forward to going back and trying more from their menu.

    I am very torn about this review, especially considering all the other rave reviews…read more.. Love the ambiance and love the staff -- it's a really cool addition to the neighborhood. Cozy spot for some classy bites and cocktails. I think I probably got off on the wrong foot when I asked for sparkling water instead of flat and found out it was $7 per personal mini bottle (and they don't have club soda). My first time encountering that in Denver in the last 14 years... The cocktail concept is cool: pick a classic, slightly updated, or super creative version from 5 categories (martini, old fashioned, sour, spritz, highball). The spicy mango sour (with mezcal) was awesome -- although I expected egg white on a sour. The martinis were ok... a bit of a let-down in today's collection of Denver martinis at other local spots (think anchovy, sour cream and onion, holy trinity, and old bay). The food was also hit or miss. We loved the cauliflower/potato Bravas with the slightly spicy sauce, as well as the croquettes and their sauce. The tuna crudo was super bland, which is disappointing for $19.

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    Dearly Departed - Inside

    Inside

    Dearly Departed - Croquettes

    Croquettes

    Dearly Departed - Cocktails

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    Cocktails

    Welton Room - Geisha lips

    Welton Room

    4.5(346 reviews)
    1.1 miCurtis Park, Northwest

    This was such a perfect experience!! As soon as we walked in we were very impressed with the…read moreambience and decor. The vibe was perfect for pre dinner cocktails. We were greeted by a welcoming hostess with a great personality who explained the difference between their two bars and helped ensure we were in the right spot. From there, we were seated with Sam. She was happy to give us her recommendations for not just the drinks at the Welton room, but for brunch and other great spots in the area. I mentioned that I had dined at an amazing burger spot in town years earlier but couldn't remember the name, and she went to talk with the rest of the staff and was able to get the information for me! We ordered the Tiramisu Espresso Martini, the Carajillo, the clarified White Russian, the Island Egg Nog, and the B.A.N.A.N.A. Each one knocked it out of the park! We were blown away but the perfect balance of every drink. We were only there for pre dinner drinks but we could smell the food arriving at the neighboring tables and were very tempted to canceling our diner reservation. Overall blew our expectations away and we cannot wait to return!

    We went a few weeks ago for my birthday. The spot was definitely small. We had a reservation (which…read moreyou definitely need on like a weekend or busy time). A Wednesday 430pm - wasn't crowded. My husband told them it was my birthday before we arrived so they made me an ube martini. Purple and fantastic! I ordered the tiramisu, my husband got a classic espresso and my best friend got the Dubai chocolate. All of them were beautiful! I think my favorite was the Dubai chocolate. We also ordered appetizers of the burrata and the sweet potato croquette. Burrata is always fantastic! The croquettes were good. They were doing Star Wars themed drinks for May the 4th so Star Wars was playing in a screen (that you could barely see due to the sun). They both got the red velvet espresso martini topped with whipped coffee. It was cute but very sugary. Service was fantastic! The staff was so nice!! Maybe I'm just not used to inflation yet but the prices for everything just felt so expensive!!

    Photos
    Welton Room - Creating the Rose & Lychee espresso martini

    Creating the Rose & Lychee espresso martini

    Welton Room - Martin fight and tiramisu and hazelnut

    Martin fight and tiramisu and hazelnut

    Welton Room - Dirty Martini

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    Dirty Martini

    Room for Milly - Egg nog

    Room for Milly

    4.4(135 reviews)
    0.5 miNorthwest, Highland

    Haven't visited Room for Molly in a while and was lucky enough to return during their holiday…read morepop-up bar. Milly's is a cozy little bar that has been noted in Westword's 100 Bars in the past couple of years. I love a place with fantastic decor. I walk out of there wanting to go buy furniture and attempt the same style in my own home. It's very cute, quaint, and comfy. For the pop-up, the theme was Apres-Ski, which is trending heavily right now. The holiday design and decor was perfect for Milly. While they had a holiday drinks menu donned with mulled wine, buttered rums, and egg nog, which is what I ordered, the regular menu Milly offers was also available. This menu consists of several "throwback" cocktails from previous decades. You can't go wrong with a gimlet. Milly's is always busy but the servers are fantastic and are very knowledgeable about all their drinks and are happy to help with drink recommendations based on your preferences. If you're in the area, definitely get a reservation and head here for a drink or two. Milly will take great care of you!

    10/10 for Room for Milly! Guillermo is the best and all the drinks are amazing!…read more We stopped by Room for Milly and were pleasantly surprised! Our bartender, Guillermo provided the best recommendations for drinks and every single one of them were amazing! Get the Strawberry Margarita or the New York Sour! Couldn't recommend this spot enough! Also, for the holidays it is decorated to theme!

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    Room for Milly
    Room for Milly
    Room for Milly - Bar

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    Bar

    Thirsty Lion - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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