Run for the Roses Denver is an underground cocktail lounge hidden inside Dairy Block, …and it was one of the most fun and relaxing stops of our Denver trip.
It has the whole speakeasy feel without making you solve a riddle, knock three times, and question your life choices just to get inside.
If you are looking for a Denver speakeasy with creative cocktails, genuinely good mocktails, and a fun entrance that is still easy to figure out, Run for the Roses is a great option. It also made my list of Best Cocktail and Mocktail Bars in Denver Colorado.
Run for the Roses is located inside Denver’s Dairy Block, but the entrance is actually pretty easy to find once you know what you are looking for.
From Dairy Block, follow the little rose markers toward the sign that says “Cocktails.”
That takes you into a darker hallway that immediately starts to feel a little secretive.
At the end, you check in with the host through what is basically an old-fashioned enclosed host booth/window before they take you to your table. That little entrance setup definitely adds to the experience.
If you are staying at The Maven, this is especially convenient because the hotel is right in Dairy Block. You can read my The Maven Hotel Denver Review: What to Expect if you are deciding where to stay.
You can also compare current Denver hotel rates on Booking.com.
No. Run for the Roses is walk-in only and does not take reservations. Seating is first come, first served.
If this Denver speakeasy is high on your list, I would probably go a little earlier in the evening instead of waiting until peak cocktail-bar time.
That also makes it easy to work into a larger downtown Denver evening. If you are trying to plan everything around it, my A Weekend in Denver Colorado: The Perfect First-Time Itinerary gives you a full itinerary to work from.
One of the most interesting parts of Run for the Roses is the menu. Their classic cocktails are presented almost like a deck of cards, with different drinks representing different spirit styles and flavor profiles.
They also offer seasonal cocktails and higher-end reserve options made with rare or vintage spirits. Even if you are someone who normally stares at a cocktail menu and understands approximately 12% of it, the staff is really helpful.
Since we do not drink alcohol, we were especially interested in the zero-proof menu. And this is where Run for the Roses really impressed me.
They do not just have one sad mocktail buried at the bottom of the menu. They have an actual No & Low Proof section, plus the bartenders can make custom alcohol-free drinks.
We ordered:
The NA Negroni is made with non-alcoholic aperitivo, Pathfinder NA amaro, and red verjus.
It was bitter, balanced, and had that more grown-up cocktail flavor instead of tasting like juice in a fancy glass.
The LP Capital Punch is made with pineapple, pomegranate, ginger, citrus, and orange.
This one was brighter, fruitier, and very easy to drink.
We both loved our drinks.
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Yes. This is absolutely somewhere I would recommend even if you do not drink alcohol.
The mocktails felt intentional and creative, not like an afterthought. That alone made the experience much more fun for me because I could still order something interesting instead of another club soda with lime.
They also carry non-alcoholic beer and can make custom zero-proof drinks if nothing on the menu sounds right.
If you are specifically searching for Denver mocktails, Run for the Roses deserves to be on your list.
They do have a small snack menu, but this is definitely more of a cocktail lounge than a dinner stop. The menu included caviar service, shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, a snack plate with Marcona almonds, Manchego cheese and olives, and key lime pie.
So if you are hungry, I would eat before you go and treat the food here as something to snack on while you have a drink. I would use Run for the Roses more as a before-dinner or after-dinner stop rather than planning an entire meal here.
If you want to make a full evening out of it, my Best Dinner Restaurants for a Special Occasion in Denver has several dinner options you could pair with drinks here.
Outside food and drinks are not allowed.
One thing to know: a 22% gratuity is automatically added to every check, and according to the menu, 100% of that goes directly to the staff.
Run for the Roses has very cool, moody vibes. It is dark, stylish, and a little mysterious, but still relaxed enough that you do not feel like you need to dress up. I would describe it as romantic and fun with an upscale feel.
The whole space feels inspired by an old cocktail parlor, with darker colors, plush seating, vintage details, and just enough speakeasy energy to make it interesting. Because the lounge is completely underground, there is no patio.
The drinks are definitely on the pricey side. Most of the cocktails and mocktails are in that upscale cocktail-bar range, and some of the reserve cocktails get much more expensive.
But I do think you are paying partly for the drink and partly for the overall experience.
The service was excellent, the drinks were really good, and the atmosphere made it feel like more than just stopping somewhere for a beverage.
Run for the Roses is 21+, and every guest needs a valid ID.
There is no dress code, so you can come as you are.
The lounge is completely underground, so there is no patio.
Hours are generally Tuesday through Sunday from 5:00 PM to midnight, with Mondays closed.
And remember that Run for the Roses does not take reservations. Seating is first come, first served.
I think so, especially if you are already staying at The Maven or spending time around Dairy Block.
It feels special without being overly serious, the entrance is fun, the atmosphere is great, and the mocktail program was much better than I expected.
And since I do not drink and still really enjoyed it, I think that says a lot.
I would absolutely go back.
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For a bigger overview of what to see while you are in the city, start with Top Things to Do in Denver Colorado.
If you are flying into Denver, read my Denver Airport Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Denver International Airport before your trip.
You can compare flights to Denver through Skyscanner.
Compare Denver hotels and current rates through Hotels.com.
If you want to add a food-focused activity to your trip, my DIY Denver Food Tour: Best Places to Eat in Denver Colorado has more ideas for where to eat around the city.
You can also browse Denver activities through Viator or Get Your Guide.
If you have three days in the city, see The Perfect 3 Days in Denver Colorado for a longer itinerary.
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