Such a bizarre place. River was on Westword's Top 50 Bars for 2025, so we decided to give it a try. It's eclectic and definitely has character. The "power hour" is the time to go for the best price. Prices are insane if you go anytime else-$16 vodka and soda?! They do have good ice though. Also, no fountains or guns for mixers- it's all bottled :) Bar tender was very nice as were the regulars. It's definitely worth a try if you're in the neighborhood. I have heard they are leaving to a new location, so make sure you check before attempting to go. read more

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One of the best bars I've been to in Denver. The Christmas decorations are phenomenal. The holiday martinis are SOOO good, I highly recommend the sugar cookie drink (or maybe it was gingerbread??). They have good deals on shots and beer. There back is cool to hangout as they have a couple pool tables and a stage for live music. The live music was a bit loud - so make sure you like the band that's playing. So glad I found this spot! read more

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Stopped in at River Bar because it made Westword's 2025 "Top 50 Bars in Denver Right Now" under the Neighborhood Bar Favorites category. Currently located in RiNo, the owners took advantage of the art district's creativity by opening the bar to muralists and musicians. Colorful graffiti and artwork adorn every wall space while music is played from speakers by DJs or a live band, depending on the day. Many different cocktails are offered. I went for a basic vodka soda. They do offer a discount for a double, although the price for a single and a double came out to $30.57, which seemed pretty high. Unfortunately, we weren't there for their Power Hour or Karaoke Night Specials with $5 cocktails. Their shot selection is reasonable. We had orange creamsicle Jell-O shots for $3. Our bartender was very friendly and welcoming. I did notice on their website a note, "We are moving soon," so double-check the website or social media before visiting. read more

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Love this place, always has great basement party type of vibes. Watch out for the security guard with the long hair though. He's rude and creepy, and he gropes my friend every time we go here. read more

River - Billiards table and main room - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Morgan was so kind and attentive will come back for sure :) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I get older, I realize that I like the vibe of a dive bar more than an actual dive bar. We came to River at 1pm on a Saturday, and that realization hit me full force. They obviously weren't quite ready for customers, as they didn't have the full menu ready, and the owner was snoring on a couch near the entrance. I enjoyed the wet dream, a freshly juiced watermelon, coconut water, rum mixture with tajin on the rim, although my husband was less impressed. At $13, it was not dive bar prices. The bartender was very sweet and friendly. The decor could have been interesting with all the art and the vintage furniture, but it all was a little sticky and the furniture needed to be re-sprung. read more

The Spring Fling Mojito was good but the waitress in the black jumper charged me $21 for a $15 Mojito. read more

River - $21 for a Spring Fling Mojito??? - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Bartenders are extremely rude they think they're something special the place is old looking and ran down the bathroom is absolutely disgusting they need to be shut down. If staff wasn't so rude I might have been able to get past the smell. read more

I was a this bar for the first time to support a dear friend of mine who was performing this evening. We had ordered two drinks and they were well mixed and delivered as promised. I made a wing order and paid around $21+ for the food and tip, the bartender asked me for my phone number to text me when the food was ready. I told her and noticed she was writing it down incorrectly, so I politely reaffirmed that the number was different. The bartender placed my order and I sat back down to enjoy my drink. After about 20 minutes I was checking my phone for a message regarding the food, but had received nothing. I looked at the "food window," and saw a basket of food sitting there. I waited another 10 -15 minutes and had not received a text message or a notice from the kitchen or bartender. So I kept track of the basket of food at the window and checked periodically to see if it was someone else's order. I never saw the basket of food get removed from the window after another 10-15 minutes, so I was curious if it was my food order and approached the bartender to inquire about my food order. The bartender was immediately defensive and pointed to the basket of wings and sides that had been sitting in the food window for at least 15-20 minutes, and stated that they texted me and that I must have told them the wrong number. She also went on further to say that it "wasn't her problem, and that I needed to talk to the kitchen." I walked over to the food window at the kitchen and did not immediately see anyone in it. After around 3-4 minutes an older woman came out from the back entrance of the kitchen. As she walked towards the window I told her that I had not received a text for my food and that the food I ordered was cold and would need to be remade, before I was finished explaining the situation, the bartender yelled towards her that I had given her the wrong phone number. I pulled out my phone and showed the manager/owner that I had indeed not received a text message from them. The manager or owner, was extremely hostile and aggressive from the get go and instantly got defensive when I asked that the food be remade and that it had sat there for at least 15-20 minutes. She mentioned that that she had said at the beginning of our conversation, while the bartender was yelling over our convo, that she would remake the food but that I was "being rude." Because of this she said that she didn't have to do anything, I am a bit fuzzy on what she said at this point because the live music was loud, and I was frustrated by the reaction to the whole ordeal. I told her that I would just dispute the charge and that they didn't need to worry about the situation and walked back towards my friend and wife. The manager or owner, followed me over to my wife where I told her and my friend that I was leaving because the River Bar staff were extremely hostile and disrespectful. The "owner" started saying that I needed to "leave the bar immediately." I replied that I was doing exactly just that and we walked out after chatting with my friend who is performing tonight. I just want to say that I was not hostile, rude, or aggressive when I approached the bartender or kitchen about my food. I was merely inquiring about my order to make sure there was not a mistake made. Instead, I was immediately blamed by not only the bartender, but also the "owner" who made me feel extremely unwelcome. I am not a regular here, it was my first time. However, I will NEVER recommend this place or support this owner if this is how she treated paying customers and the supporters of the local artists that bring in revenue streams for her business. I find it odd that neither the bartender or the owner sought to verify my phone number prior to the hostility and accusations. Perhaps the "owner" of the bar was having a bad night, perhaps she misunderstood me, perhaps there was an honest mistake made with the texting order notification. Either way, her handling of the situation was unacceptable and I did not deserve the treatment. read more

This is an eclectic space that feels like a basement party. Couches, graffiti, and a big backyard area. The art is really cool. The drinks were ok. read more

Kourisa is amazing. I'm a huge customer service guy and this place made me feel at home, instantly! read more

River - a neon sign above a wooden table - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Russel gave us a very watery drink. The concoction was not cocked. Not locked and loaded. Two shots and a Red Bull that had ice.

Had an absolute blast here! There was a live band doing karaoke on stage. The drinks were great, there was also a little side room where people could play old N64 games. I'll be back regularly! read more

Quite literally the coolest place I've ever been. Booze aNd boba?? Yes please! Woman owned and operated, all of the staff were super nice and welcoming. The atmosphere is super artsy and eclectic with graffiti and local art covering the wall. The owner was telling my group about how they do second Saturday art walks as well as an assortment of live music nights, poetry slams, and other really cool events. I will definitely be coming back here! read more

River - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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