I Ain't Lion!! The Thirsty Lion is one of the newest editions to the Union Station area. It's conveniently located close to Coors Field (about a half a mile), so come before the game for some great food and drinks. Oh, did I mention that the servers are smokin' hot, too? Well....they are. This place is great! I was thoroughly impressed with the menu here. I went with a Caprese Chicken Sandwich (grilled chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, vine ripe tomato, spicy pepperoni, sweet pepper tapenade, garlic pesto aioli, arugula and olive oil on grilled ciabatta bread). That sucker was delicious! Better bring a bib for that one. It's juicy. The fries are hand cut and toothsome. An item that really surprised me was the Tuscan Kale Salad (currants & almonds, fresh tuscan kale, lemon shallot vinaigrette, zante currants and shaved asiago cheese). It was incredible. You like beer? You'll find it here. They have 52 beers on tap. If beer is not your thing, don't fret. The Thirsty Lion offers a full wine list, along with several cocktail options. Hey, I know this sounds sexist, but the gals here are hot! They are scantly clad, to say the least. You might think twice about bringing children here. Come on down and support this new restaurant in Denver. It's outstanding! I Ain't Lion!! read more

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Hosted a company happy hour here for a large party. Because we had a big group I had to call in to make a reservation versus doing it online. I wasn't sure they would be able to take us but I spoke to a hostess named Kate over the phone and she was very helpful. We split lots of yummy happy hour food like queso, spinach dip, pretzels, and sliders. Would definitely recommend for another Comcast group dinner! Thanks Thirsty! read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I came here on a whim around 4pm on a weeknight. It is a great location, right next to the union station and seemed to be very popular. They were able to seat us immediately in the outdoor space. The service was a little slow but we enjoyed people watching. We ordered calamari and wine, and I really enjoyed how flavorful the calamari was! It was not bland like other places and had a nice kick, along with the sauces they provided. I think the best part of Thirsty Lion is the convenience and location. They seem to be open when the other places near by aren't, and during covid when you are looking for a bite to eat outside, this is the perfect spot. I ended up coming back here the next day and the server told me they were booked, but I insisted that my name be added to their waiting list. Within a few minutes, I received an alert that my table was ready so I didn't understand why she told me they were booked and didn't offer to take my name until I kept asking her to put me on the list. read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

For a gastropub chain, this is one we regularly frequent especially when we have out of town guests who are finicky eaters. They have all sorts of dishes ranging from Korean to Italian to Japanese while staying close to the bar theme. My favorite non-pub type dish has to be the risotto, whether it's the Fall or Spring variation both are just as good, you won't be disappointed. As far as bar food goes, my boyfriend always gets the Spicy Fried Chicken Sliders and recommends it to all his friends. The Korean Fried Chicken seasoned with Korean spiced gochujang sauce accompanied with sticky rice was a recent menu addition I believe. Let's just say that was the star of the show and our party ordered a few rounds of it. Both dishes are on the daily Happy Hour menu which is a great way to try dishes you're not so sure about. And, yes you heard right when I said daily! To top off our recent experience the manager brought out a signed card and ice cream sundae to my boyfriend for his birthday (I may have mentioned his upcoming special day.) I was surprised that the staff took time to sign his card! All in all, our experience is always a pleasant one and we'll keep frequenting this gastropub as a result. read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Tons of great items on the menu. Great service. Warm pretzel for an app was yummy

3.5 stars. Been here a couple of times on work trips. This is a large and lively sports-friendly restaurant. The British sounding name is a bit misleading. And it's certainly not a gastro pub. The booths, bar high tables, high ceilings, and attractive waitresses are straight from the American restaurant playbook. The menu has something for everyone..including a couple of vegetarian-friendly dishes. I've had a pretty healthy pan-fried chicken and vegetable dish which was ok, just average. The fish & chips was recommended as one of the faster dishes (unlike the pizza) which looked good, but the fish was fairly bland despite throwing on lemon juice and tartare sauce; the fries were the skinny kind which aren't my favorite. I've not tried the desserts. I probably wont come back in a hurry until I've tried a few other restaurants nearby. read more

Thirsty Lion - Specialities: Chicken and veg $15 - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I got the kimchi fried rice and it was pretty good - wasn't sure when I ordered it, but thought I'd leave a review for the rest of you guys. Flavor was great - authentic flavor. Texture was great on the rice side. There actually was a surprising amount of meat that I wasn't expecting. Bbq pork? Big pieces. Some where a bit dry and crunchy, which I was not expecting, but overall okay. read more

The food LOOKS good... it just don't taste like much. I give the kitchen staff credit for making the dishes look like the pics. They could use some further training, though. The service ain't bad, but the place could do better, given its location. read more

We had the fish and chips, scotch eggs, falafel wrap, and a side order of the beer fondue for my fries. Everything was fantastic. The fish was cooked perfectly and was wonderfully crunchy. The beer fondue and the sweet mustard sauce are really delicious when paired with the fries. The scotch eggs were great, a bit messy but delicious. My husband really enjoyed the falafel wrap. My only complaint was that the restaurant was very warm and stuffy. It was a bit hot outside so we chose to eat indoors to avoid the sun, but it was stuffy enough that I wish we had chosen to eat outside. One side of the restaurant is significantly warmer than the other, so, keep that in mind. read more

Thirsty Lion - Fish and chips with Napa slaw, beer fondue (requested), ketchup, and lemon caper tarter sauce. Colorado sampler beer flight in background. - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Had heard good things about the Thirsty Lion since moving to the region, and had never visited until this weekend after a visit to the Denver Flea at Union Station's Holiday Market with some friends. It's terrific! Located adjacent to glorious Union Station, this is a positive dining or bar experience. Spacious, comfortable, plenty of room to enjoy time with your friends, family, co-workers, or on a date. The booths are cozy and the noise level is just right to have a legit conversation. Would be a great place to watch a sports event on one of their many televisions - I kept sneaking peeks at the hockey and hoops games! One of the better menus I've seen in a while, versatile with great options for appetizers, salads, and entrees. Was a really tough call, as there were a lot of intriguing choices. Honestly wrestled due to the quality. Our server, Jason, was such a good guy, and gave me some keen insight about potential menu selections. Great beer options also, both their own brews and some quality name brands. So glad I went simple, as my Pepper Bacon Burger was just fantastic, perfectly cooked, and the burger, pickle, bacon and seasonings were topped by a delicious homemade sauce! Wow on the fries too, twice fried and seasoned wonderfully. Looking forward to dining here again on my next visit to LoDo, and I'm targeting their outdoor patio, which could be a great people-watching experience. read more

Was in Denver 4/14 & 15 for Red Rocks concert (Bob Moses&John Bohmer) Took motor-coach from Thirsty Lion. Checked out TL Friday and Saturday. Very roomy and nice open dining areas. Food was excellent. Try the Scotch Eggs for appetizer, they were great. Had delicious chicken sandwich. All menu looked good. Great beer and drink choices. We had a a great server Taylor who was very helpful and fun to chat with. Looking forward to next visit. read more

Stopped for brunch before the Rockies game! Only place that didn't have a 2 hour wait, and they sat us immediately. Our server, Sydney was very friendly! And the food was wonderful! The only reason I gave it 4/5 stars is because the service was rather slow, but luckily we weren't in a hurry! I ordered the breakfast burrito, and my wife ordered the pub breakfast and the salted caramel Moroccan coffee! read more

Located right at union station it is a nice size please with a good variety menu. Everyone enjoyed the food and there were no complaints. There was nothing exceptional about this place except the service was very good. I ordered the salmon plate and it was good. They did roasted vegetables and substituted which I appreciated. read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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One of three places I visited on a recent trip to Denver and definitely the most upscale. The space is large and inviting and the bar is made for conversation with your fellow travelers. It is located right next to the old railroad station, which has been renovated and repurposed (now it is a terminus for light rail and bus traffic with construction going on next door. The 6 beer flight was only $10 and the selection very nice. I augmented my tasting with an order of the Spicy Mac & Cheese which was excellent. the menu looks good for lunch or dinner and I will give myself an extra day the next time I am in Denver. read more

Thirsty Lion - Nice selection of local beers - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I like this place! The atmosphere is so cool and fun. It's really large so it is great for groups and small company happy hours. They also have TVs around the bar and tonight they were showing some golf and the Avs game. Took a bit for a server to finally greet us and bring us some waters but she was really sweet and service was great from then on. We shared the seared ahi tuna appetizer and it was delicious. Be warned it is a bit spicy so if you don't like spicy things I wouldn't recommend this appetizer. Next, we shared the bahn mi sandwich and the bread was soft and the pork inside was sliced thin and didn't have too much fat on it so I felt the quality was good. While we were there a few servers were walking around handing out free testers of one of their specialty cocktails. It was a little too sweet for my preference but I liked that idea and I'm sure they get a lot of people who then order the full size. The menu was also very large so I feel almost anyone could find something they like here. I can't wait to come back and try the bacon wrapped shrimp. I haven't checked, but I assume they have a good happy hour so I will be sure to update my review once I try that. Definitely give this place a try next time you are in the area! read more

Went this past Saturday evening after a beer festival. We were greeted right away by a house when we walked in. It was pretty busy but we got a seat right away. They had a good beer list. Lots of Colorado beer. Our server was named Jazzy. We ordered water and she was always refilling it. We never had an empty glass. We ordered the scotch eggs and fried chicken sliders. Very delicious. Server was attentive and friendly. Cheers! read more

This place is soooooo good for late happy hour! (Happy hour on Friday was up until 11pm). All the meals and drinks were very affordable compared to other places downtown. And best of all this place is right at the heart of Union Station. Easy location to go to your favorite places downtown after eating and drinking at this restaurant. Good and relaxed atmosphere with lots of space! read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Good local beers, had a couple of different IPAs, both excellent. We got the chicken fingers and hummus for starters since it was happy hour and they were very good, highly recommend both. Wife and I split their signature burger, I like my med rare, wife likes hers well done, so "yes dear" we got it well done. Not their fault it wasn't the best, although I could tell the Gorgonzola would've been good on it if cooked med rare. Server was Nice and attentive so overall it was a good place to get dinner and a beer. It's right next to Union Station so there's a lot of activity going on. read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

We came here for a shuttle pick to Red Rocks, saw the great pub atmosphere and decided to have dinner there!! What a great experience!! The waitress was not only helpful with all our tourist questions, very kind and efficient! The food was delicious! 10/10 recommend read more

Finally I had my chance to try the Thirsty Lion Gastropub!! Location: It cannot get better. Next to Union Station, so there is not much to add. Interior/Patio: They have a nice patio but today it was really cold and rainy so obviously not the best weather to enjoy it. Like most of the restaurants around Union Station with big windows, they have plenty of booths to seat and then tables on the middle part of the restaurant. Service: We came at 3pm and they gave us a table right away. We had 2 servers (I believe they change their shift at 4pm) and both were fast and checked on us to make sure everything was good. I asked for beer recommendations and I enjoyed her recommendation. Drinks: My wife ordered a Red Blend from the happy hour, that I tried it too and honestly I was surprised:). It had a full body, rich flavors and it was just 4.95. Their beer selection is totally amazing, I'm a data guy who likes to study menus (my wife hate it haha) and the only detail I was missing from the menus was the alcohol percentage next to the selection. We also asked for a Sangria and it was "different". I'm originally from Spain and my wife lived in Spain 8 years too so we are kind of picky with the Sangria so we just asked the server to take it away. Food: Ok, I must admit that this was probably one of the 3/5 starts of the restaurant because my expectations were higher. We asked from the Happy Hour menu the Salmon Cakes, California Roll and Burger Slider. From my point of view the Salmon Cake was interesting and good, even though my wife didn't like it because a mix of flavors. The Burger Slider was just ok... average..., I will not order it again. And the California Roll, although my wife liked them, I believe they are not the best to order...but was ok. Dessert: If you know me, the dessert can be the most important part of a meal. It's the end of a journey and it's important to finish it with something special. This time we tried the Crème Brûlée. By the way, if you ever go to Spain and most specific Catalonia: We have the Crema Catalana which is almost an identical dessert dated from XIV Century :), so it's a dessert with centuries of tradition. Anyway, culinary history apart, this Crème Brûlée was by far the best of all the food we tried at the Thirsty Lion. The cream was delicious and the contrast with the layer of caramelized sugar was even better. Highly recommended and probably the best one I have tried in Denver!! read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Well for starters we hit the classic cocktail menu. I recommend the Pear Martini. Give this drink top review. The makers mark martini was delicious. We ordered the crispy Brussel sprouts that had crispy pepper bacon and onion. They were tender and tasty. We finished the night with Creme Brûlée. The dessert was wonderful. The crystallized sugar was perfect and crispy. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The service and the food! Well done, well done! read more

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Seriously fantastic ribeye sandwich. The bread was toasted perfectly and the juicy slices of ribeye with melted cheese and au jus for dipping were just the perfect blend of deliciousness Really great place to eat at if you're just looking for a quick bite bursting with flavor. Definitely worth stopping by. read more

Went here on Sunday with some girlfriends and sat outside to enjoy the weather- our service was fantastic! We went there bc my friend liked an old salad they had on one of their limited menus, and we were all able to order it (fantastic salmon by the way). The salads are huge and tasty! I've forgotten about this gem and will definitely be back. read more

My sister and I decided to stop here on our way to see Jo Koy last night. The inside definitely passes the vibe check. I ordered the Breaded Chicken Tenderloins and the Soft Pretzel while my sister ordered the Ahi Poke Stack and the Burger Sliders. Saying that this was the most delicious meal I have had in a while would be an understatement. I would also highly recommend the Raspberry Drop Martini and the Pear Martini for the drinkers out there. The bar staff were super attentive and friendly. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Decided to check out this place for brunch while I was in town to meet up with one of my bff's. First of all, I love the location of it. It's right by Union station and has a great outdoor patio area. I would advise making reservations since they're always busy, especially on weekends. Our table ordered to chicken & waffles and one whiskey French toast meal. It was agreed that the chicken and waffles were decent, but nothing special. The waffles were actually pretty bland. My boyfriend ordered the whiskey French toast and call it the best French toast he's ever had. I sampled it and would agree the French toast was pretty darn good. All in all, our service was great and I wouldn't mind going again for drinks. read more

Thirsty Lion - Spicy Fried Chicken & Waffles - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I'm torn on this one. Wanted to do 3.5... let's see... Nice big space makes for a good atmosphere. Good menu with nice selections. Great beer selection and the cocktails... Whooooo! Great cocktails. The burgers are very good. The sandwiches are pretty much all served on big chunks of ciabatta that is pretty meh. The fries totally make up for it though! Great fries. Don't shy away from the Chipotle hummus either. Ok, talked myself back into 4 stars. Yeah, nice joint and great for groups. read more

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I wanted to say a big thank you to the Thirsty Lion for the wonderful dinner I had on Veterans Day 2023. I ordered the Tuscan Romano Chicken and it was SOOOO yummy and delish. It was a full sized dinner and I felt so lucky and appreciated to be eating such a nice dinner there. So THANK YOU Thirsty Lion for the wonderful Vets day dinner! Our server was a complete rockstar, I came in with a huge group and we were all separate checks (sorry). She totally managed to keep the food and drinks coming and checked us all out in timely way and kept her poise and patience through it all! read more

I came in here for dinner before a show and they were super busy. I would make a reservation if you're coming in on a Friday night. We got two servers because one was training and they were both great!Daniella and Chantel were super friendly and attentive, even though I could tell they had a lot going on. Food and drinks were good and came out quick. Definitely a great spot to grab dinner before a show or game. It's a prime location in the center of everything read more

Very cool spot, amazing 7 day a week happy hour menu, and great draft beer selection. We spent a few hours here today and had excellent service ! Highly recommend the beer flights of 6 for $12! read more

This place is definitely a hot spot for locals and visitors alike. Service was very much on point with many helpful employees to make sure nothing was delayed and a smile at every interaction. I like the hang with your friends for a while vibe. Ok, that's all well and good but what really stood out to me was the beer flight deal. Usually you get 4-5 beers in a flight for $12-15. They gave me SIX! It's so funny how one extra 5pz pour makes me feel I got the deal of a lifetime. And the options of choices was awesome. As if my fellow friends weren't jealous enough because they ordered Coors lights....LAME....then came the food. I was fighting with myself in what to get. The burger, fried chicken sandwich, something Korean, or the French dip. In true Yelp fashion(let's be honest, every meal is an opportunity to find something special) I asked the server what she recommends. French dip without hesitation. And OMG, it was exceptional. The bread, the gooey cheese, the tender meat, and then the lowering of said heaven into that beefy salty au jus. As I type, I'm longing to see that sandwich again. I just wish I didn't live a few thousand miles away. If I'm local, I know wheee you are French dip...I'm coming back for you! read more

Thirsty Lion - French dip and my killer flight of beers - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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We went to the Thirsty Lion for brunch. We were sat right away. Tables were nicely spread out. Seemed COVID friendly. We had some drinks and shared some meals. The whiskey French toast was really good! Unique and flavorful. We also has the chicken fingers and Corn beef hash. Both good also. I would definitely recommend this place! read more

Loud, loud, loud. Can't carry a conversation in this place, the music is blaring and in your face, this isn't background music. And everyone is yelling at each table to overcome the music, which adds to the overall noise level. Food was good but my review is based on the noise, my ears felt like I just left a front row seat at a Red Rocks concert, I couldn't wait to leave. It would be nice to converse at a more normal level. Holy cow, drop the loud music volume in half! Very unpleasant. read more

Waitress was very very nice, but the lighting was harsh. the music was so loud, that can work for some people. food was not good, my entire family did not enjoy any of our food. read more

We went to Thirsty Lion for happy hour after work. The happy hour menu was pretty decent for food, but the happy hourly deals for drinks were limited and a little disappointing. I ended up ordering the ahi tuna poke bowl. It was fresh and delicious! The atmosphere was rather loud, but my coworkers and I had a good time! If Thirsty Lion had happy hour deals on cocktails and wines (other than house wine), this would be the perfect happy hour spot! read more

Thirsty Lion - Ahi tuna poke bowl. - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Went with a group of friends, order drinks and wine, drinks had a soap taste to them, wine seemed watered down. Then ordered a bottle of wine and server brought it to the table already uncorked and again tasted watered down, super suspect. Ordered appetizers to share and food was hit or miss. On positive note service was good. Wouldn't recommend. read more

This place is not bad. They have patio seating and a huge dining room with free wi-fi. I came in by myself at lunch and didn't want to wait so I sat at the bar. The bartender came to take my order right away. I ordered a martini and a Cobb salad with blue cheese vinaigrette. The martini was okay, but didn't shine. I like mine shaken until it has ice crystals. I asked for it to be made that way, but 'twas not to be. The salad was a monster in size and very good. I loved the dressing! The staff was very attentive and I was pleased overall. read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

The food was excellent, I only ordered the chicken sliders but they were delicious. The waiter was very attentive to us, I would most definitely eat here again... read more

Great pub food. We had the fried cheese curds, the specialty Mac and cheese with fried chicken on top and the burger. The cheese curds were lightly battered and served with a sweet and spicy jam and a creamy sriracha sauce - both great. The Mac and cheese was a little garlicky but good, pasta was well cooked and the cheeses were quality. The fried chicken has a lovely crisp and well seasoned coating and the chicken was juicy. The burger was flavorful and cooked perfectly to medium. We ordered Old Fashioneds and they were solid - not the best we've ever had but overall it was a nice meal. The service however? Pretty bad. I wanted the Korean BBQ Gochujang pork, which is one of their signature dishes. There were three opportunities to be told they didn't have that, one of their SIGNATURE dishes, that day. The hostess could have told us. The person who brought our water could have told us. And of course, our server could have told us. So, after a 30 min wait for a table, a 25 min wait for our app, which still came before our cocktails, we ordered dinner and were told they didn't have what I wanted. It's ok to be out of things on occasion. Signature dishes? No. And it's never ok to not inform the guests when you don't have something. We ran out of water sitting outside in the heat (lovely patio though), and waited way too long for our check. Had the service been better, I would give this place another star. The food was solid, tasty and satisfying. read more

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The Thirsty Lion offers a lot: satisfying food, solid drinks, and the perfect urban atmosphere. I could see this being a very popular happy hour spot for urbanites. I came here for breakfast and had a corned beef skillet, which was filling and tasty, but perhaps a little on the small side for the price. However, the menu seemed to have various good alternatives, and I believe the menu will cater to anyone's tastes. For being part of the Union Station Food/Bar offerings, I'd say Thirsty Lion is a worthy choice and I'll have no hesitation if given an opportunity to go back! read more

Thirsty Lion - American Near Me - Denver, Colorado

This place has decent food but the service is horrible. Rude all across the board. We order an appetizer, never got it, then we asked for mayo to go with the hamburger, they forgot. We asked for a box for to go. They forgot. Asked another wait staff for a box. Said they would try. Horrible service, won't be back The one in Cherry Creek has excelled service even when they are busy, to bad obviously the manager at the one in Lodo does not motivate or correct their wait staff. This review was for the location in Cherry Creek. This locations is awesome with great services and super tasty food. Staff is always pleasant and they have a great happy hour. read more