It's not exactly a secret that Union Lodge is one of the beet cocktail bars in Denver, but when I first visited a year ago, although I enjoyed myself I was slightly underwhelmed. Perhaps this was due to the effects of the pandemic and the reopening of so many businesses, or maybe I was just in a slightly cranky mood, because upon revisiting last night, I have become an easy convert. You still may need to wait a bit to get a seat (yes, even on a Wednesday night). You will definitely need to wait for your cocktail (but with one bartender crafting expert level drinks for the entire bar, this is to be expected). Sit back, relax, take in the vibe and wait to be delighted. This time around, my Manhattan was just about the best I've ever had. It's the housemade bitters, adding an undeniable complexity and depth of flavor you normally don't find. My wife was similarly delighted by the Widow's Kiss, a lovely, balanced blend of bonded applejack, strega, benedictine and bitters. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that both of this cocktails cost less than $30 combined. An absolute gem of a spot. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Came here on a Saturday night, I would highly recommend this place if you enjoy craft cocktails and excellent bar service. just be fore warned, there usually is a bit of a wait. I happen to order their chai old fashion. I have never had a chai inspired old fashion before and was highly curious. I will say that this drink more than exceeded my expectations. My girlfriend ordered a whiskey sour. It was perfectly frost, make sure to get it with egg whites if you are not vegan, I am perfect amount of tartness. they do not have a food menu here, just all drinks. which is why the wait usually is not that long to get in as people are just having a drink or two and then leaving. Overall one of my favorite memories coming to Denver, I would recommend any out of town or or local to come visit this establishment if you haven't already. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Chai old fashion. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

We went here on Valentine's Day after dinner around 8pm and it was packed, we got really lucky with a couple leaving as we walked in to get seats at the bar. I'm really happy we were seated at the bar because watching the bartenders craft the drinks was so fascinating and entertaining! We got the I'm a butterfly, Stick of Truth, Union gin fizz, and bartenders choice - Serrano, blackberry, pineapple, & tequila. Initially I liked the bitterly cocktail, however, then I decided it tasted far too much like licorice, which I don't like (could have absolutely been one of the ingredients listed and I didn't know). The stick of truth was really neat to watch be made and was very smoky, but good! The union gin fizz was like a creamsicle in drink form, and thus totally delicious. The bartenders choice was the probably our favorite all around. We really loved the ambiance as it definitely gave of speakeasy vibes. Definitely on the pricer side, it was $75 (pre tip) for the 4 cocktails, but so much effort and time went into them, and again we really enjoyed the environment. read more

wow! amazing cocktails with the perf ambiance drinks we tried: - old fashioned - knickerbocker - gin fizz the gin fizz was something I've never had before so kudos!! It tasted kinda like drinking a dessert, a lemon pie xD it takes some extra time to make and to get that much foam! it's really fun and cool watching the bartenders make the drinks also such friendly and great service!! from everyone! highly recommend this place read more

Union Lodge No.1 - amazing cocktails!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I was initially intrigued by this cocktail bar with so many perfect reviews, after coming here on a Friday night I can definitely confirm that it lives up to its 5-star review hype. There was just a short wait for the 3 of us, and after about 10 minutes we were able to get seated at the curve of the bar; what a treat that was because if we had gotten seated at a table, we would not have gotten front row seats to the show that Kyler the Bartender put on! He was impeccable with his details while multitasking making 2-4 cocktails at once. At one point, he was vigorously shaking 3 Boston cocktail shakers. As far as the drinks go, they were all amazing. I had 2 drinks off the seasonal menu - Wilma and Pebbles, and We are Professionals. The flavors really came through without being too overpowering or sweet. My husband got Winter Apple Poem and a Sazerac, which were also great. My friend had a gin fizz because she loves a fruit-forward sweet drink. She loved it so much that she asked Kyler if he could make another fizz with a flavor of his choice. He surprised us all with a banana-pandan gin fizz which was nothing short of amazing. I don't especially love coming into Downtown for cocktail bars, but for Union Lodge I would and can't wait to continue bringing all my out of town friends to check out this amazing bar. read more

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The Union Lodge is a wonderful (and somewhat hidden) upscale prohibition bar right in the heart of downtown's central business district. The vibe is awesome with dim lighting, a social ambiance featuring black leather prohibition-era style couches, rustic dark woods and 1920s-era incandescent globe lamps. I went with the bartenders' choice mezcal cocktail, and asked to try a Sour variation for my second drink - both were one of a kind beverages that were delivered with a detailed rundown on the intention behind each ingredient used to build the desired flavor profiles I was looking for. For the sour, skipping the egg white only works if the ratio of flavors is spot on and they nailed it. Union Lodge is a one-of-a-kind spot with a seriously impressive team; I'm delighted to have found this spot! Thanks Erick and team for your hospitality! -- PS: Grover is looking down with a smile! read more

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OMG - stopped in here on a Monday night based on recommendation from hotel bartender and was blown away. Seriously good cocktails done right, every time. Exceptional quality, great service, cool vibe. Highly recommended! read more

Like watching a painter or sculptor when sitting at the bar. These bartenders have honed their craft and work together in unison. It was a pleasure to finally visit this craft cocktail bar on a Saturday night. They check your ID and vaccination card in the lobby, graciously seat you and then attend you with laser focus. You will be asked for your taste preferences and drinks are made accordingly. Such an incredible staff here. I could watch them make drinks for hours. Our drinks were thoughtful, well balanced, spirit forward, and truly spectacular. This staff is so professional and knowledgeable. You will learn while you drink. My only add is that I would love to see better or any substitutions for dairy and egg infused drinks. So many things we wanted to try that weren't vegan friendly. Definitely stop in to this beautiful bar to have the best hand crafted cocktail in Denver! read more

Great cocktail bar with an awesome laid back. We had a couple of fantastic drinks with great Service. Definitely will go back.

The staff was incredibly friendly! The menu had a lot of drinks and the bartender came to explain the absinthe drink to us which was super interesting. My favorite bar in Denver! read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Absinthe cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

The service and drinks were awesome. The bartenders were willing to experiment and make something unique based on what you liked.

A truly wonderful cocktail joint. This is the second time I've been here and it did not disappoint. They bar staff is kind, welcoming and very knowledgeable. We had the Knickerbocker and the Red, White and Blue Blazer and a Green Swizzle. All delicious! read more

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Upscale, classy and quaint -ish bar with excellent service! Getting a reservation was easy - via their website but I hear it can be difficult ! Every drink we ordered was tasty! Their cocktail menu is quite vast and our server was very sweet and had some really good drink suggestions! All their drinks looked so pretty!!! We had the gin fizz - highly recommend, it's unlike any other gin fizz you've had! The knickerbocker was strong and tasty and so was the pineapple julep! Overall we enjoyed our experience and I'm definitely coming back again to try other drinks on their menu! read more

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The drinks and overall vibe were good but the staff was definitely off. You expect to be greeted at a bar like this and given the experience (we're spending $20 on a drink after all) and it was quite the opposite. Staff was rude and cold. We literally had our bill thrown at us. It was very bizarre. Clearly something happening over there. read more

Bar tender was super friendly and tentative Drinks are made strong!!!! Haha just what we need! I love the vibe of the place it's like back in the day. And they don't serve vodka here (but who drinks that now anyways;) Def come grab a drink here read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

This bar is where you need to be for exquisite drinks. Nothing tailors to your flavors than the bartenders here. If your in the LODO, make an effort to grab a drink at this location. Ask for Ivan he will contour for you. read more

The drinks were amazing-classic coctails delivered with modern sophistication, the staff were friendly and helpful, and I LOVE the historic vibe of the building. The actual building was historic and they rolled with the theme with menus that looked straight out of Red Dead Redemption. I had a great time and would love to go back, if only I actually lived nearby. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

My go to drink is always either an old fashioned or a martini. So every time I go to a new bar, I try one of those two drinks first. Their old fashioned is killer plus everything else I had was amazing. I loved the atmosphere and their service was top tier. The location itself is fine and parking can be difficult as it is in downtown denver but if you Uber there, 10/10 experience read more

Union Lodge No.1 is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail or two before heading off to dinner. I love the ambiance of the place (Prohibition theme) and how intimate it is. We were seated right away and the service was outstanding. Drinks: Union Gin Fizz + House Collins. Drinks are reasonably priced and the bartenders know what they are doing :). My drink had the appeal of a milkshake and it is a style I usually don't go for but it was tasty and I wanted to try something unique. Definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a well-made cocktail! read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Union Gin Fizz & House Collins - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Fantastic service and drinks. The absinthe cocktail was a flambé masterpiece, both visually stunning and perfectly balanced in flavor. Great service and inviting ambience throughout. read more

A new favorite & frequent. The gin fizz is everything - it's tastes like a milkshake without being too too sweet. Super cool spot with exposed brick and fun decor. Service is wonderful and cocktails are killer. read more

Service and drinks here are amazing. Love the old school theme and drinks menu. Great for a drink with a partner or a group of buddy's after work. Recommend the gin fizz for a unique experience. read more

If it wasn't for Yelp I'm not sure if I would have found this spot, but I'm so glad I did! Loves: + Excellent cocktails + Phenomenal and smart bartenders + We love a prohibition theme I wish I could have stayed longer but I really enjoyed coming here after a long day. TIP: It's a small spot so I recommend coming with a small group or planning your visit at slower hours. read more

This is a wonderful bar with delicious cocktails. We've been here a few times now and all of the bartenders are super friendly and completely on point. The place is super tiny which is part of the appeal. All of the drinks are very reasonably priced and taste great! Would definitely recommend for a pre or post dinner drink. read more

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The Sazerac was so smooth and memorable. The cash register and American flag are the oldest items in the bar. The American flag was found on a naval ship with gun powder on it. The vibe here is very chill and interesting. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - The Bar with the American flag from 1876 with gun powder on it! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I showed up at 7pm on a Friday night and was able to be seated right away. The location was great cause it's right downtown in the union station neighborhood where many hotels are located, including mine. It's a prohibition style bar. I wouldn't consider it a speakeasy cause it wasn't hard to find but the drinks were of high quality. They have an pretty extensive menu of cocktails as well as hard to find whiskies. I had the gin fizz per bartenders recommendation and the widows kiss. The gin fizz tasted almost like a cream soda versus an alcoholic drink. The widows kiss was more spirit forward which I enjoyed. The service was great as the bartenders refilled my water like five times while I was there. Overall, a great place to start the night. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Gin fizz - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Really cute place for drinks! A bit small but cozy with dim lighting. If you like sweet drinks, get the pineapple julep. If you want something strong, get the absinthe cocktail. It's a whole experience with that drink. The waiter lit something on fire and then pour it in the drink. It's a pretty cool view. They do not have any utensils as an fyi. read more

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Fun speakeasy vibe with rock music! Bathrooms are a bit hard to find, make sure to ask the bartenders for the passcode. Wasn't a fan of my drink - Gin Fizz, which tasted more like a milkshake but it was a fun try. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Bars with speakeasy vibes are always a favorite of mine and I really love this one. The menu alone deserves a shout out as it is old timey and perfectly on theme. I love a good manhattan and got the Widow Killer this past weekend which was delic. I thought the service was great as well and we had a group of 10 with us. I hate that it's kind of off the beaten path right now with 16th street closed on Champa and I don't want to see this place close so please please give them a shot! I promise you won't be disappointed. read more

Talented staff who are passionate practitioners of their craft. A you name it, they know it kind of place. Urban sophistication and rustic charm, a uniquely Denver perch. You simply need to wet your whistle at this lively little modest jewel. read more

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The worst cocktail bar I have visited in Denver. Trying so hard to cosplay a pre prohibition bar. Limited seating and in an office building. If you see the guy with the annoying fedora turn around. They also don't serve vodka because they are "pre prohibition". dumb. read more

Nice scenery for a bar. Felt like a cigar bar. Drinks was good, service was great. I only wish the bar was bigger, I felt cramped inside. read more

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We stopped before dinner on a busy Friday night - when we got there, we saw it was full so waited in the entrance lobby to figure out an alternative plan. One of the bartenders was kind enough to pop out and say a few bar seats would open soon, so just to hang tight. I appreciated that! Within 5 minutes we were able to grab a spot. So, if you happen to stop by, groups often come in, have a drink, and scoot so be patient - it's worth the wait! They have an extensive menu and the staff are highly skilled. My husband ordered the gin fizz, based on reviews I read and the unique style of the drink. I'm pregnant, so asked for a mocktail, to which they immediately asked what style drink (I shared anything ginger). They mixed up a delicious orange/honey/ginger mocktail that was super refreshing. Overall, super cool experience, extremely kind and attentive staff, and watching them make all the various cocktails was top notch. Everyone at the bar was friendly with one another as well, we saw several individuals come in and begin chatting with strangers. Highly recommend making a stop here if visiting or local! read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Gin Fizz & Ginger Mocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Cozy, dark, romantic, and fantastic cocktails - all that at Union Lodge No. 1. Perfect place for a late night cocktail, a drink after a show, or a pre-dinner libation. We stopped here after a DCPA show, and was a perfect ending to the evening. My Manhattan was spot on, with a nice bitterness. My partner is an Old Fashioned fan, and hers was strong and delicious. Sit at the bar and watch the master bartenders at work for an entertaining treat. I'll definitely be going back. read more

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This place was the perfect stop after our long trip. We had 4 drinks and it was like drinks and a show the bartender was amazing at making the drinks. I had a esperesso martini, pineapple julep, whiskey mint julep and old fashioned. The vibes were nice and the place was small and cool. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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If you are in Denver and you enjoy cocktails you must come here, no questions. Easily some of the best cocktails I have ever tried. Friendly bartenders who know exactly what they are doing. You will not leave disappointed. This places lives up to the hype and deserves all the high ratings it has. Like I said this place is a must stop for people from the area or those visiting. It is a small bar but has a great atmosphere and is inviting. Great cocktail list but they can make more unique ones if not too busy! read more

Best cocktails I've ever had. The service is awesome. Recommendations were awesome The ambiance, vibe and music was on point. Check this place out if you're into craft cocktails read more

Me and my wife came here a I got the gin fizz Strong I'll tell you that. It was good the vibe as well the waitress were good it's just a little to expensive for a cocktail. read more

The drinks were absolutely delicious. My mom used to drink a pink squirrel, and I could not find any bars to make it. When I asked the bartender if he could make it, he looked all over for the ingredients made it as soon as I tasted it it reminded me of my mom. Brought back great memories. I'd like to thank the bartender for going out of his way to find the ingredients read more

Great cocktail bar downtown! Got a table without a reservation on a Friday night! I ordered the Tom Collins, and it was tasty. Waiters are friendly and the place has a nice ambience. read more

Union Lodge No.1 - the Tom Collins - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado