Super Fun lively Bar in Denver with great cocktails and lively bar , service and staff.. patrons are cool and ready to shoot pool!

I visited the good old William's Tavern for the first time in a very long time yesterday for a friend's birthday. I was glad to see that nothing has changed there in the best way. It still is absolutely a dive bar with all the dive bar things like cheap drinks, pool table, semi functioning bathroom. Drinks were super cheap during happy hour ($1 off each drink). A high life can was $2. You can't beat that! The change machine and pool table are a little beat up but that's to be expected. Bathroom was in a similar state. The highlight during my recent visit was definitely the bartender. I forgot to catch his name but he was killing it behind the bar and troubleshooting the change machine all by himself. If you're looking for a true dive bar, William's Tavern is a great choice. Tip: Don't pay to park at the meters on 17th. The streets going perpendicular are free for 2 hours! read more

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I'm gonna be staying away for a long while. It's so weird in here and the customers who come to this bar are so AGGRESSIVE. They're aggressive with sharing the pool table, making up rules as if they own the place, aggressive with the way they talk to you. The audacity is out the window insanely pushy, inappropriate, and mean. It's been this same way the last TWO times I came here and I am def gonna avoid it going forward. Maybe if they ever get new ownership or a total change in staff, it'll change the clientele up. Ick. read more

William’s Tavern - Outside - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Service is fast, the bartenders are chill and nice, and the bar is overall usually pretty clean. There are a couple of like, BS games in here and then a few high tables with some chairs, and then some regular tables with some chairs, then the bar seating. It isn't HUGE, but it ain't nothing... and it's very dive bar. Food, I can't comment on because I didn't have any... but the drinks were good and their machines and nozzles appeared to be cleaned with regularity, so... things actually TASTED good. Went here during Pride, and they were chill AF to let us crash out from the heat for a bit, and use the restroom and everything, so that's a great thing and a tip in their direction. Made sure to buy some drinks, and a water, and tip the bar staff. Could use a little TLC, but I don't think that's its appeal. It's embracing its dive feel... and I don't think that's a bad thing. This area is... interesting at night. Lots of... wandering people, from rich businessmen and the common everyday folk, to sex workers and homeless people. The whole gang is down in this zone, so you will... mix and mingle, so prepare for that in whatever way you want or need. I'd suggest a backpack being down here; bags are not given out, you have to buy them, and the reusable bags have a tax on them now too... so just bring your own bag. Even a little drawstring bag would be fine; just something to carry odds and ends around in. If during the summer, HATS AND SUNGLASSES, are highly recommended. During the winter, this area gets pretty regular traffic, so the snow stays tamped down. read more

This place is actually pretty cool. It's a dive bar and everyone was pretty friendly. The bartenders were fast and knew how to make a shot. They had some pinballs machines and buck hunter. Def a chill spot to stop and have a few. I don't know if I would make this my all night spot, but def a stop by and check it out. read more

Extremely rude wait staff, at least when I was there the night of Saturday 1/18/25. The bartender's disposition was so off that he may be struggling with profound mental issues and should under no circumstances have a customer facing role until he gets things sorted out. Poor guy. In addition to the toxic attitude we faced we were told to leave due to having a service animal, which is illegal. The place is a filthy dump. They don't put forth any effort to be welcoming or clean. There are plenty of other great places nearby, check them out instead. read more

This place is a dive bar! Love it! The atmosphere is great! I love when you can find a good dive bar in Denver!

Fun spot with a Touch tunes machine, stiff drinks, and Derek - a great bartender ! My friend and I were dive barhopping in the downtown Denver area, and we stumbled upon this place on Google. The reviews left a lot to be desired, but we figured let's just check it out anyway. We were not disappointed. We were able to talk to a bunch of the locals, play our own music, and round up some shots. Definitely will go back my next time in town. read more

My wife and I read the reviews about TJ.... We stopped In Last night and were very disappointed, TJ was on his best behavior. Not a single rude comment was made, no yelling, he wasn't making out with any chicks across the bar. Total let down. However, the bartenders were great and handled a packed bar very well. On top of that there was an issue with some drunk idiot touching my wife while I was outside smoking and the staff and regulars there took care of it immediately. If anybody says a bad thing about this place, they were probably already having a bad day and looking to complain anyways. To the staff at Williams, from my wife and I, thank you very much for a great night out. read more

I have the great misfortune of living next to this shithole. The regulars have hit and ran my car 3 times now, And consistently do blow off the trunk of my cars. An actual nightmare to be within a mile of this place read more

Best bar... Best people... Best staff! Holy moly fun times! Can't beat t free music... Sometimes free pool (okay just Mondays)... read more

William’s Tavern - a happy hour sign - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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I accidentally spilt a beer before close. I asked for a towel to clean it up and he yelled at me to get the fucked out. Asked again to get a towel and he screamed at me to get the fuck out so I did. Never had a bar tender so mad at me for accidentally spilling a beer. Never go here. read more

Stopped in on my mission to try out Happy Hours in Denver. Unfortunately, happy hour prices are only for those that carry cash, which I rarely do. They have an ATM in the back but if I have to pay an ATM fee, that negates the happy hour special. read more

Great local dive! Cheap drinks, good vibes. Jackson is the best bartender he is so friendly!

This bar reminds me of home and I always feel welcome when I am here. TJ specifically is the best bartender and they're lucky to have him, let alone all of the staff. They always greet me by name and it shows that they care about their customers. Always happy to go in and see TJ behind the bar. read more

It's a classic dive bar in a town that is increasingly losing them to gentrification: Cheap, sub-par beer. Random people making out. Friendly bartender. Fun jukebox. No pretence. Oh, and, plastic cups?! You'll feel pretty buff lifting up plastic pints. read more

just got the police called on me for attempting to ask for an itemized copy of my receipt. I was told it was written on paper every night and thrown away. I was told that It was not apart of my business because it was not apart of an industry (I'm a food and beverage blogger). Also requested to state my order so they can calculate it to the obvious cost. And lastly, I was physically threatened to be removed because I continued to state my rights. Williams Tavern ran my card and could not provide me with a statement. I would truly think about who you have running your bar and the way they talk to paying customers. I'm a bitch, a liar, a thief for paying a bill that I would like documentation for. read more

I love dive bars. I dont mind grungy atmospheres or curmudgeonly bartenders. I'm all about the laid back life and cheap drinks. But I cant go back here, for only one reason: the volume. At 5:30 on a Wednesday the music was so loud my group of three had to lean into our high top table and shout at each other. Walking out felt like leaving a concert. It was more effort and less relief than I was looking for in a happy hour. Prices cant be beat though. read more

Bartender TJ super attentive, small talk/music conversations...made the vibe perfect, will return for sure!!! Place is rad!

Last night was the first night I attended this bar with a couple buddies who are regulars. It was busy with one bartender, Tj, so I was understanding when our beers hadn't come out. However, after about 15 or 20 minutes, it became apparent our order was being ignored. I had to start wondering if it was racially motivated seeing as how my group had the only minority present in the entire bar, me. I really can't imagine what else it would have been since I didn't even get a chance to speak to the bartender personally. It felt really embarrassing and I felt really ashamed in front of my friends. I thought it was just me at first but having seen a couple previous reviews on the matter, it appears their bartender has an odd attitude problem at best and a racial problem at worst. read more

I went to Williams Tavern for the first time. I bought a vodka soda and sat down at the bar. I made the mistake of using a PBR can that had been there bare minimum of 20 minutes as a spitter. Once the owner came back the bartender accused me immediately of taking this guy's beer. I apologized to the guy and said I'll buy you a beer because I had no idea it was yours. Your bartender kicked me out followed by some girl yelling at me trying to start a fight for 2 blocks. I have no idea what happened as I was sober and very upset by the hostility I was shown. Update: okay these guys have redeemed themselves. Only fair to update the rating read more

TJ was the best bartender in the city! He made sure I got fucked up and had a blast! Would strongly recommend him!!

I've been going to Williams often enough over the last year to where half the bartenders just bring my usual with a nod and a smile. It's 5-stars if I'm talking from the heart... and I am :) Williams can best be described as a hole-in-the-wall, neighborhood bar. It feels TOTALLY out of place in the neighborhood; you'd expect it flanking a suburb. It's kind of an unpretentious lower class "Cheers" in the middle of uptown, surrounded by much higher class establishments. I would hold off on calling it a "dive" only because it's slightly better kept, and if you're familiar with dive clientel (think Nob Hill or the old Lancer Lounge), this place does not fit that description. During the day, from opening until things ramp up into happy hour, it's really just a neighborhood watering hole. You'll be served immediately, the bartender will chat you up (if you chat first), and you'll see a couple of regulars on lunch break (and maybe some crazy local phenomenon that will get people chatting). During the evening (happy hour onward), it's a mixed bag... weeknights, you have a good chance of getting a seat, maybe even at the bar. Weekends is when you have to really have a good reason to go in... the line at the bar (more of a throng, really) will be 3-4 people deep, TONS of drunk young people. It may feel like you'll wait forever, and you will wait... but it's not terrible - they have bar backs on reserve and at least two or three bartenders (USUALLY) and they do a pretty amazing job at handling the clusterfuck that $5 you-call-it on Friday night can be. There's a third party that sells grilled food almost every night and you're allowed to eat it inside and pay what you want. They also don't care if you have a pizza delivered or bring your own food inside. It's also really easy to get a cigarette or two if that's how you roll. Happy hour is actually 4-7p, Monday through Friday - all day Sunday. $5 beer and a shot (pretty much ANYTHING you want... and I've seen Slow and Low whiskey / Longhammer IPA on that list). They do pour famously heavy shots, almost like the old Lancer Lounge. No happy hour on Saturday (but a High Life and well shot is still $5.50, so whatever). I have never seen anyone play darts here and if I were the proprietor, I'd just take the board off the wall. It's kind of pointless in that setup. However, the bar pool table is great and almost always in use - get your quarters up if it's busy! Their jukebox has evidently been updated since some of the older reviews... they have a TouchTunes box now which you can control physically or with your phone, and have tens of thousands of songs, so that's not an issue at all. You can pretty much play whatever you want. Let's quickly address some of the sophomoric reviews. The bartenders here, 100% in my experience, are not rude or inattentive at all -- unless you're acting the fool or get too drunk to drink (or have wildly out-of-line expectations which should have been informed differently the second you walk in). You should not expect immediate service during "peak hours" as I mentioned above, and you should expect to shout your order and not mess around during those times, they're doing the best they can. Additionally, it is not a "bro" bar by any definition - the clientel here runs the gamut from older gentlemen off work, husbands and wives, nerds and hipsters... every day and time. Yes, you'll get "bros" on Friday and Saturday night, but you'll get that at EVERY BAR IN DENVER with a drink special. Anyhow, you should come here and have a great time - if you're a neighbor, you can make this a local retreat very easily and save money at the same time. read more

William’s Tavern - Just chillin. - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

LOVE this dive bar! Came in, and the bartender, T.J., was so helpful with drink selections. He offered all the patrons at the bar ice waters. He made specific drinks for an engagement party for 2 people who asked. All the patrons there were nice. Go to Williams Tavern for a drink when you visit Denver. read more

This is a drunken "happy hour" dream. Williams has, as I'm sure you've heard, $5 beer and a shot combo's for happy hour. My normal is a "Fat Tire" and a shot of "Fireball". My friends opt for "a less worthy beer" and a shot of "Jameson". Just about any combo I throw at them they charge me five dollar bills. They have darts, you should bring your own, theirs fly as straight as a bat in flight. I don't know why they chose the mini darts with a real dartboard. They have a single pool table that I've been able to play every time I've been there. Some nights there is a guy there that is cooking burgers for tips. I wouldn't go here looking for dinner but the night I spotted the burgers I definitely didn't pass on them. They have a 10 dollar min on Credit and Debit cards. That's not a problem if you want 2 beers and 2 shots but you should be ready with cash if not. If you want a nice cheap spot to drink a few this is a great choice. Cheers, read more

William’s Tavern - The special and what the pours look like - Bars Near Me - Denver, Colorado

A bouncer came up and grabbed my buddy by the shirt and said he has to leave. We were sitting at a table talking. I said you have the wrong guy, we haven't done anything besides talk since we got here and the bouncer grabbed him by his shirt collar and pulled him off the seat and kicked him out, super aggressive. We all left (sober). Told management and they didn't care. Sweet.. read more

T.J. is a the worst bartender I have ever seen. I can only imagine that he has to be related to management to be this big of a piece of human excrement. He was drunk and antagonistic when we arrived. I attempted to placate him by explaining that myself and my friend were service industry, and had just closed down our kitchen. He was nice...for a bit. Yet, he continued to drink, and repeadedly annouced he was, "leaving for an minute," while rountinly making out with a customer across the bar. After all of this, I attempted to order a last round and close-out. Long story short, the night almost ended with me fighting your bartender. T.J., got so out of line I reminded him I was also service industrty, and a Marine Corps veteran, and happy to test his metal. T.J., is a surly drunken piece of shit. Even if you fire him I will never come back to your bar again. Moreover, I will relay to all of my friends in the service industry that this place is garbage. read more

Beers and steers here. The ladies aren't really the lookin type. That's pretty much it. Found a guy pushin drywall in the bathroom. Mirror was missing. Irish Whiskey was cheap. People that come here are mostly garbage. Keep to yourself and you'll be fine. read more

I Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this bar. Our friend/server (NOLAN) at Randolph's restaurant advised us to go here; as we were looking for a dive/fun bar with a jukebox. Check and Check! The drinks are cheap, the beers are cold, my friend and I can dance like wild people and no one even cares. There is one pool table, and a few tables. The jukebox has any song you can want and I am pretty sure I spent like $40 on music on Saturday night. We had so much fun the first night, we came back Sunday at like 1:00 in the afternoon. The cocktails were on happy hour for $2.50! Heyyyo! Also, FREE enchiladas on the table! haha! The bar tender came out and danced with us! She was super rad. It was like our own Jukebox/dance party all afternoon on Sunday! This will now be a Denver trip staple! Thank you for the memories! read more

Everyone who works here is wonderful except for TJ. He is extremely rude, erratic, and sometimes he so drunk he cannot bartend. Go in any day he is not working and you will have a wonderful experience. read more

I came here last weekend with some friends. This place is a total dive bar, it has a juke box, a pool table and darts. There is nothing special about this place, but if you want to go somewhere you can get cheap drinks and have a good time, this is the place to go. The bartenders here are really friendly as is the crowd here. I had a good buzz when I got here, then had a few more drinks. Woke up with good memories, okay cool, 3 stars. read more

Williams Tavern is great, this eclectic little bar is smack in the middle of uptown. WYSIWYG here, there's no pretentious atmosphere, snooty clientele or high-drama patrons. Many of my friends like to frequent here due to the inexpensive nature of the drink specials, they usually have a shot and a beer (of your choice) for 5 dollars, which is kind of unheard of in this city as far as value. It should be noted, the size of these shots can be what I consider to be more than a double, so the value is truly here, for that you will be very appreciative. I've been here many times, if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a low-stress, casual atmosphere to round out your evening, I can't suggest this place enough. Great dive bar, if you're in the area, you should check this place out. read more

Do not go to this bar alone if you are female. Or in general. The bartenders and owners perpetuate rape culture & do not take care of new patrons. They only care about protecting their staff & regulars and when we noticed a middle age regular male customer making MULTIPLE women (including my friend & I) uncomfortable by touching them and following them and not leaving when asked. When we tried to address this, my friend was surrounded by every regular and staff member in the bar while everyone including the bartenders were yelling profanity and threatening him. Having worked in a LoDo bar, I know there is a CLEAR difference between "just being drunk" (as I was told by one of the bartenders) and being a PREDATOR. Ad a native, I'm horrified to know this behavior exists so close to my home. This place is a horrible representation of Colorado and Denver locals. It's a very dangerous place for especially women to go. Not one staff member or regular will look out for your safety here. DO NOT RISK IT. read more

I visited Williams to avoid the noise on colfax; glad I did. It was a wonderful Christmas Eve away from home. Thanks to TJ and his juke box choices I stayed for hours after getting a friend to join. Other patrons added to the merriment. It was the best time I've had in Denver. I hope to repeat it. Hats off to the day bartender who name I've forgotten. Peace. read more

I wish I drank beer. And you know why? Because during happy hour, it's a beer and you call it shots for $5. $5 for a gallon shot (truly, you must see the size of these things. They could keep a village very well nourished) and a beer. Perfect. But alas, I drink whiskey. No need to worry because a tall well is only $2. And if it's not happy hour, then it should be pretty darn close to it. And them drinks are strong. Like kill a horse strong. Which is no matter, because the bathrooms... well, you better make sure that you really have to go before venturing in there. Truly a wonderful dive, and one I fondly call Bill's, Billy's, Williams, whatever. I suggest paying with cash, as there is a $10 minimum for cards. Will save you a lot of headaches because if you are like me and drink the aforementioned $2 drinks, you have to drink 5 tall drinks to get the card to go through. And belive you me, I have no issue with drinking 5 drinks in one night. But I don't like to camp out here for too long lest I smell of despair. Be nice to the staff, and they will be nice to you. It's bar etiquette people. Don't like it? Don't come here. read more

Started my 40th birthday celebrations here Saturday morning at shortly after midnight. The bartender carded me (a compliment in itself) then asked to see it again. She then bought my first drink, even though I am no regular here, when she saw the date. This is a very nice gesture, perhaps saved for regulars in most places. Certainly unexpected. My second pleasant surprise came when I saw the sign for girl scout cookies for sale. Then to top it off, they had thin mints, which are the greatest cookie ever sold EVER! I had Jamison and thin mints for my first round of the day....What a great start... read more

Seriously how does this place make money? My work team frequents this bar a lot because.. $2 WELLS!!! $5 FOR A BEER AND A SHOT- OF WHATEVER YOU WANT!! What are you trying to do to us, Williams? Do you enjoy seeing my team of working professionals become blubbering bafoons at 4 in the afternoon? I hate and love this place because I have no self control. Don't expect much if you are coming here, it's definitely a "dive" bar, but if you want to let loose after workin that 9 to 5, this place can hit the spot. read more

Just a good ol bar. However I like when a bartender knows you are on the edge of over indulging and instead of asking you your next drink order they poor you a water and/ or offer you food. Fantastic !!! Been a bartender for years. This guy is a great bartender I think his name is Derek? I think? read more

What can I say? There is a cute bar with cheap drinks and nice bartenders within 100 yards of my front door. Perhaps I should rethink that whole "No God" thing. I love this place. **Update** I saw the review from D.S. I was there the night that this person and their "friends" came into Williams. Speaking as the resident homo of the bar I really have no idea what they are talking about. I am there more than I care to admit and I can tell you that everyone, and I mean everyone, is welcome at this establishment. However, when one of the drunken bit&#es in your group starts throwing drink glasses at people perhaps that behavior is what made you feel unwelcome. Perhaps this D.S. person should be a little more upfront and honest with their reviews as I was there the night they came in and saw what a drunken mess they were. read more

I would give this place 0 stars if that was an option. I stopped in for a quick drink on a Saturday afternoon and was blown away by the absolutely horrible service. The first drink was fine and the bar tender was friendly. However, by the second round the bar tender (let's just call her "Melissa") had taken 3 Fireball shots with a group of "bro" boys and was completely tossed. It was apparent by her stumbling, a broken glass and her obvious challenges with a calculator that Melissa has a few things to learn about holding her liquor. After a 15 minute wait for our tab (keep in mind there were only about 10 people at the bar), the bar keeper decided to "comp" us our drinks, told us "we were welcome" and told us to get out. There were at least 4 other people waiting for their tabs with the same frustration. These drinks might be cheap but you get what you pay for. If you go, pay cash and order before the bar tender gets shmammered. read more