Want to throw a stellar Denver bachelorette party? There’s so much to do in the city. Visit a food hall serving delectables that are #trending or get lost in immersive art installations meant to transport you out of this world. Plus, the bar scene is second to none, where weird and wonderful is always on the menu. Only in Denver can you visit lounges like Retrograde, hidden in the back of an ice cream parlor, or Forest Room 5, where you can sip your drinks while sitting in front of a roaring fire.
5 Reasons We Love a Denver Bachelorette Party
Denver has something for everyone, and here are our top reasons why we love it as a bachelorette party destination!
- Hosting a destination event gets everyone on equal footing. Most of the gals will be new to the city and experiencing things for the first time.
- Denver has a vibrant art scene. No matter what your bride’s vibe is, she’ll find something that interests her in this city.
- Denver has breweries and craft distilleries in almost every neighborhood, making it a top destination for beer connoisseurs.
- The boutiques. You’ve heard of the city’s food trucks, of course, but Denver may be the only city with its own fashion truck. If you’re more into the brick-and-mortar scene, Denver still has you covered. The area by Stanley Marketplace is chock-full of unique shopping spots.
- Dancing. Enjoy salsa bars, swing dives, and even bachata socials.
Things to Do in Denver
Denver is known as the ‘mile high city’ because its elevation is 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level. It’s also a buzzing metropolis where culture and nightlife combine with amazing views and ways to explore the outdoors. It’s the perfect spot for bachelorette getaways!
Cities explorer
If your crew is into city exploring, below are a few activities you’ll love:
- Check out the Denver Beer Spa! That’s right. Beer. Spa. Sit in zero-gravity massage chairs and sip artisanal beer and cider.
- Adam’s Mystery Playhouse is a kitschy dinner and murder mystery event where there’s a ton of audience engagement and the whole shebang takes place in an actual historic mansion. There’s definitely a comedic element that will keep the whole crew laughing!
- Check out the RiNo Art District. Instead of a stuffy museum or highbrow gallery, you can see colorful art right on the city streets. The murals stretch across the buildings that house microbreweries and wine bars.
- Visit Denver Union Station. Yes, it’s a train station, but it’s also so much more! It’s a historic landmark in the center of the city (you’ll recognize that facade!) full of shopping and dining experiences. Plus, it’s free to visit!
- Walk through Larimer Square, an entertainment and nightlife area of the city filled with dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Food lovers
Denver is a great city for foodies with wonderful events and attractions for food lovers!
- Denver Like a Local offers a variety of different tours, including a whiskey tour! During the tour, you’ll walk around the city and make stops at several historic bars, including Denver’s oldest Irish pub. The tour lasts for about 3 hours and all sample drinks are included in the $80/person price.
- If you’re headed to Denver in the winter (skiing anyone?) you can participate in the annual Eggnog and Cider Competition in early December in Arvada, about 20 minutes outside of downtown Denver. Only 500 people are allowed in to sip the alcoholic beverages and, eventually, vote on their favorites, so a winner can be crowned.
- Delicious Denver offers food tours including a wine walk, a cocktail tour, and a downtown food tour. You can also opt for a private tour for your group!
- Denver is known for its breweries, and Denver Microbrew Tours will show you some of the best breweries in the area. It’s a walking tour and you can choose a tour in Downtown, RiNo, or book a private tour that will take you wherever you want to go!
Weekender
Looking to spend a quick weekend in Denver? There are some great events throughout the year that would make a great bachelorette party weekend!
- During the last weekend in April, the girls and you can attend Denver’s Bluebird Music Festival hosted at Macky Auditorium Concert Hall. Remember to pack a jacket, since the average temperature around that time of year is in the low 60s.
- Denver BBQ Fest takes place every summer, smoking over 30,000 pounds of barbecue! General admission grounds passes are free, so come and enjoy some of the best barbecues around!
- Head over to Denver’s Fan Expo in June. This comic book-themed event spans the entire city and turns everything extra animated for one special weekend. If your bride is into #nerdom, this is the weekend to visit Denver. There are dress-up contests and celebrity appearances,
- Denver Food + Wine Festival is one of the biggest events of the year, taking place at the beginning of September. Attend special experiences like the Dinner Under the Stars and the Shake + Brake Showdown, where food trucks compete to make the best bite.
Outdoor adventures
Denver is perfectly situated for outdoor adventurers. The city has a major airport and is easy to fly into and out of, has a great downtown scene, but is also close to so many wonderful outdoor adventure options!
- Spend a day skiing/snowboarding/sledding with the girl gang. There are some amazing resorts around Denver that let you hit the slopes during the day and have a few drinks at night. Check out Echo Mountain (50-minute drive from Denver), Loveland Ski Area (1-hour drive), and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (1 hour 15 minutes).
- Hike around the beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This is a breathtaking place, built right into the bedrock. The color is bright and unique, making for great pics. You can check out the rock formations, yell to test the acoustics, and catch an outdoor concert.
- Visit Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. On protected land, you can see wild eagles, prairie dogs, herds of bison and so much more. One option is to take an 11-mile auto tour, during which you stay in your vehicle and explore the refuge by car.
- Go to a game. The Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies both play in open-air stadiums. Watch the team go head to head with an opponent, grab some drinks, and enjoy the atmosphere. There’s nothing like the excitement of a close game!
Where to Eat in Denver
Denver has a diverse, edgy culinary scene. No matter what your bride is into, be it handmade ramen or beautifully crafted chocolates, you can find it in Denver. Below are a few of our favorite delectable options in the city.
Restaurant suggestions
- Interested in trying some games and some less common fare? At Buckhorn Exchange Restaurant you can try Prime Grade Beef Steaks, Buffalo, Elk, Lamb, Fish, Fowl, and more. It’s a landmark restaurant in Denver, known as the city’s original steakhouse.
- Visit 50s-themed Cherry Cricket – Cherry Creek, an Americano restaurant with a throwback vibe. Order off the build-your-own burger menu and taste one of the dozens of beers on offer. The diner has been grilling burgers since 1945, and it shows!
- If your bride is more into tapas than burgers, visit El Five. The restaurant is located in a penthouse and serves Spanish/Mediterranean dishes meant for sharing while you enjoy sweeping views of the city.
- Hop Alley serves Chinese food, sweet alcoholic ciders, and sorbet for dessert. The dishes here are meant for sharing, and guests have recommended the turnip cakes on repeat.
- Tavernetta is the sister restaurant to Colorado’s most famous dining destination: Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder (about 35 minutes from downtown Denver). Tavernetta is a sleek restaurant and lounge located in Union Station offering an Italian seasonal menu and a splurge-worthy wine list.
Bar suggestions
- Go to the ‘signless bar,’ which is actually named My Brother’s Bar. Order American staples like onion rings and fries while you sit on the outdoor patio and sip from a selection of seasonal, rotating draft beers, many of which are crafted right in the city.
- Forget Me Not is a bar making clever and creative cocktails. It’s a popular weekend destination, so make a reservation in advance. If you need a snack, order a cheese board to go with your drinks!
- HAZEL is a bit south of the downtown area, but it’s worth the hike. Guests have called the house martini the best they’ve ever tried. If you’re feeling brave, you can ask your server to customize cocktails for you and see what they come up with!
- Head over to Welton Room, where they specialize in both cocktails and coffee. This is an especially great venue if you have some in your party who aren’t drinkers. There’s an open kitchen design that lets you see both your drinks and food in the making.
- If you’re looking for a party atmosphere to enjoy with the ladies, check out Bar Standard, which is both a lounge and disco. There’s a rooftop deck if you get too hot on the dance floor, and there’s no cover charge to get in.
Where to Stay in Denver
There’s so much to do in Denver that you’re going to want to stay for a while. Below are a few of our favorite neighborhoods where you can find fantastic accommodations.
Union Station
Stay close to the historical Union Station, which served as the center of the city in the past. Aside from the station itself, the area is close to restaurants and other interesting sights.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- Stay at Hostel Fish with dorm-style rooms and shared spaces like the kitchen and bar. Staying in one of their 10-bed dorms can cost as little as $41 per person. The location is central, making it close to everything you want to do in the neighborhood.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- The Curtis Denver is a Hilton Hotel right next to the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Rooms average around $150/night and there’s an on-site martini bar. Suites are also available for rent if that’s more convenient for your girl gang.
$$$: Splurge Options
- Thompson Denver is a four-star hotel that’s close enough for guests to walk to Coors Field and the Denver Art Museum. There’s a French restaurant in the hotel called Chez Maggy. The hotel has a turn-down service you’ll enjoy after visiting the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, a less than one-minute walk from the hotel. However, staying here will set you back quite a lot. Rooms start at around $300 per night.
River North Arts District
Nicknamed “RiNo,” this trendy district features art galleries, concert venues, and revamped industrial buildings.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- Airbnb can be a great way to find budget-friendly options, like this Spacious Modern Loft in RiNo that sleeps 6 guests. It’s located in a brand-new building with high-end finishes, close to the heart of the action! Pricing starts at around $200 per night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- Vib Hotel by Best Western is just minutes from attractions in the RiNo district and a four-minute walk to the light rail station where you can catch the A-line to the airport or Union Station. Rooms start at around $150 per night.
- The Source Hotel includes a Market Hall with independent retail and restaurant options. The hotel features 100 design-forward rooms with a Scandinavian aesthetic. Rooms start at around $180 per night.
$$$: Splurge Options
- The Ramble Hotel is a 50-room boutique hotel with the famous Death & Co cocktail bar in the lobby (the first location outside of the cocktail bar’s NYC institution). Rooms start at around $260 per night.
Central Business District
The city’s Central Business District contains a mix of skyscrapers, hotels, restaurants, and shopping options.
$: Budget-Friendly Options
- The Slate Denver is a Hilton hotel located on the grounds of a former school, and you’ll still see schoolroom vibes throughout (like the naming of the rooms). Rooms start at around $100 per night.
$$: Mid-Tier Options
- The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa is part of Mariott’s Autograph Collection with 243 rooms on the property. The hotel also includes six restaurants and bars, as well as a boutique spa. Rooms start at around $200 per night.
$$$: Splurge Options
- If you’re looking to go all-out, the Four Seasons Denver is the place to be. The hotel boasts a restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients prepared by classically trained chefs, handcrafted cocktails at the EDGE Restaurant & Bar, and a spa with a wide selection of rejuvenating treatments. Rooms start at around $550 per night.
How to Get Around in Denver
There’s so much to see, you’re going to want to crisscross the city. To do that, you’ll need to know the best way to get around.
Downtown Denver is very walkable, and you can always hop on a bike or scooter to get around. Some hotels also offer complimentary bikes for guests. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also readily available in the city.
Denver also has a light rail network, running out of Union Station. Fares are anywhere from $3.00 to $10.50 (which takes you to the airport), which is incredibly affordable. Find which line you want to take at RTD-Denver.
If you’re heading farther out (to the ski slopes or parks outside of Denver), traveling with a car is likely the easiest. There are also shuttles that run from Denver to popular destinations like Breckenridge and Keystone.
Get Ready for Your Truly Denver Bachelorette Party
Denver is an amazing city to host a bachelorette party. It has it all – bars, beers, and breathtaking city and mountain views. Whether your bride wants to dress up like a comic book character or explore vibrant street art, you can make her wishes come true in the Mile High City.
Make sure to check out our ultimate guide to bachelorette parties to have everything you need ready. We’d love to see pictures from your trip – don’t forget to tag us on Instagram @BDR if you found this Denver bachelorette party guide helpful!