LoDo, short for Lower Downtown, is a dynamic neighborhood where Denver’s history meets a modern revival. Red-brick warehouses from the 19th century sit beside repurposed dairies turned into lively entertainment microdistricts, and Larimer Square, the city’s oldest commercial block, continues to attract standout restaurants and bars. Coors Field anchors the area, reminding visitors that a cold beer is never far away. Though canned lager is a classic at a Rockies game, LoDo offers many more memorable drinking and dining experiences all within a compact, walkable area.
Your exploration can start as soon as you arrive: an efficient 40-minute train links Denver International Airport to Union Station. The station’s Beaux-Arts and Romanesque architecture opens onto a lively public space with restaurants, boutique shops and The Crawford Hotel. The hotel uses the former ticket counter as Terminal Bar, while Cooper Lounge, an airy second-floor space overlooking the concourse, provides a more intimate environment.
Bollinger Champagne and citrus tart at Baumé © Kelly Magyarics
Hotel bars are a highlight in this district. Enter The Cruise Room at The Oxford Hotel and you’ll feel transported onto an elegant ocean liner. Built in 1933 by the designer of the Observatory Lounge on the Queen Mary, the bar radiates an Art Deco atmosphere with crimson lighting, metal-covered menus and murals inspired by global ports. Signature cocktails include the High Tea—Earl Grey–infused gin with bergamot, rose petal and lemon—and a flawlessly prepared Reverse Martini.
At The Maven Hotel in the Dairy Block, guests receive a daily wooden token redeemable for a happy hour drink at Kachina Cantina or Poka Lola Social Club. Both establishments spill onto the sidewalk to take advantage of warm Denver weather. Poka Lola offers a playful twist on a Porn Star Martini called P.S. I Love You, while Ride or Die, a nonalcoholic option in the complex, blends strawberry-kiwi with basil, matcha and white balsamic for a refreshing mocktail experience.
Nearby, find the subterranean Run for the Roses through an alley marked by a neon “cocktail” sign and a door made to look like a racing ticket window. Inside, the dimly lit, intimate space offers a deck of recipe cards for ordering inventive drinks like Doctor’s Orders with tequila, or The Pathfinder, a bright, vegetable-forward mix of carrot, ginger, lemon and celery that feels almost restorative.
Wine lovers will find thoughtful pairings across LoDo. At Mercantile, two-course lunches often pair dishes with well-matched wines: an asparagus and endive salad with lemon vinaigrette harmonizes with a crisp Pfalz Müller-Thurgau, while salmon over farro and sun-dried tomato pairs nicely with a Chianti that offers lively acidity and dusty cherry notes.
A short walk brings you to Tavernetta, where housemade pastas vie for attention. The francobolli—pasta shaped like postage stamps—tossed with English peas, pancetta and cippolini onions is a standout; try it with a glass of Sicilian Etna Bianco or a robust Etna Rosso for a satisfying balance.
For a more adventurous beverage program, reserve the chef’s counter at BRUTO. While wine pairings are possible, the restaurant encourages a broader tasting experience that may include saké, inventive cocktails and craft ciders alongside an 11-course menu. Dishes change frequently but could include tender sweetbreads over crispy grains with red vermouth or a celebrated boule of charred bread paired with an expressive orange wine.
No visit to LoDo is complete without a stop at Baumé, a dessert and Champagne bar that offers an elegant, intimate setting. Sink into a plush wing-backed chair and savor a tangy yuzu curd tart alongside a flute of Bollinger Special Cuvée. It’s a decadent finish that reflects the neighborhood itself: layered, stylish and sparkling with personality.