👹 Le Rougarou (Five Points)
Inspired by the Southern roots of local restaurateurs Mclain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Le Rougarou is focused on pairing late-night wine and cocktails with elevated homestyle cooking set to swampy tunes. Their Vieille Tomate is a tomato-y, citrus-y, cocktail with wine and tequila, while their mai tai supreme blends lime, multiple rums, and salty almond over crushed ice. Which is to say, there’s something for everyone.
Know before you go: There’s live music every Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. in Le Rougarou’s backyard.
🍸 Coffee Sarap (RiNo)
Cold foam fanatics, rise up! RiNo’s Filipino-inspired café, Coffee Sarap has iced coffees swirling with foamy flavors like pandan, ube, white chocolate, and lavender — yum! On their matcha menu, you’ll find a matcha-mansi soda, which combines honey, soda, matcha and calamansi, a citrus fruit from the Philippines, in a frothy green tea drink.
Know before you go: In the evenings, this coffee shop transforms into Barkada Bar, where you can order martinis and margaritas flavored with calamansi.
🍹 Adrift (Baker)
Polynesian-inspired libations and tropical island vibes run the show at Adrift, a longstanding South Broadway tiki bar. Adrift’s signature cocktail, topped with mint and served in a tropical motif cup, is just one of many transportive drinks on the menu. Choose from daiquiris, margaritas, chi chi’s, and all other varieties of boozy bevs, blended or on the rocks. Their selection of N/A drinks isn’t bad either, with a painkiller, a mai-tai, and more.
Know before you go: Learn the history and craft behind the legendary scorpion bowl cocktail from Trader Vince, Adrift’s bar manager, at their upcoming event on July 19.
🌵 Desert Social Bar and Lounge (Platt Park)
Denver has been feeling as hot as a desert lately, so why not lean into the theme and hit up Desert Social Bar and Lounge? Minimal adobe walls, rustic wood beams, and straw furniture create an aesthetic that begs for a refreshing drink. Whether you order their Argentinian tequila batanga or the creamy coconut ube colada, let the limes — and the good times — keep you cool.
Know before you go: Customers say they love the extensive and delicious mocktail menu here, too, so it’s a perfect spot that groups with drinkers and non-drinkers can enjoy.
