The Most Scrumptious Bars in Aurora

Angelo’s Taverna

★★★★★ 4.5 (1793) • $$

"BEST place in Denver! Highly recommend. Wine was great, atmosphere great, burrata was out of this world, and oysters were incredible! Loved the bartender too. Highly recommend!"

Panzano

★★★★☆ 4.3 (1245) • $$$

"Great dinner and service at Panzano on Wednesday night. I had a reservation for a large group, and the restaurant was great communicating with me as I ended up changing our quantity multiple times.We showed up a few minutes early for our 7:15 reservation, after I called a few hours earlier to bump it out from 6:15. Our waiter was great, and cocktails and appetizers (calamari and brussel sprouts) came out a short time later. They were both quite good.I went with the Pesce Fresco, especially after learning the white fish was halibut. It was wonderful...possibly the best piece of fish I've had since moving to Colorado. Asparagus was undercooked but wasn't horrible. Others in my group had the scallops, filet, and a few of the pasta dishes. All raved about their meals. Desserts were quite good as well. I had the chocolate mousse with almond bark concoction, while others had the tiramisu, sorbet, and a few other dishes. Everything was great."

Appaloosa Grill

★★★★☆ 3.9 (1158) • $$

"Excellent local bar/restaurant spot. They have it all -- lunch, happy hour, live bands at night. The food is pretty dang good and bartenders/servers are always awesome, And for once they actually TELL customers about added gratuity! So many spots are so sneaky about it & try to capitalize on greed. Appaloosa does NOT! Good on you all! Their Caesar salad dressing g is excellent! Yes, it comes with a bit of anchovy and it's perfect. This dressing has anchovies as a main ingredient, it surprises me how many people aren't aware of that fact. Another fun fact - Caesar salad was not created where you might think. It was invented in Tijuana, Mexico. But, the chef was Italian so there ya go. They have a nice carpaccio dish too. Oh and a super yum Cooperstown Cabernet barrel finished Rye bourbon whiskey that is to die for. Recommend allll the way!"

Shells and Sauce

★★★★☆ 4 (1033) • $$

"Oh my how do I start this. . .this place was a hidden gem within a neighborhood and it was so quaint and cute!! We decided to sit outside as we did not make an appointment and we were a party of 5. Towards the end of the dining experience, we were all a little cold BUT that was on us. Pro Tip - Make an appointment as this place busy busy busy!!As soon as we were sat, they came out and gave us our menus and gave us fresh bread boules with a balsamic vinaigrette to dip the bread in. I thought that was a nice change to the usual olive oil with balsamic vinegar. Some of the people that I was with thought that it was too vinegary but i liked it as I LOVE balsamic vinegar. lol We placed our order and soon after, we got our food and let me tell you. . .silence enveloped our table as we started to dig into the food. And you know that is the best compliment that you can give to a restaurant. . .that silence fell upon the table once the food came. The food was so freaking good! I had the chicken piccata with linguine pasta. BUT I wished that they had just served it with plain spaghetti OR fettucini so that the pasta could've picked up more of the sauce. I seriously wanted to spoon up the sauce. But then again, I have yet to meet a piccata that I did not like. The food was amazing and everything came out quickly and everything was sooooooo delicious! The free bread was good BUT they needed to proof the bread a little longer as it was a very dense bread and I could tell that the boule was underproofed. Did I eat it even though it was under proofed? Heck yeah I did! Cuz I love bread. . .or rather I love carbs. . .LOL The service was great from the hostess to the server to the bus boy to the food runner. Everyone was very friendly and willing to answer any questions. If I lived in that neighborhood, I'd be in so much trouble as I would be here almost everyday! LOL Just come and eat here. You won't regret it!"

Shanahan's Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.1 (889) • $$$$

"Came with my family to celebrate my aunt's 50th birthday! We were greeted with very nice service starting from the valet to when we were seated. The ambiance was very modern, dim lighting vibes. Daniel was a great waiter and very patient with my family as we were getting situated and figuring out our order. We ordered a variety of items:Apps: Escargot (kind of salty for us, but the bread was great)Octopus Main Entrees: Wagyu TomahawkWagyy StripPorterhouseChilean Sea Bass (all loved this dish)Collosal crab cake and prawns (everything was delicious including the sauce)Ahi Tuna SashimiSides:Garlic Mashed PotatoesCreamed CornBrussel SproutsMac n cheese (truffle & the lobster one)Loaded baked potatoThe steaks were all delicious and cooked to what we each ordered perfectly. Overall we all walked away very stuffed and my family enjoyed the experience."

SOL Mexican Cocina

★★★★☆ 4 (850) • $$

"Thomas was exceptionally kind and efficient. I dined here with friends, and we all enjoyed a delicious meal and had a fantastic time. The live music was soft, and the windows were open. The goat cheese appetizer is definitely a must-try! The tropical ceviche was incredible as well. It was fresh, spicy, sweet, and salty all at once. The beet and sweet potato chips served with the ceviche were genius. I can't wait to visit again!"

Ace Eat Serve

★★★★☆ 3.5 (993) • $$$

"I had no idea Ace Eat Serve specialized in Asian cuisine! I planned a triple date here on a weekday evening, eating dinner in the restaurant area first, then taking advantage of the 2 hours of pong time that came with our reservation. Happy Hour prices are amazing. I wasn't impressed with any of the fried food (most of the menu) but full-sized ramen for $11 is a steal. Worth coming for that. I got the Spicy Pork Ramen, while my partner ordered the Khao Soi.The cocktails were tasty (sooo many options!) all of which we enjoyed while taking turns on the ping pong table. The tables were spaced out plenty, and I loved exploring the Lucky Cat Lounge when I wasn't playing. I also found it amusing that all the messed-up balls were crammed into the walls. Great vibes and obviously perfect for personal and corporate parties. Parking wasn't bad. Service is great. Definitely coming back at some point."

Cafe Terracotta

★★★★☆ 4.3 (656) • $$

"After multiple visits, a few for brunch, and another few for dinner) over the last few years, I can up this to 5 stars - the food is consistently delicious and well prepared. The service is pretty consistently good - though it sometimes feels a little slow, it's fast enough to let you meet the 2-hour street parking time limit, even with appetizers and dessert. And having their own parking lot, however small, is a plus for any popular Colorado neighborhood. Most recently, my husband got the braised short rib, which was as tender and delicious as it was when I got it about 1.5yrs ago. Our friends got the arctic char (she loved it and I was ALMOST jealous) and the prime rib (he loved this as well and it had that typical smoked crust encasing it so it did not look like your typical prime rib). I was having difficulty deciding between a few dishes and our server (in so sorry I don't recall his name) immediately recommended the dirty risotto, which was FABULOUS and immediately took me to NOLA on the first bite. We started with the calamari, which frankly I thought was average, and the gouda butternut squash dip, which I thought was lovely. And finished with "chocolate pudding," which was only a mistake in that I should have stopped eating with about 3 bites left of my risotto. We will happily continue to return."

The Brutal Poodle

★★★★★ 4.6 (547) • $$

"@brutalpoodle's unique combination of heavy metal and gastro pub atmosphere has contributed to their success over the past 6 years in several ways. Firstly, it has helped them carve out a distinct identity in the competitive bar and restaurant industry, allowing them to stand out and attract a loyal customer base. Their combination of heavy metal music and a gastro pub atmosphere creates a memorable and immersive experience for patrons, setting them apart from traditional bars and eateries.Secondly, this unique combination has allowed @brutalpoodle to tap into niche markets, appealing to both heavy metal fans and food enthusiasts. By catering to specific interests and offering a diverse experience, they have been able to attract a broad range of customers, resulting in a consistent and diverse clientele.Furthermore, the fusion of heavy metal and gastro pub atmosphere has provided @brutalpoodle with a strong brand image and a strong sense of community. This has helped them build a dedicated following, with many patrons becoming regulars and spreading the word about their establishment through word-of-mouth and social media.Overall, the unique combination of heavy metal and gastro pub atmosphere at @brutalpoodle has set them apart from their competitors, attracted a diverse customer base, and fostered a strong sense of community, all of which have contributed to their success over the past 6 years."

Bar Dough

★★★★☆ 4 (696) • $$

"$100 for a great meal for two. What we got: Margherita pizza & mushroom ravioli. Pizza was pretty standard, crust was delicious. Ravioli was so so good and well portioned. Drinks are a little on the pricier end, but we're used to Dallas prices. Environment: We grabbed a seat in front of the kitchen right before rush dinner hour. Very clean and beautiful decor. Service: Didn't get his name, but our waiter was such a cool guy; kind, friendly, knowledgeable, checked in on us just the right amount of times. Side note: pizza chef needs a hell of a raise. Idc how much he's making - he's not making enough. That man puts in work."

Dos Santos

★★★★☆ 4.1 (661) • $$

"Came here on a Tuesday for dinner. The staff were very attentive, and we were seated very quickly. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available. The drinks were great and super strong. The food is what you would expect. Not traditional Mexican food and nothing special or stand out about this place, but it was fine. I did take one star off because they were out of almost everything. Except to pay around 40-50$ per person for a few tacos and two drinks. I wouldn't come out of my way to come here but it was an okay spot. Overall 3.5/5"

T/ACO an Urban Taqueria

★★★★☆ 4 (687) • $$

"This place has a very cool atmosphere and a great vibe with just the people, the music and the inside decor. It's kind of divey but not if that makes sense. I met up w some old high school friends. I ordered a chicken quesadilla and the portion was enough for 3 people. It's was very cheesy and tasted okay, it definitely could use some more seasonings! For our appetizer we got the chips queso and three different salsas. I really liked it a lot. Our server Kevin was beyond amazing and just such great customer service. We had a few hiccups but he IMMEDIATELY rectified it. Overall a cool place but I probably won't be back just cause I'm super picky w my Mexican food. But great atmosphere. Oh I almost forgot I got the sopaphias those were soooo good"

Maggiano's Little Italy

★★★★☆ 3.5 (853) • $$

"The ambiance and atmosphere were great as always! I will say the service of the staff were great this visit and they took special care of us as I had an older guest with mobility issues and walker. Our server BRYAN was absolutely amazing - attentive, friendly, patient and simply on top of it. Be on the lookout for him when dining here the service he had was 10/10. ^_^The food? Oh so good and so, I'll tell you. We had a couple of appetizers: the zucchini, and spinach and artichoke dip. (The bread that comes with it ? Spectacular, it was so soft! ) Main dishes : fettuccines, and the baked ziti both 10/10. I literally want some more now. Got some mashed potatoes which were also yummy. Drinks: get the pom martini! Overall- great visit, great food, great family times. 'Til next time!"

Corinne

★★★★☆ 4 (607) • $$

"This was by far the best restaurant I visited in Denver. The vibe is sleek and cozy and there's a small bar seating area for 8 people. I first stopped by for brunch right after I came from the airport. The bartender was so nice and friendly. I had the Chicken Philly Skillet. It sounded heavy but it was just right with tasty chicken, grilled peppers, onions, potatoes and lots of cheese.They also have a great happy hour menu with affordable bites and discount drinks!."

Hop Alley

★★★★☆ 4.1 (562) • $$$

"This was my husband and I's first time and it definitely blew our minds! As we entered the restaurant, it looks a little small but there is more seating. I really appreciate the cooks visible and a bar seating area. We went on a Saturday night around 6pm and luckily we were able to be seated right away! Food --Chilled Tofu 5/5 -- my favorite dish!! Everything paired so well together and it was spectacular. It is really flavorful and the juice can be overpowering but I rec eating it with rice!! Hong You Chao Shou 5/5 -- really tasty and flavorful. The chili oil is a little spicy and would rec putting it on the side. Mushroom Fried Rice 4/5 -- the rice was really great and the mushroom was super flavorful! The only thing I felt about this dish was that it was a little salty. Braised Pork Shank 5/5 -- the flavor was amazing! When you make a sandwich, it pair nicely was the fermented veggies! It complimented each other. Overall, I was definitely amazed by the food! The service was great when it came to filling our cup but our waitress didn't really come by often. Def great!"

Little India Restaurant & Bar 6th Ave

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (806) • $$

"Solid spot with a nice ambiance and a good lunch buffet. While the options for the lunch buffet was a bit more limited than other lunch buffet, it's still worthwhile.My favorite thing was their tandoori chicken and I added their mango chutney to it. The creamed spinach was also really good.The service was good, ultimately you help yourself and they will bring you whatever drinks you want and naan bread.I've had other places I like better but still overall if you're craving a good Indian place and you're in the area, this place should do the trick.I would come back, happy eating!!"

Hapa Sushi Grill and Sake Bar

★★★★☆ 3.7 (671) • $$

"(The review is based on a happy hour experience at 3pm Monday)1. The serving staff was great. I had Jess as my server and she was was very accommodating with my allergies, and very friendly! I felt truly taken care of. 2. The sushi went beyond my expectations for $12 for two rolls. First- the salmon avocado rolls were MASSIVE. I do recommend them-- on top of that-- the fish was very fresh and delicious. 3. The drink deals were great albeit my non-participation. Overall-- this place is killer at happy hour. Will absolutely be coming back!"

North Side Tavern Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (495) • $$

"Amazing food and it's a comfortable atmosphere. Every meal I've ordered here has been awesome. Great service too!"

The Perfect Landing Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.5 (733) • $$

"We sat quickly with a call ahead. We didn't get a table by the window (you have to reserve these) but you could still see the planes from our seat and the kids watched at the window periodically. Service was quick and food came out SO fast. Definitely looks and feels high end so I was afraid my kids would be out of place but luckily it wasn't super busy so it was fine to let them roam around while we ate. The food was good. Each entree comes with a bakery item which satisfied my savory + sweet craving. I got the chilaquiles and the flavors were awesome my only critique is the chips were soggy. Pancakes were thick and fluffy, bakery muffins are huge and dense and delicious."

Yazoo BBQ Company

★★★★☆ 4.1 (517) • $

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (600) • $$

"We've been to Bad Daddy's a couple times- I have to say, I had the best time at the seating area by the bar, bc it's name suggests as such, but when you're seated in the dining area, it doesn't give that same feel... Anyway, food is good- you can select whatever you want to go on a burger, we love fried pickles, so we had those and drinks- love me an Angry Apple orchard on tap I honestly wanted to write a review so I meet my 25th review milestone, but also to post the drinks... there's no photo on Yelp to determine what they've got So, here ya go!"

Stem Ciders

★★★★☆ 4.4 (445) • $$

"3.5 stars. Another RiNo eatery checked off the list! I've been procrastinating on Stem because cider isn't my alcoholic beverage of choice. But it was conveniently located near friends I was hanging out with, so we grabbed some barstools on the outdoor patio (it was PACKED) until a few tables opened up. Service is excellent, but it felt chaotic and a little slow.I had a cider flight (that's the way to go) though they were out of a few selections. Delicious variety that educated me on the possibility of cider flavors. Got a lamb burger and fries to go with the flight. The fries were better than the lamb and overall wasn't impressed by the food, but would definitely come back for cider if I was ever craving that."

The Yak and Yeti - Westminster

★★★★☆ 3.9 (565) • $$

"You cannot beat The Yak when it comes to fantastic, consistent across locations, Indian food. Yak & Yeti is our go to as a family. Our daughter was home for the weekend from college and had been missing Indian food. This location has plenty of parking and is easy to get to. There is ample seating in the dining room. The staff is welcoming and our waters were never empty.We ordered three entrees for the four of us to share, but we all got our own order of Naan. Because, naan, right? Cannot get enough of that stuff. They give you Papadams when you sit down with several chutneys. The cilantro and the tamarind are my favorites.We had both chicken and sweet potato Tikka Masala as well as Tandoori chicken. It was paired with their seasoned rice. The onions and peppers that came with the Tandoori were tasty. Go, just go! If you have not had the wonderful food at a Yak & Yeti location, you need to go!"

Los Dos Potrillos - Highlands Ranch

★★★★☆ 3.8 (544) • $$

"This place is awesome, and the service is fast! I'm a fan of chips and salsa, and Los Dos Potrillos does not disappoint in terms of its chips and salsa. We probably had about eight bowls of the salsa because it was so good - and it had a kick to it. The portion sizes definitely were not small, either - I was stuffed by the end of the meal! I had the steak street tacos. The ambiance was decent, but it felt busy. We only had to wait around 10 minutes to be seated. Our server was very kind and made us feel right at home. He also let us know that they have a new location that opened up in Castle Rock - and he made sure to mention that the food there is just as good!"

Castle Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.9 (514) • $$

"Fresh baked bread, and some of the best Spinach Artichoke dip I have had in Colorado. The service was average, and the prices were fair. We sat outside on a lovely fall day and the area is beautiful in Castle Rock's downtown area. I am excited to go back and try their chicken (which is what they are known for)"

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (477) • $$

"Bad Daddy Burger Bar exceeded my expectations. I'm a vegetarian and they have made a impossible with a variety of different sauces and buns. If you want you can also order a burger on lettuce. But, really that's sacrileges to the experience of a burger place.The place is clean and to date the staff is friendly and the service is top-notch compared to most restaurants."

Patzcuaro's

★★★★☆ 4.1 (451) • $$

"Still a great place for tacos and carnitas. It's great to see the original owner is still cooking and running around! I was hoping to get my usual buche tacos, but we were informed that they no longer serve buche as the new population of the very much gentrified neighborhood isn't interested in the popular and traditional Mexican food. I'm hoping my review speaks to the new tenants of the neighborhood in hopes that other things such as menudo doesn't also fall off of the menu. Instead of contributing to the fall of a historically Latinx/Xicano neighborhood, I ask that you please support, uplift, and uphold the traditions (in this case, food) of the area."

Billy's Inn - Denver

★★★★☆ 3.9 (478) • $$

Yard House

★★★★☆ 3.5 (575) • $$

"Happy hour is a must! Half priced selection appetizers and pizzas. $2 off cocktails. The chicken and fries were only $7! The Malibu peach cocktail was absolutely delicious! I had 2!"

Abrusci's Fire & Vine

★★★★☆ 3.7 (500) • $$

"This was our first time at this location. We used to go to the Cherry Creek location many years ago before they closed. We had family in town and they were coming down from the mountains and love Italian food and so we picked Abrusci's to meet at. We didn't have a reservation and they said it would be about a 45 minute wait. We walked to the bar to order a drink while we wait and spotted a table and was told we could sit there since it is considered bar seating. Perfect! We cancelled our name at the front and sat immediately. Our server was awesome. I wish I could remember his name. He was super nice, quick, and great with recommendations. I tried something new and got the Al Fresca pasta dish. It was so light and the sauce was addicting. Great dish, especially for a vegetarian dish. I would totally order that again. Everyone loved everything they got as well and ended the evening with some delicious cannolis. Man were those good! Great cocktails too. Cool vibe, love their garage doors that roll up making your indoor seating outdoor. It made the restaurant brighter and feel more open. Love it!"

Mezcal

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (626) • $$

"Best meal I've had in a while! I enjoyed the service, we were greeted, seated, and served promptly. The decor was eclectic and culturally aligned for lack of better words. I had the ceviche (not picture), dos combinaciones (included chile relleno, chicken tinga tostado, carne enchilada), and a glass of cranberry juice. All of it was delicious! It was flavorful and filling."

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Colorado Mills

★★★★☆ 3.9 (437) • $$$

"A great restaurant serving excellent steaks and seafood entres. I always enjoy the Keg Classics which combine side dishes at a lower cost. Ordered the rib steak which was wonderful and cooked to perfect medium rare. Wife always gets the salmon which she loves! Can't complain about the meal and our server was good, but sometimes late on delivery of sides. Here's the best deal that a lot of people don't take advantage of is the birthday bogo. Sign up and take advantage of the great dinner deal. Saves a ton of money. I highly recommend the Keg for a solid dinner without breaking the bank!"

Bar Louie

★★★☆☆ 3 (729) • $$

"Still 3 stars until our next experience- yes we will try it again. Management reached out and has hopefully resolved the issues we had. Kudos to them for paying attention and working to fix things! Thank you!"

Grande Station

★★★★☆ 4.3 (353) • $$

"A really cute spot in Littleton. Review based on how we felt so welcomed right away by the staff, the uniqueness of ambience and food quality. We were not too hungry so my husband and I shared a Rueben Sandwich and we each had a beer. The Rueben was one of the best we've ever had! Very cute restaurant on a corner. Perfect to people watch!"

Fuzzy's Taco Shop

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (558) • $

"I'm always looking for a good taco spot! I've walked by this place so many times but never went in. A friend wanted to go because she missed the locations in Texas so I went with her. And it was really good! We were shocked that we got served at the table we were sitting at and didn't have to order at the front. I didn't get the server's name but he was super busy and still provided us great service. He made me a virgin margarita that was delicious and the food was also very good. I will definitely be back!"