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9 Local Denver Spots for a Great Bourbon Cocktail

From killer rooftop views to a hot sushi spot

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This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

With so many new places popping up and plenty of old school restaurants serving up noteworthy experiences, Bulleit Bourbon believes it’s time to get back out there and support the local bars in the Mile High City. After all, they aren’t just a place to grab a drink. They’re part of what makes Denver, Denver. Keep them pouring by ordering a whiskey cocktail or two — the first round’s on Bulleit.

Bulleit Bourbon believes the best way to help our local bar communities is to get back to the bar. To make that happen, they’ve established a $250,000 fund that will reimburse your first drink back through their digital rebate program. You can submit your receipt at LocalBarSundays.com.*

*Available in qualifying states. Terms and Conditions of those states apply and can be found at LocalBarSundays.com/en-us/Rules

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ViewHouse Ballpark

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No matter when you visit, or where you decide to sit, the vibe at Viewhouse is laid back and comfortable, and there’s something for everyone, including a view of Coors Field. Start with a cup of pork green chili, followed by blue crab enchiladas or the herb-roasted cauliflower bowl. To drink, there are seven different Mule cocktails on the menu, once made with Bulleit Bourbon. There’s also the Southern Peach, a refreshing cocktail made with Bulleit Bourbon, Champagne, peach purée, lemon juice, and rosemary-maple simple syrup.

Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row

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Downtown, in the Ballpark area, this ultimate whiskey joint is unlike anything else in the neighborhood. For those feeling bold, order Bulleit Bourbon straight up along with a 10-hour brisket sandwich on the side. Or, head down the path less traveled with the cocktail A Little Bit Sideways (Bulleit Rye, crème de banana liqueur and Fee Brothers black walnut bitters) and a plate of hot chicken sliders with a side of sweet potato fries.

Urban Farmer

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Urban Farmer in Downtown Denver is focused on seasonal, local, produce — some so local they grow a few things in house. If you can’t decide on what steak to get, choose the steak tasting with five-ounces each of beef that’s been dry-aged, grass-fed, and grain-finished. While oysters and mushrooms are cooked to your liking table-side, sip on the Butter Pecan Old Fashioned, a rift on the classic drink, but with butter-pecan-washed Amaro Nonino added to the mix.

Hillstone

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The Denver outlet of Hillstone serves small parties in a cozy, bright dining room located in the heart of Cherry Creek. Pair the signature French dip with an equally traditional drink, the Old Fashioned, which is made with Bulleit Bourbon, Angostura bitters and an orange twist. It’s a combination as old school as the Hillstone Restaurant Group, which has been around since 1977. Have your meal outside when the weather is nice, or inside at one of the fern-colored booths. Because the space is small, it’s recommended to make a reservation first, especially if your party is larger than three people. 

Quality Italian

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This high-end Italian joint in Cherry Creek has one of Denver’s best chicken Parmesan dishes, which can easily serve two hungry adults, and once your meal of hand-crafted ricotta with Colorado honey, locally-made salumi by Denver’s Elevation Artisan Meats, and baked lasagna, don’t miss the table-side cannoli cart. The bar also serves up classic cocktails with an Italian twist, like the Old Bro Tipple made with Bulleit Bourbon, Leopold Bros. Aperitivo Maraschino and house-made vermouth. 

Cherry Creek Grill

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This Cherry Creek staple is known for its roasted chicken, lamb, and pork. Grab a seat at the horseshoe-shaped bar and settle into a dram of bourbon with a kale and rotisserie chicken salad. Or, reserve a dark and cozy booth and try the classic Old Fashioned (Bulleit Bourbon and Angostura bitters) with the rotisserie Colorado leg of lamb sandwich.

Historians Ale House

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This unique spot on South Broadway has one of the only rooftop spaces in the neighborhood. Go for the views of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains, stay for a burger, a side of bacon-laced macaroni and cheese, and a tipple from the South Broadway restaurant’s large, world-wide whiskey list. Here you can’t go wrong, whether you choose green chili cheese fries with a dram of Bulleit Bourbon, or a peanut butter and jelly laden burger with fries and an Old Fashioned with Bulleit Rye.

Sushi Den

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Sidle up the long sushi bar at this Washington Park staple, and get ready to indulge in some of the freshest fish in Denver, paired with Japanese-inspired drinks. While sake dominates the menu, the signature cocktails shouldn’t be missed. Try the 5 Rings, a magical mixture of Bulleit Bourbon, Hakutake Kinjo shochu, fresh lemon, and ginger. It’s a great way to start your meal of sushi, wagyu beef kushiyaki, and duck udon. 

Shanahan's Steakhouse

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Take a seat on a blue leather chair and take a gander at former American football coach of the Denver Broncos Mike Shanahan’s trophies, all from his Super Bowl victories. No matter what sizzling cut of steak you order, the best drink to stand up to a dry-aged side of beef is an aged cocktail like the Barrel-Aged Manhattan, made with Bulleit whiskey, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters.

This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

ViewHouse Ballpark

No matter when you visit, or where you decide to sit, the vibe at Viewhouse is laid back and comfortable, and there’s something for everyone, including a view of Coors Field. Start with a cup of pork green chili, followed by blue crab enchiladas or the herb-roasted cauliflower bowl. To drink, there are seven different Mule cocktails on the menu, once made with Bulleit Bourbon. There’s also the Southern Peach, a refreshing cocktail made with Bulleit Bourbon, Champagne, peach purée, lemon juice, and rosemary-maple simple syrup.

Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row

Downtown, in the Ballpark area, this ultimate whiskey joint is unlike anything else in the neighborhood. For those feeling bold, order Bulleit Bourbon straight up along with a 10-hour brisket sandwich on the side. Or, head down the path less traveled with the cocktail A Little Bit Sideways (Bulleit Rye, crème de banana liqueur and Fee Brothers black walnut bitters) and a plate of hot chicken sliders with a side of sweet potato fries.

Urban Farmer

Urban Farmer in Downtown Denver is focused on seasonal, local, produce — some so local they grow a few things in house. If you can’t decide on what steak to get, choose the steak tasting with five-ounces each of beef that’s been dry-aged, grass-fed, and grain-finished. While oysters and mushrooms are cooked to your liking table-side, sip on the Butter Pecan Old Fashioned, a rift on the classic drink, but with butter-pecan-washed Amaro Nonino added to the mix.

Hillstone

The Denver outlet of Hillstone serves small parties in a cozy, bright dining room located in the heart of Cherry Creek. Pair the signature French dip with an equally traditional drink, the Old Fashioned, which is made with Bulleit Bourbon, Angostura bitters and an orange twist. It’s a combination as old school as the Hillstone Restaurant Group, which has been around since 1977. Have your meal outside when the weather is nice, or inside at one of the fern-colored booths. Because the space is small, it’s recommended to make a reservation first, especially if your party is larger than three people. 

Quality Italian

This high-end Italian joint in Cherry Creek has one of Denver’s best chicken Parmesan dishes, which can easily serve two hungry adults, and once your meal of hand-crafted ricotta with Colorado honey, locally-made salumi by Denver’s Elevation Artisan Meats, and baked lasagna, don’t miss the table-side cannoli cart. The bar also serves up classic cocktails with an Italian twist, like the Old Bro Tipple made with Bulleit Bourbon, Leopold Bros. Aperitivo Maraschino and house-made vermouth. 

Cherry Creek Grill

This Cherry Creek staple is known for its roasted chicken, lamb, and pork. Grab a seat at the horseshoe-shaped bar and settle into a dram of bourbon with a kale and rotisserie chicken salad. Or, reserve a dark and cozy booth and try the classic Old Fashioned (Bulleit Bourbon and Angostura bitters) with the rotisserie Colorado leg of lamb sandwich.

Historians Ale House

This unique spot on South Broadway has one of the only rooftop spaces in the neighborhood. Go for the views of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains, stay for a burger, a side of bacon-laced macaroni and cheese, and a tipple from the South Broadway restaurant’s large, world-wide whiskey list. Here you can’t go wrong, whether you choose green chili cheese fries with a dram of Bulleit Bourbon, or a peanut butter and jelly laden burger with fries and an Old Fashioned with Bulleit Rye.

Sushi Den

Sidle up the long sushi bar at this Washington Park staple, and get ready to indulge in some of the freshest fish in Denver, paired with Japanese-inspired drinks. While sake dominates the menu, the signature cocktails shouldn’t be missed. Try the 5 Rings, a magical mixture of Bulleit Bourbon, Hakutake Kinjo shochu, fresh lemon, and ginger. It’s a great way to start your meal of sushi, wagyu beef kushiyaki, and duck udon. 

Shanahan's Steakhouse

Take a seat on a blue leather chair and take a gander at former American football coach of the Denver Broncos Mike Shanahan’s trophies, all from his Super Bowl victories. No matter what sizzling cut of steak you order, the best drink to stand up to a dry-aged side of beef is an aged cocktail like the Barrel-Aged Manhattan, made with Bulleit whiskey, Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur, sweet vermouth, and a dash of bitters.

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