Entry No. 116 — the Denver file — filed under: speakeasy
Bernard's Tiki Room
“Most people drinking downstairs never realize the phone booth goes anywhere”
The Arvada Tavern is Olde Town's original cocktail bar, but the real secret is upstairs: Bernard's Tiki Room, a rum-soaked Polynesian lounge you reach by stepping into a nondescript old phone booth and through the wall behind it. It only runs a few nights a week, with classic tiki drinks, the occasional live band, and a cozy room that feels a world away from the tavern below. Most people drinking downstairs never realize the phone booth goes anywhere. Reservations help, since the room is small and weekend-only.
The move: Start with a cocktail downstairs at the Tavern, then slip through the phone booth into Bernard's for tiki drinks and a live band in the tiny upstairs lounge.
📍 Before you go Look for The Arvada Tavern on Olde Wadsworth in walkable Olde Town Arvada — there's no separate Bernard's storefront. Once inside, the old phone booth near the front is the way up; its back wall swings open to the stairs. The room is tiny and only opens a few nights a week (typically later in the week into the weekend, with live bands on weekend nights — schedules shift, so check ahead and consider reserving). Olde Town's street parking fills on weekend evenings; the free RTD garage by the Harkins theater on the south side is the easy fallback, and the G Line light rail drops you a short walk away. Make a night of it — Olde Town's restaurants and bars are all within a few blocks.
- 📍 Arvada (Olde Town)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: Upstairs at The Arvada Tavern, 5707 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO — entered through the phone booth at the front of the Tavern
Hours: Weekend-only; generally evenings after 6pm Thu-Sat (live bands Fri/Sat). Small room — call The Arvada Tavern (303-690-6269) to confirm/reserve.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: 303magazine.com · Instagram · tastingtable.com
last checked: 2026-06-07