Entry No. 136 — the Denver file — filed under: speakeasy
License No. 1
License No. 1 is a dimly lit, Prohibition-era cocktail den in the basement of the historic Hotel Boulderado, still operating under the very liquor license first issued in 1969 when once-dry Boulder finally allowed spirits. Plush leather booths, dark wood paneling, a billiards room, and meticulously crafted pre-Prohibition classics make it feel like you've slipped into a 1920s gentlemen's club beneath the streets of Boulder.
The move: Arrive at dusk and settle into a leather booth for a round of spirit-forward Old Fashioneds and chef-prepared small plates, then challenge each other to a game of billiards in the classic billiards room — close out the night by asking the bartender about the history of Boulder's dry years and the story behind that original license.
📍 Before you go There's no street-level door — enter the historic Hotel Boulderado at 13th and Spruce, walk through the 1909 lobby (the stained-glass canopy and grand staircase are worth a look), and head downstairs to the lower level, the old Catacombs space. It's a 21-plus cocktail lounge, and the intimate underground room fills up on weekend evenings, so go earlier or be ready to wait; booking ahead for a weekend is a safe bet. Being below ground makes it a reliable cold- or rainy-night option. Downtown parking is metered streets plus public garages, and the Pearl Street pedestrian mall is a few blocks away for a stroll or dinner before or after.
- 📍 Boulder
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2115 13th St (lower level, Hotel Boulderado), Boulder, CO 80302
Hours: Mined 2026-06-07 — confirm current hours before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · boulderado.com
last checked: 2026-06-07