There are safe places and then, there are spots that proudly affirm and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Queer-run restaurants, bars, and breweries offer just that all year long. Make a concentrated effort to stop in during Pride Month and show your support, all while eating great food and drinking amazing beverages.
For more queer-owned local businesses beyond the dining scene, be sure to bookmark the directory from Queer Denver Living and download the Everywhere Is Queer app. Both are valuable resources for finding community and showing up as an ally.
But back to what you’re here for — fabulous drag brunches, food hall finds, late-night venues, and more spots championing visibility. Here are 18 queer-run places to drink and dine in Denver.
Queer-Owned Denver Restaurants
Champagne Tiger
Since its debut last summer, Champagne Tiger has become a beloved establishment on East Colfax Avenue. Queer-owned drinking spots including Buddies and X Bar also appear on the block, but the “gayborhood” was long missing a restaurant. With his new French-American diner, owner Chris Donato has fulfilled that need and more.
Leaning on years of fine dining experience, he crafted an indulgent, yet playful menu starring a Caviar Ashtray appetizer ($48), happy hour oysters ($2.50), and a Tater Tot Waffle ($37) served during weekend drag brunch. Wednesday evenings feature fresh pasta specials and piano entertainment, adding to the retro glam of this indoor-outdoor venue. 601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, champagnetiger.com
Wilde
Formerly based in San Diego, owner and chef Lydie Lovett channeled those sunny, coastal vibes into her brunch restaurant, Wilde. Pastel hues and sun-bleached wood transport visitors away from the Sunnyside neighborhood, as does the regionally-inspired menu. Start with an Afternoon Delight spritz ($13) featuring prosecco, orange bitters, and pamplemousse liqueur, or go all in with bottomless mimosas ($24).
As far as entrees, you can’t go wrong with the crab cake Benedict ($18) or the eatery’s signature: a Baja Breakfast Burrito ($15) brimming with carne asada, scrambled eggs, guacamole, cheddar, crisp fries, and jalapeño crema. 3618 Tejon St., Denver, wilderestaurantdenver.com
Hamburger Mary’s
This little purple house in City Park West is big on burgers and bold entertainment. Hosted by local celebrity queen Jessica L’Whor, weekend drag brunch is this local franchise’s claim to fame. Let loose with a mimosa bottle ($22) and a delightfully greasy spread of Breakfast Sliders ($14.95), plus an order of the Hot Mess ($15.95) featuring layers of crispy “tater ta-ta’s,” shredded cheese, scrambled eggs, your choice of breakfast protein, and a smothering of green chili.
Beyond brunch, Hamburger Mary’s offers drag bingo and karaoke, along with a dinner menu including a variety of artisanal burgers, creamy mac and cheese, and more fare to enjoy indoors or on its spacious patio. 1336 E. 17th Ave., Denver, milehighmarys.com
Slideshow Sliders
Slideshow Sliders is a staple at Edgewater Public Market, as it’s occupied the food hall since its debut in 2019. Get familiar with the menu by ordering its mix-and-match deal, which comes with your choice of either two ($10.75) or three ($13.75) gourmet burgers. Though small, they deliver big flavors with options like its Steakhouse slider featuring melty gouda, fried onions, and A.1. mayo; as well as the Fig and Goat Cheese burger, Korean Sloppy Joe, and more. Order the Crispy Brussels Sprouts ($7.75) coated in sweet Thai chili sauce or a side of Truffle Fries ($7.75) to make it a meal. 5505 W. 20th Ave., Edgewater, slideshowsliders.com
Pig & Tiger / Peko Peko
Co-founder Travis Masar, who identifies as queer, and business partner Darren Chang launched Pig & Tiger at the Avanti food hall in Boulder in 2020. Last June, the chef duo switched the vendor stall to Peko Peko, a Japanese concept that serves flavorful ramen and rice bowls which range from $15 to $17.
Meanwhile, the Taiwanese fare that Pig & Tiger fans came to love — like its mapo tofu coated in housemade chili crisp, cold sesame noodles, and savory pork belly buns — will return this summer. New options will also be available at its brick-and-mortar, which is set to debut in Five Points. 1401 Pearl St., Boulder, avantifandb.com; 2200 California St., Denver, pigandtiger.com
Watercourse Foods / City O’ City
Watercourse Foods, the first vegan restaurant in Denver, has operated in since 1998. Originally it opened in a small spot on Capitol Hill before moving to its current location in Uptown. Comfort food dominates the menu and many ingredients, such as plant-based cheeses and proteins, are made entirely from scratch. Savor in-house seitan in the form of Buffalo Wings ($17.50) or thinly shaved on a Cuban sandwich ($18.50).
Brunch is also served at Watercourse and at its vegetarian sister concept, City O’ City in Capitol Hill. Favorites from the latter include waffles with chicken-fried cauliflower ($16) and a Barbecue Bowl ($17) featuring saucy tofu and vegan mac and cheese. Sweets and happy hour specials add reasons to visit either eatery. 837 E. 17th Ave., Denver, watercoursefoods.com; 206 E. 13th Ave., Denver, cityocitydenver.com
The Easy Vegan / Other Dog / Mother Other
Co-owners and life partners Alexi Mandolini and Taylor Herbert are key players in the plant-based dining scene. Their initial pop-up concept, The Easy Vegan, is loved for its approachable dishes made entirely from whole foods. During farmers market season, signature offerings like its pierogi platters and breakfast sandos often appear on its chalkboard.
Specials from Other Dog, its regionally-inspired vegan hot dog concept, are also available from the City Park, South Pearl Street, and Highland Square markets, as well as other local events. Most recently, the duo launched Mother Other, an elevated supper club hosted monthly within its private Baker neighborhood kitchen. 675 South Broadway, Denver, theeasyvegandenver.com
WongWayVeg
Best friends and business partners Lisa Wong and Natalie Gilbert co-own WongWayVeg, a vegan food truck with a bright orange exterior you can’t miss. It often appears at affairs around town, including the City Park and Highland Square farmers’ markets. Monthly Vegan Nights and the bi-annual VegFest Colorado are also regular venues, as Gilbert is the co-producer of those community events.
Visit its website for the truck’s full schedule and sample fun, homemade fare including sushi burritos, bao buns, globally-inspired burgers, and more. Take-home meals are also regularly offered, especially around key holidays. 1460 Leyden St., Denver, wongwayveg.com
Quince Coffee House
Set on the corner of Quince Street and East Colfax Avenue, Quince Coffee House is a neighborhood hot spot where many patrons and their pups arrive on foot. Join the regulars on the sunny wrap-around patio or hole up in one of several snug rooms decorated with local art. The homey atmosphere is complimented by roasty beverages, comforting bites including breakfast burritos and baked goods, plus open mic nights and other community events. 1447 Quince St., Denver, quincecoffee.com
Under The Umbrella
In business since 2006, this Congress Park coffee shop serves breakfast staples from its walk-up window including locally roasted Pablo’s coffee and various goods baked in-house by owner Jyll Tuggle. Snack on a sweet pastry or order a savory egg-and-cheese sandwich served on either a scratch-made bagel or buttery croissant. Green chile-laden breakfast burritos and fresh deli sandwiches are also available daily. 3507 E. 12th Ave., Denver, utudenver.com
Queer-Owned Bars in Denver
Town Hall Collaborative
Lauren Beno and Denise Day co-founded Town Hall Collaborative in 2022 and quickly, it became one of the city’s most inclusive community spaces. This Baker neighborhood building houses a Queen City Collective Coffee outpost, plus a bar serving beer, wine, craft cocktails, and mocktails.
Stop in during happy hour on Tuesdays through Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m., as bottles of wine are 25-percent off and classic mixed drinks are discounted to $11 a pop. Town Hall also has a market full of women-owned businesses and a packed event calendar featuring comedy nights, craft workshops, live music, and more. Make sure to mark your calendar for Queer Fest, happening on June 27 and 28. 525 Santa Fe Dr., Denver, townhallcollaborative.com
Honey Elixir Bar
Tucked away in a street art-covered alley in RiNo, Honey Elixir Bar is one of the best places in town to get mocktails. The “potion” portion of its menu includes options like Mother’s Milk ($12), a blend of housemade jasmine rice milk, oat milk, floral essence, and raw clover honey; as well as Dream Machine ($11), a non-alcoholic take on an orange creamsicle cocktail.
While the zero-proof selection sets this bar apart, it also offers spirited craft beverages, plus wine and low-ABV jun, a fermented drink made from green tea, honey, and therapeutic herbs. Bites like brûléed chévre ($16) and a snack plate featuring mixed olives, seasonal pickles, and seasoned nuts ($11) round out the curated offerings. 2636 Walnut St., Denver, honeyelixirbar.com
The Pearl
After the Mercury Cafe shuttered in March, sapphic-focused bar The Pearl moved into the legendary Five Points space. Open mic nights, tarot card readings, and other long-standing events continue, though the calendar now features far more happenings dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, from drag brunches and burlesque shows to queer speed dating. Order New Orleans-inspired fare from The Rose Room Cafe and grab a cocktail from the bar before exploring various themed rooms within the spacious venue. 2199 California St., Denver, thepearldenver.com
R & R Lounge
When it opened in the 1950s, R & R Lounge (which was then called the Coral Lounge) had a closeted reputation for welcoming queer regulars. A couple of decades later, when co-owners Rick and Roger renamed the space after themselves, it came out proudly as a gay bar.
Today, it claims to be the oldest in the city. Spot this dive’s neon sign gleaming on East Colfax into the early morning hours and step inside to enjoy live music, drag performances, and cheap drinks poured with a heavy hand. 4958 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, no website
Queer-Owned Denver Breweries
Zymos Brewing
Zymos Brewing became Colorado’s newest queer-owned brewery when it opened its brick-and-mortar in Littleton last year. Its community emphasis is evident in frequently hosted events including live music performances, karaoke nights, trivia, board game tournaments, and more. Attend one to make new friends and to sample the microbrewery’s selection. Choices on draft span a variety of styles, from hoppy IPAs and malt-forward brews to its signature Skaldic ($8), a farmhouse ale featuring locally foraged spruce tips. 5180 S. Lowell Blvd., Littleton, zymosbrewing.com
Lady Justice Brewing Company
Founded in 2014 by former AmeriCorps volunteers, Lady Justice Brewing Company does more than make delicious craft beer. To date, it’s donated over $50,000 to organizations that support women, girls, and nonbinary people across the state.
Community-supported beer memberships ($175) help fund philanthropic efforts and come with a range of perks, from swag and discounts to exclusive happy hour events at its Englewood taproom, which the company relocated to last year. Stop in to try its core beers including Chosen Family, an award-winning British red; Sunday Best, a citrus-forward juicy pale ale; plus a range of seasonal specials ($6.55 per 13-ounce draft). 3242 S. Acoma St., Englewood, ladyjusticebrewing.com
Mountain Toad Brewing
Thad Briggs and Brian Vialpando, who are partners in life and business, co-own Mountain Toad Brewing, a fantastic place to unwind after a hike in the foothills or a bike ride down Clear Creek. This downtown Golden microbrewery and taproom features a spacious patio where rotating food trucks fuel hungry visitors.
Pair lunch with a pint of its Pedal On pale ale, Pandan Porter, or popular Blueberry Kölsch. The selection frequently rotates, so come back often with your friendly pups and favorite people. 900 Washington Ave., Golden, mountaintoadbrewing.com
Goldspot Brewing Company
Set in the Regis neighborhood just north of Berkeley, Goldspot Brewing Company is an inclusive, queer-owned space with a stellar draft list. Sip on a refreshing Plum Vanilla Sour made in partnership with Denver-based Seedstock Brewing, or a chocolatey porter aged in honey bourbon barrels from Laws Whiskey House, another local producer.
This brewery’s focus on collaboration and community extends beyond production, with certain taps benefiting staff-selected nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Goldspot offers a host of events including weekly trivia, open mic nights, clothing swaps, drag bingo, and even an annual queer prom, which will kick off Pride Month on May 30. 4970 Lowell Blvd., Denver, goldspotbrewing.com
