Our Favorite Spots to Down Pickle Shots in Denver

If Valentine's Day left you burned out on romance, turn your attention to a different sort of love: pickle shots.

This briny, boozy libation has become a staple at many Denver bars. But they are particularly satisfying at a handful of places around town:

The Retro Room, at 2034 Larimer Street, is at the top of our list for fun-infused shots, including the pickle-flavored variety. Other options include everything from blueberry and ginger to horseradish, pepperoncini and even scorpion. This spot also doubles as a hair salon, in case you feel like getting a major chop after a few shots.

The Thin Man, a bar at 2015 East 17th Avenue that recently celebrated its 23rd birthday, serves a variety of infused spirits, too. It also happens to be one of the best places in town for a first date, so if Valentine's Day put you in the mood to find a perfect partner, get back on those dating apps and change your bio to "You can find me at the Thin Man doing pickle shots."

Bar Nun, which opened in 2020 in the former Capitol Hill Tavern space at 1225 Logan Street, is among the 100 bars we can't live without for a lot of reasons, including its friendly staff, irreverent decor and, of course, those murky-looking pickle shots that pack a briny punch.
At just $3 a pop, the housemade pickle shots at Walter's 303 in Uptown (1906 Pearl Street) are a real deal, and pair well with its pizzas and oven-based wings.

For another low-cost pickle shot, grab your bowling shoes and head to Crown Lanes, at 2325 South Federal Boulevard. While this stretch of Federal is best known for its thriving food scene packed with Asian and Mexican options, the old-school bowling alley tucked in back of the main strip is a low-key good time. The pickle shots are also just $3 each, and it's easy to down a whole lot of them. You get what you pay for, and these are pretty light on the booze. But who cares when you're along for a ride that includes $5 games and shoe rentals, pool tables and cheap fried eats?
On the other end of the spectrum is American Elm, which has turned the pickle shot into a full-on cocktail called the Pickle Sipper. It's a classy spin on the dive-bar favorite, made with vodka from the Family Jones that's infused with housemade pickles, then combined with Svöl Swedish-style dill aquavit and a pickle spice rim for $9.  For on-the-go pickle shots, there's a local product we love. Three Colorado natives who are wise to the appeal of booze and pickles launched Dirty Dill a few years ago, and now the company's ready-to-drink pickle shots are widely available in local liquor stores. Forget boxed wine: This is the party beverage to take to your next event.