Located in the historic Oxford Hotel, this stylish haunt, that resembles a lounge on the Titanic, is the perfect spot to brood over a martini and conjure the literary ghosts of Denver's Beat scene; Neil Cassady once sipped gin and tonic in this art deco room. Nowadays the scotch and soda crowd fill the bar stools and couples soak in the romantic ambiance tucked away in a comfortable booth. Regulars frequently mix with out-of-towners assuring an always-colorful conversation.

Located in a spacious renovated warehouse, this popular brewpub is a mere baseball throw from Coors Field and is a good place for pre-game festivities and post-game celebrations. Carrying on the tradition of its original mountain location, the pub offers a sporty atmosphere with friendly service. The menu features all of the pub classics including burgers, salads and steaks. In addition, guests can watch the brewing and bottling process at work and sample a selection of the five home brews, including the ever popular Avalanche Ale and Oatmeal Stout.

A hot spot for singles, Crocs brims with energy. On the weekends, it clears out the tables in the backroom for dancing. A DJ spins everything from techno sounds to '80s greats. The joint was one of the first in the area to have the exposed brick wall loft look, and the mammoth crocodile hanging above the bar makes for an interesting drinking topic. The menu offers Mexican fare such as burritos and tortas as well as special dishes like Shrimp Diablo and Cilantro-Jalapeno Cream Pasta. There are burgers and sandwiches too. The full bar includes microbrews.

Located just 50 yards from the Pepsi Center, this bar is very popular with sports fans before and after the games. Two bar areas provide lots of space to drink and roam about, and the 73-inch, high-definition screen displays are great for watching games. Bar fare fills the menu with tasty appetizers including an excellent steak sampler. Predictable burgers and sandwiches comprise the dinner selection, but the Pulled Pork sandwich is a good choice. Aged prime rib comes in three variations.

Located in the Coors Field ballpark, this baseball-themed, sporty establishment serves a variety of microbrews and an above-average array of pub fare. Though it is owned by macrobrew giant Coors Brewing Company, it serves as an outlet for the company's small scale Blue Moon label. The beers here have won three Great American Beer Festival awards and two World Beer Cup awards. The brewery's friendly atmosphere is suitable for families or fans gearing up for the game.

This comfortable, dark bar filled with couches, booths and leather chairs offers an expansive selection of wine by the glass (60 choices) as well as hard-to-find scotches and liquors. The cigar room in the back has the atmosphere of an old English hunt club, except that a ventilator kindly sucks out the smoke (for your health). Cigars and a limited pub menu is also available. Live music fills the air five nights a week.

Like many of its Lodo neighbors, Herb's transformed with the opening of Coors Field from a dingy hole in the wall to an upbeat music lounge. The old, uninviting doors still stand as a dilapidated reminder of the bar's not so distant past, though they are no longer in use. The new entrance is around the corner in the alley, illuminated by a trail of blue lights. The varied schedule features live music almost every night with an emphasis on jazz, blues and big band.

Set off the street in a dark nook, the Falling Rock Tap House's unassuming brick face is easy to miss in trendy, bar-heavy lower downtown. But this intimate, little tavern has a surprise behind its door: 69 beers on tap that range from Colorado microbrews to European imports. With so many choices, it is the closest thing to draught heaven. The food menu is secondary to the beer, but still offers a generous selection of salads, pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, burgers and tacos. Located just down the street from Coors Field makes it a perfect hangout for pre-game warm ups and post-game celebrations.

While chains dominate the Denver dining scene, this old mainstay remains a quiet local gathering place and has the rare distinction of offering no TVs. The low-lit surroundings, classical music and comfortable aged wood tables and booths offer a relaxed ambiance to enjoy good conversation and good food. The colorful chalkboard menu can be a challenge from certain areas of the bar, but the sandwiches are worth the effort. The Johnny Burger, topped with jalapenos, sautéed onions and three cheeses is a classic.

Denver's first brew pub is conveniently located down the street from Coors Field making Wynkoop Brewing Company an especially popular gathering spot during the baseball season. As one of LoDo's trendiest nightspots it offers a multitude of nightlife and dining options including an upstairs pool hall that features 22 tables, and a downstairs improvisational theater. The menu offers a wide range of standard pub food, as well as some highbrow options such as ahi tuna and sirloin steak. The made-on-site microbrews are numerous and are conveniently explained to as which one best suits each menu item.