Charlie’s

Charlie’s, you’re fun. Here’s my pro/​con list:
PROS
1.) Great music. Someone in our group said, «I love this song» with almost every song they played.
2.) Something different going on every night (neon night, gay bingo, karaōke, etc.).
3.) Cheap drinks. A personal sized pitcher of beer or cider for $ 5? Hell yes. And it’s so fun to drink out of.
4.) Sweet cozy patio. Heat lamps, corn hole, outdoor bar, food (sometimes), plenty of seating.
5.) Fun crowd. Everyone’s having a good time, no one cares what anybody else is doing, everybody’s dancing.
CONS
1.) The floor is super wet around the bars inside. Why? It’s totally a safety hazard and it’s kiiiind of gross.
2.) I hate to say it, but it doesn’t smell good in Charlie’s. As soon as I walked through the entrance I was like, «whoa. What?» Then I saw the wet floors and was like, extra ew. It smells like sewage to me.
3.) The bartenders seemed to either be missing or too busy to notice us waiting at the bar to order. Can’t complain too much because they’re nice once they get to you and the drinks are so affordable.
Loved the giant blunts hanging from the ceiling on 420 and the «smoke» that shot from them every 10 minutes or so. Haaaa, oh Charlie’s.

This is hands down one of the funnest bars I’ve been to. From the dude walking around in ass-​less chaps, to the cute cowboy teaching everyone how to line dance, it was a blast. Apparently if you take off your shirt you get ½ off your tab — definitely not going to complain about that!

Cover charge?
We need to unite and not pay a cover charge for places which pay their DJs $ 100 for the night.
Do they think this place is Beta?
The drinks are not very strong, their sound system is mediocre but it gets packed.
I guess they charge a cover to keep the riff raff out?

Charlie’s is a gay bar on Colfax and Emerson on the south east corner. they have expanded and constantly changing and getting bigger. way to go!

Brett is the absolute bomb… please go, have a blast, dance, relax, make new friends… shake your a*$$! We love Charlie’s!

When friends come to visit Denver, this is a regular stop on the tour. A seriously diverse group of folks line dancing and two-​steppin. Disco ball cowboy boot above the dance floor. Shitty beer selection (seriously, Charlie’s, get it together — it’s Colorado). Second dance floor either has drag (boo) or top 40 (much better). Probably one of the most unique gay bars anywhere… gotta love it.

A couple friends and I went on Saturday. It was Pride weekend, so Im not 100% any of this was a real example of how it always is.
We arrived at 10pm, and there was a short line; by the time we got inside (15 mins later) the line was around the block. $ 5 cover got you a drink ticket, so not a bad deal. The second you walked through the door you could feel it was hot. We traveled to the main floor, took a look inside, there are a few pool tables but few people were playing. Outside they had half their parking lot blocked off and an above-​ground swimming pool, a few more bars, and tons of people.
Back inside we looked for the second dance floor, found it, past the bathrooms but there was no DJ.
We ended up dancing most of the night on the main floor, it was a good time but crazy crazy hot in there. The DJ is ok, its fun to hear the entire song at a club, and she played a mix of genres (country, dance, latin, top 40).
At 1140 I went to the bathroom, where people were complaining about the state it was in, saying they had told employees hours ago they were out of TP. Girls had been using paper towels and they were everywhere! The toilet (which probs wouldnt flush), the floor, the tiny trashcan for feminine products. Really I felt bad for whoever had to clean it up. Speaking of clean, they were out of soap. Ew!
I was gone by midnight.
Pros: Fun music, lots of dancing, $ 5 cover includes a drink ticket
Cons: Its HOT in there, the bathrooms were a mess, $ 2 bottled water (no free pours), no coat check (I saw a spot for it, but it wasn’t open)
Bottom line: It would never be my first, or second, or third choice but Im not 100% against going back.
P. S. Maybe a pro, maybe a con, depending on your style but it was super casual in there, I mean shorts and flip flops casual.

Recently, I checked this place out. I had a layover at the airport, and I had some time to check out some of the town until I had to board the plane again. I had a great time here.
The bartender who served me knew what he was doing. I ordered a couple martinis. He did a great job at making them strong and delicious. I held a pretty good conversation with the bartender since the bar was on a slow time. He was polite. He also gave me some good advice for if I make it to Denver again. I also noticed that the employees there did a good job at keeping everything clean and organized. I felt comfortable walking and sitting in here.
If and when I ever make it to Denver again, I will keep this place in mind. I will be back here. The experience here was terrific!

Charlie’s can be a great time, but it also can be a crappy time. I have had some really fun experiences, but it can be a huge hassle to get a drink. And I have had great bartenders, but I’ve had dismissive, rude bartenders.
My biggest beef? Figure out where you are going to station your bartenders. Half the time, you can’t order drinks where you could on the last visit, and the bartenders seems as confused about which bar and register is open that night as the patrons are.

I think that this may possibly be the worst bar in colorado. They supposedly have a bar but if you sit at the bar for 15 minutes and the bartender rudely ignores a patron. Then thinks that they are doing you a favor by saying you have to stand in line to order a drink even though you are clearly sitting at a bar stool at a bar and have been for 15 solid minutes. Horrible place. Horrible service. Lousy bar should really be closed. How has the health department not closed them? I bet one of the obese owners sleeps with police officials and pays them off. Oh good ol boys. Gross

Denver Divas (!!!) Loved the drag show, but Avoid their «Bloody Mary», it’s basically Ragu & Vodka ;-(

Charlie’s a bit pretentious, so I don’t frequent this place too often. Why do I come? Because I am a sucker for gay bars, and cute gay boys tell me I’m pretty. Sold. Plus cheap strong drinks. Double sold.
There’s no free water though. Call me a spoiled American, but when I am trying not to get too drunk and I need some water to balance out all of the alcohol in my system, I need some water. Responsible right? So give me some water. All they have is bottled water. For $ 2 each. What a ripoff. Hence the pretentiousness.
I don’t know why I try to line dance, but I don’t care who sees me try to make a fool out of myself. The only way to learn is to get out there and do it. So I try. But people here know their stuff. So eventually when I get tired of pretending to line dance, I head over to the hip hop side and strut my stuff.
Bring cash, because although you can pay with a credit or debit card, there is a service charge that comes along with it. And there is a $ 10 minimum. Gross.
Ladies: no doors on the stalls. Pee quickly. You have been warned.

Love the atmosphere. Hate that you have to pay for water and no doors in the girls bathroom. Fun will be had by all if you come here, though. Gay or straight. Drag shows Sunday nights. Fun.

Two Stepping, Cowboy Hats, And Gaying It Up In Denver :)
Going to Charlie’s was a surreal experience since I have never been to a western bar. The people here know the choreorgraphy to all those line dancing songs and all of them are different! It is fun to see definitely, but sometimes the people are so busy trying to remember all these steps that they don’t look like they’re having all that much fun. Also guys can slow dance together which I thought is a romantic dance and when the song is over they’re gone. How different the things I saw here. Charlie’s is really for the western enthusiast. However, the people were nice and I bet you can find someone to teach you new dances if you are open and clueless like I am :) I DID A WALTZ!!! I felt like the most clumsiest, two left footed, quasi Disney Princess ever! Not graceful at all, but it was a hoot! But sometimes dancing to these songs I want to breakout into freestyle :) Two step?! I’m breakdancing! Lol!
After watching a little dancing and trying it for myself I explored the rest of the bar. They do have a room where they play more dancey music where you can get more «crunk», but it doesn’t seem to be the attraction here. There are also pool tables so if dancing isn’t your thing or if you just need a breather you can knock some balls around.
I feel like this is a place you have to go if you are in Denver just to see how different the gay scene can be here. You don’t need to dress up at all. I don’t think there is a cover charge. And it is a pretty chill place to get a drink. I do want to go back one day because I did have a positive experience :)

I have frequented Charlie’s for years now, and I won’t lie, at first I was less than impressed… but they have dramatically changed my mind. I love this place! The staff are, for the most part, friendly and quick to serve you (given that it’s not totally packed, in which case is very understandable), the atmosphere is great, and they offer a wonderful smoking patio, a country dance floor and a pop/​alternative dance floor — there’s something for everyone!
The only gripe I have is with the restrooms — the ladies room has a weird door to the two stalls available… but the stalls themselves have no doors, making for many an awkward bathroom experience.
Remember to bring cash, otherwise there is a minimum for credit cards, but really, come check this place out! My friends and I love this place!

In recent adventures to Colfax Ave I have been fortunate enough to stumble upon some delectable diamond-​in-​the-​rough places and considering the state of my crew in our travels this past Friday, we were lucky to find such a unique venue/
:) Line dancing.
I hail from the Bluegrass State and it has been TOO long since I’ve felt so at home in a bar. The door men were very friendly and the service was prompt. The best part about this place was the little taco eatery within it. The shelled tacos really hit the spot after a long night.

This place can be a lot of fun. But its a bit run down and dirty. The bathrooms could use some more attention during business hours, especially on busy nights.
I used to go on sundays all the time for Beer Busts. Last one I went to was really slow. I think everyone goes to the Wrangler. And now I have heard they dont do the beerbust at all anymore.
Good luck but it looks like your spiraling out of control towards bankruptsy.

Oh Charlie’s, you are a special place.
So let me preface this with– I am not your target audience, I know that. My friends are, however, your type. This is why I find myself here, enjoying watching the line dancing (I’m way too inept to line dance), and love that you have listed on the wall what dances go with what music (I’m going home to practice in privacy). I appreciate your music, parking and your strong drinks.
Here’s why we aren’t best friends: I don’t really love paying $ 2 for a bottle of water when there isn’t live music involved– I’m opposed to anything that makes drunk people think twice about how much water they consume. You’re a little dirty aren’t you Charlie, like in a shoes stuck to the ground kinda way? But mostly I’m a little creeped out that there are no doors on your bathroom stalls. Yeah, I kinda get it for some reasons but really?

I don’t fit in here.
Why? Because Charlie’s is just too self-​consciously country for its own good.
I’ve been to my fair share of country/​western-​type bars in San Diego and elsewhere, but they almost always try their damnest to make non-​cowboy-​hat-​and-​non-​leather-​boot-​wearing types like myself feel welcome. Live and let live, kumbayah, etc.
Not at Charlie’s, though.
Unless you’re in full cowboy regalia, expect to get evil eyes from the regulars and mostly ignored by the staff. Emphasis on «mostly» — since a few charming bartenders are the exception to this rule, but they can be hard to find. The guy tending bar closest to the pool tables is a sweetheart, and he pours some killer gin and sodas.
Come by on a Sunday night and witness the most ridiculous, out-​of-​control line dancing extravaganza… ever. The disco boot hanging from the ceiling is really a perfect touch.
And yes, drinking in Denver is cheap. A lot cheaper than in San Diego.
If that doesn’t make you go ‘yee-​haw’, nothing will.

I was taken here for a friend’s birthday. He’s a regular. I’m a virgin.
I’m also a straight female in a gay bar.
That being said, I had a pretty terrific time.
Reasonably priced beers (But a weird credit card policy at the bar that I don’t understand… something about not tipping but a surcharge? I dunno. We paid cash. So bring some.)
I was already reasonably toasted when we got here, so maybe that’s why I had such a great time, but let me break it down for you:
I line danced. (Alone, and barefoot, but hey, NOT surrounded by tweens at the Grizzly Rose. Bonus Points!) And they have dance LESSONS! Wahoooooo! I am SO going back.
1970s-​esque bathrooms with no doors. Goodbye modesty!
Patio seating, isolated from Colfax.
And speaking of Colfax… Feeling brave? Wander off after the party and try and fit in getting a burger at Good Times next door at 1am. BOY was I out of place.
Since there were pretty, semi-​naked people to look at, and there was line dancing… I’ll give Charlie’s a solid WOOT.