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 the Brown Palace Hotel, the Churchill Bar is akin to smoking cigars and drinking expensive cognac in a musty library. Bookshelves line the walls, and if you so choose, you can light up and kick back in a high back leather chair with a Dickens. Awarded as 'One of America's Best Business Bars' by Entrepreneur Magazine, you would expect to find gray haired businessmen bedecked in three-piece suits, but there are plenty of young people as well. Try one of the bar's 60 available cigars and taste its fine single malt and bourbon offerings.

If you are tired of keeping up with the ever-changing trends in LoDo, or want to hang out in a place less populated with suburban sports nuts and pretentious urban youth, stop by this blast from the past. The pool balls and a hip track from the best jukebox in town are the only sounds audible above the buzz of conversation; in this place talk is an art form. Without any TV's and comfortable booths-built-for-two, conversation flows easy. Live bands crowd into the joint occasionally.

Long considered the black sheep of Cherry Creek North Shopping District upscale entertainment district, this lively neighborhood tavern serves some of the best bar food in town. The only catch is trying to snare a table, for it is always busy. The bar serves 23 beers on tap and 50 in bottles. For dining options, try the bar's famous homemade green chili or a plate of cold pot roast with horseradish sauce. There is also a poolroom in the back.

Herman's Hideaway is reputed to be one of the best places to see live music in Denver. The club could easily pass for a biker bar and takes pride in its scruffy look. The inside is dark and smoky and bars line both sides of the room. The hottest local bands rock the club during the week and occasionally you will see a national act take the stage. Among some of the accomplished artists who played here in the past are the Dave Matthews Band, and the homegrown jam group Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

Cactus Jack's Saloon is one of the oldest saloons still operating in Evergreen. The building has just been updated to meet safety regulations and the menu has been changed to add food and drink items. A visitor can get the same drinks and food available when Cactus Jack's opened and enjoy a view almost identical to that time as well. The best part of the Cactus Jack's experience is the live music. Performed on the large sunny deck for free, an eclectic group of families, bikers, 20 and 30 somethings enjoy the entertainment and the scenery. A trip to Cactus Jack's is both a chance for great food and drinks and a chance to experience Colorado history first hand.