Definitely a dive bar. If that's your thing, go here. If I'm in the area, I'd probably stop by again.
Anyways, it was friendly enough and got the service that we deserved. From what I noticed they didn't have any food, but they did offer free popcorn that they pop for those that want some.
It's been a while since my first (and last) visit so I am unsure if there's anything different since then.
Usually when I find my way up to Arvada, I can be found at the DNote. Â But recently, I ventured across the street to check out the 12 Volt and boy, what a difference the other side of Old Wads makes!
The 12 Volt immediately reminded me of local bars in Wisconsin: Â long bar with plenty of stools, a pool table, dimly lit lighting, and a bit grimy and rough around the edges. Â Initially I was put off, but as I sat and chatted with a friend and soon other locals, I relaxed and strangely enough, found myself at home.
There wasn't much on tap, but the beer was flowing, cheap and delicious. Â And our bartender was a total sweetheart!
While I wouldn't go out of my way to hit up the 12 Volt, unless a cool band was playing here, I wouldn't mind popping in again if the mood strikes. Â It certainly is an interesting place!
Yeah it's dark, yes the bathrooms are tagged up, the drinks are ridiculously cheap and you might even think its a bit loud on a Friday night. Thats what makes the 12v a dive. However it is the surprisingly courteous bouncers (if you are not acting like a...), the smoking hot bartenders that give exceptional service (if you stop acting like a...), and the fact that the place is exceptionally clean despite first glances, that gives the 12v the title "Best Dive Bar in the Burbs" and it is the most popular bar in Olde Town. If you are not from around here this is where all the locals frequent.
Review Source:As Carolyn stated, it's a little bit of Colfax or Broadway in Arvada.
Somehow, I ended up with 2 for 1 drinks while drinking late at night. Â Who has a late, late night happy hour on a weeknight? Â Apparently, the 12 Volt.
The place is dark. Like Lion's Lair dark.  It's filled with a good mix of  blue collar folks, guys from grindcore and metal bands that grew up and moved to the burbs and the occasional outsider.  Yet, it retains a low-key, bring-all-comers attitude.
If you want a break from the suburbs, the 12 Volt is the perfect escape.
I have been here about 4 times. Â
Don't get me wrong, I love cheap drinks and dive bars, but even dive bars should have good service. Â
If you go, don't be surprised if the bartender disappears, often, to smoke cigarettes outside. Â Maybe you are allowed to refill your own drink. Â I don't know. Â I didn't try.
There are so many good Happy Hours nearby. Â I don't think that I can see myself returning.
If dive bars are your thing, there is a much better one around the corner -- Red Jacks Saloon.  <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-jacks-saloon-arvada">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>
The 12 Volt is exactly what it strives to be - a mostly blue collar dive bar in the burbs. Â You can get deals on PBR every day of the week, and they have live music on Sat nights. Â Four of us walked in there last Friday around 9pm and it was completely dead. One table of dudes and a few folks at the bar. Â It was Good Friday so I'm sure that had to hurt their biz. Â Regardless, we jumped in for a some drinks and all enjoyed ourselves. Â I love dive bars with a little edge, which this place has in spades. Â I just wished there were more peeps to drink with that Friday!
The 12 Volt stands in direct contrast to much of what's going on with the new businesses coming into the Olde Towne Arvada area. Â Like the new wine bar across the street, it's pretty much the polar opposite in every possible way to the 12 Volt. Â Call me crazy, but in my Utopian world I somehow see both groups finding some things in common and coming together in the middle. Â Who knows, maybe to bum a smoke?
It will be interesting to see how the future of the 12 Volt unfolds with the light rail station going in right next door. Â Lots more traffic, but also more people that might not appreciate the 12 Volt's overall unwelcoming, politically incorrect vibe - or some of the more racially motivated graffiti.
I love this bar! Yes it's a dive, but it's a great dive! They have live music on the weekends sometimes and cold PBR on tap. The bartenders are pretty cool to talk to and they remember what I order. For some added entertainment, read the restroom walls, or check out some of the posters and wall hangings.
If you're kind of prissy and looking for somewhere yuppy, this is not the place for you, move along..
What a dump in Arvada... I love it here... I used to work in Arvada and myself and few other co-workers would hit this place every Thursday-Friday for a few cheap cocktails. I grew up in Michigan and this joint reminds me of the solid old dives back home. It has tons of character and charm that comes with a quality dive. I would expect to find this place off of Colfax or Broadway... It a true little gem in Arvada.
Cheers...
Everybody has "their" dive bar right? Well a friend of mine has claimed this one as her own, and I finally got around to checking it out when her husband's band was playing there.
It's a very small bar, but it's got darts, a pool table, and a juke box. And live music now and then. The drinks are cheap, but tasty. And the bartender was really friendly.
It's not "my" dive bar (haven't honestly found one that I love in Denver yet), but it's pretty darn good.
Cheap, cold PBR, an awesome jukebox, and a cool bartender. What more can you ask for? I've been looking for a good dive bar, and the 12 Volt hits the target perfectly for the alternative(ish) crowd. People were friendly, and lots of obvious regulars. Fun to hang out for a couple of hours and shoot the shit. :)
Review Source:A home away from home for me. I just started yelping, so figured I'd thrown in my two cents on my favorite dive bar in the Denver area.
Cheap drinks, good jukebox, and a haven for punks and rock'n'rollers.
I started playing music there about 8 years ago when I was in college and have played there off and on every since. My only beef with the music deal is the giant sneeze guard they put around the drummer. I don't think the crowd notices much, but I can't stand the damn thing when I play there. Either way, I always take up the chance to play there.
Be sure to give Marty a shout out when you belly up to the bar. He and his staff will take good care of you.
I love this bar. This is a great place to see some local bands plus all the access to PBR you could ever want! It's usually filled with regulars, but whether you are a regular or not, you still get the same friendly and quick service as anyone else. Drinks are suuuper cheap and strong..what else could you want?? They have a fantastic jukebox AND a popcorn maker...that's right... a popcorn maker. (woo!) Fridays and Saturdays offer different kinds of ear-ringing bands, so don't go there if you want to be able to talk to people around you.
Review Source:I've only been in once, and it was early on a Thursday afternoon, while waiting for my guitar to be repaired at the Olde Town Pickin' Parlor directly across the street.
The bartender was a very friendly, cute and chatty brunette (sorry I forgot your name, but I did fix your iPod) who had only two other male customers/fans sitting at her bar. Otherwise the place was empty.
The Pabst was cold and only slightly on the flat side, but I enjoyed her company and judging from the regulars, it attracts a decent crowd of regulars. The jukebox played some good soul and Motown tunes, which I liked. (Far better than the usual junk that comes out of jukes these days (I'm looking at you, Hooty and Steve Miller).
I look forward to going back when the place is hopping some night soon, but until then, it's a nice place to have an afternoon shot and a beer.
I find it SO hard to believe that no one has sang the 12 Volt's praises yet. Â Let me enjoy being the first. Â
It used to be Cheers. Â My boyfriend got kicked out when it was Cheers, for knocking over all the kegs in the hallway in the back. Â He ran out the back door, bouncers chasing him with shaking fists, and we never returned until it was the 12 Volt. Â
Now? Â They've got a value menu. Â It entertainingly includes their cheapest of cheap whiskey and canned beers - think Olympia or something along those lines. Â They also offer all flavors of MD20/20, which they'll gladly mix together to create some tie-dye concoction. Â Not that I recommend that, but it's neat that they give props to the old school. Â
The happy hour crowd entertains me a lot - a bunch of grumpy and grisly locals, filling out crossword puzzles and buying each other shots. Â I even jumped in and bought a round. Â Happy hour is Two-For-One, so it's a great chance to go and get a head start on your friends for the night. Â
And if you're hungry? Â The pizza place across the way delivers. Â Straight to your bar stool. Â The jukebox is pretty good, too. Â This bar basically just has a no BS policy - and won't hesitate to let you know about it. Â I hear they have live music, but I never make it that late. Â Sorry.
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