Despite how long it took me to visit this place, I was really impressed! I loved the old pub-style wooden decor and the garden-like patio was charming and inviting. The beer list wasn't extensive, but offered plenty of variety.
The food was good, and surprisingly cheap. Burgers and sandwiches come a la carte, but they offer fries and onion rings as well. I had the JCB (jalapeno cream cheese burger) and it was delicious! The service was quick and friendly.
I will definitely be coming back to My Brother's Bar, if only to drink beer on that patio!
We went here after reading Yelp reviews. Prior to this I had not been there in 20 years. Â I guess my standards have changed as I've matured.
The server was friendly and competent. We both ordered their Johnny Burger. I didn't assume that three cheeses meant that jalapeno cream cheese would be one of them. I did not like that. However... The way they were served was our biggest complaint. They serve this little organizer. Burgers on top, wrapped in paper, no plates. What was disgusting was that inside the organizers were four small bowls. One with pickle chips, one with onion slices, one with relish, one with something else. Ketchup and muster in the squeeze bottles, mayo in packets.
When we were done, they picked up the organizer, made of white plastic or lucite, carried it to the server station, pulled out the bowls, and used tongs to replenish the consumed condiments and then stacked two more burgers on it and out it went to another table. Never wiped down, and the condiments we used reserved to another table. Eew! Just replenished, not replaced?????? Not wiped down?
The lighting was so dark it was uncomfortable. We won't go back.
The hamburger was good. The patty was good quality beef and fresh.I had the classic burger, this is how I judge before venturing to other funky version. I certainly will return to try other burgers.
Service was okay. The ambience is comfortable and friendly, though it is a bar it does not feel like if you are there just to eat. They should better selection of beer on draft.
I've been twice now and the first time I couldn't complain, the second time it wasn't so good. Â Both times had a burger for lunch and each visit was a week apart. The first burger was fantastic, the second one not so much. Â In fact, I'll never go back. I don't understand the inconsistency of the food from one week to the next.
Review Source:There's just something about getting burgers in bars without any fussy frills. A co-worker brought me for a quick dinner.
FOOD: The Johnny burger - I am not one to complain about too much cheese, but there had to be as much cheese as there was burger! Their jalepeno cream cheese is so tasty. But these are old-school burgers, with a nice soft bun, comes wrapped in paper like fast food with a whole box of condiments (ketchup, mustard, onions, relish, pickles, etc). Don't forget to order fries or onion rings. I'm so used to places where they automatically are included, but not here.
ENVIRONMENT: Dark bar - really dark for a Monday night. Everything feels worn down, but in the "lots of peopel come here" rather than just old. Menus on the wall but not a lot of other decoration. Just a pretty plain, no frills bar.
SERVICE: Casual. Good about refills and getting more drinks and cleaning up from the food. Can't ask for more at a bar.
I love this place.
I love the food: huge fan of the Johnny-Ralphie burger (bison with three cheeses, including thier own jalepeno cream cheese- yum!). When I was eating gluten, I couln't pass up on the combo rings/fries either - crispy and soft at the same time! Amazing. They also happily make anything gluten free, when possible (no bun, etc)
I love the bartenders: they are jovial, quick with a smile and attentive - they can also make a wicked perfect manhattan. And I'm one of those picky former bartenders. They definitely know their stuff.
I love the atmosphere: it's casual and welcoming, making it easy to stay longer than intended.
I'll be back!
You know what? I freaking love this place, and I'm not afraid to shout it from the rooftops. Yeah, I am a 20 something, so maybe the noise doesn't bug me as much as others, but man I have a good time every visit, and the Nina (Cheddar, swiss, marinara, and home made jalapeño cream cheese) always hits the spot.
The first time I visited my husband and I were in The Highlands buying and lifting furniture, and we remembered this place from the Food Network, so we decided to stop in. Although there are biases when one is famished and reviewing the food that broke the fast, but seriously, famished or not, that melty cheese is the perfect balance for the many who adore grilled-cheese sammies.
As far as the service goes: I come from Oregon, where there is a fleet of breweries by the name of "Mcmenamins" that have great food, great ambience, great beer, but painfully slow service. These breweries do very, very well because when it comes down to it, food and beer speak for themselves. Yeah, service may be slow, but it doesn't hurt or harm you to flag someone down if you're that desperate to fill your glass. Otherwise, sit tight, enjoy your time, and if parking or slow service make your mad, then avoid this place.
Also, I want to mention this it has no markings, just a few script letter "B's" engraved into stone on the outside, but those are difficult to see from a car. It is RIGHT behind REI, so take a right toward REI and your first left, it will be that little building on the left made out of brick. Also, there are no billiards, no loud music, no signage of any kind, and no TV's. This place is raw and real and you will be making memories there just like the thousands before you. Enjoy it.
This is one of my favorite Denver spots. Â More than anything else, I love the history of this place and the Kerouac was here stencil graffiti on the outside of the bar. Â The burgers and fries are simple and delicious, and the service is surprisingly good for a place that doesn't seem like it would have very good service. Â I think this is one of the ideal places to bring out of town folks looking to experience Denver.
Review Source:a local Denver-ite took me here recently cuz i told him i wanted a good burger.
this place has no signage and is kinda old school looking inside.
we sat in the bar area but, unfortunately, didnt have any beers.
i DID have the bison burger though and it was delicious! as someone in another review said, it had just the right amount of grease and was cooked perfectly.
since i'll be in Denver again soon, i'll need to stop by again for the full meal (in other words, a burger and a beer!)
The best burger in Denver! Besides the amazing food, I love the atmosphere in here too. Classical music, menus on the wall, plastic caddies that come out with your burgers, good beers on tap, nice outside patio, and Girl Scout cookies! You can't pass up this gem, the Johnny burger is amazing!!!!!
Review Source:I'd give it a 2.5 I've been for drinks before and yes, it's crowded but I like the atmosphere. The 2.5 is for the awful dinner service last night. The waitress took forever to come to our table, and was clearly annoyed by our presence when she finally arrived. The dining room wasn't busy (bar side was of course) but everything took forever. Oh, and she never even brought me my glass of water. The saving grace was the food is good and the buss boy was helpful. However, food wasn't good enough to go back for and take a chance on the crappy service. Bummer.
Review Source:"There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn."
  Samuel Johnson, reported in James Boswell, Life of Samuel Johnson (1776).
What does this place have going for it? No sign out in front, no TV, no sports memorabilia, Â no country music blaring from over loud speakers, the wood on the bar is well worn with decades of use.!...Hmmm
Sounds perfect to me!
Well I have been coming here, not for years but for decades,  (remember when the bar tenders  used to throw straws in your drinks?) Jimmy is such a dear, always pedaling those @&!*!!&&*@& Girl Scout cookies!
Now I've never been a big bar person. Most taverns you go into nowadays, the patrons are sitting at the bar like zombies, staring up at 40 or 50 TV screens at overpaid "athletes" throwing a silly ball around or smashing each others brains in while attired in ridiculous suits of plastic armor. Â Â
For people in the know this has always been the best tavern in town. Folks actually TALK to each other (No kidding it actually happens!), Â engage in witty and charming repartee, flirt, cajole, make friends, enemies, imbibe a glass or two and have a jolly good time!
The bar tenders and waitstaff are all fun and friendly people, quick with a joke and happy to ply you with liquor!!
The food is unique bar food, wonderful little burgers and sides. The menu hasn't changed in years and I hope it never will! Just love the big box of condiments that come with an order, the best pepperoncini in town
Took my kids here friday night for supper.
Food: 4 star
Ambiance: 4 star
Service: 3 star
Price: 3 star
Parking: 1 star
Had a cheeseburger, double jack burger, buffalo fingers, side of onion rings, 1 beer, 1 soda, and 1 water. $34
Businesses located in congested areas should have a clear parking map on thier website! Detailing the free and pay lots within a few blocks of thier business.
What's not to like?
Oh yeah, the parking situation.
When a place is as good as My Brother's Bar, it gets crowded. And they aren't shy about squeezing everyone together like one big happy dysfunctional family.
How close? Hell, I went to grab my car keys out of my pocket, ended up rummaging around in the pockets of the guy next to me. He wouldn't stop smiling at me and I walked off looking for hand sanitizer and admiring my new pocket watch.
Yes, it gets crowded, but that's the charm of this place, just like the menu posted on chalk boards, the Bison Burger named Ralphie (which taste like buffalo), that little white plastic box of community condiments that barely fits on your table and pitchers of GCB and local brews.
Two hints, don't come here for a business meeting (you'll practically be sitting on each other's lap, it's an HR department's worse nightmare) and (shhhh) park in the REI lot.
Just go window shopping for a Camelback or Chapstick and no one will hassle you.
Oh, the people are great, tremendous burgers, crazy selection of beers,vegetarian selections and the cornucopia (8 mini corn dogs) as well.
Â
Go on... squeeze yourself in there at Brother's, you'll be glad you did.
The Johnny Burger is great. My friend had it with a Veggie patty and I had the JCB with beef. I was so jealous of her veggies, I wish I knew the Johnny also had the jalapeno cream cheese.
Minus one star because they only seem to have ketchup in those condiment boxes. When our waitress took away the condiment box and we asked for more ketchup someone filled a cardboard tub with ketchup and brought it to us. It seems wasteful? Why not just buy more ketchup  bottles?
Overall, I would go back to this quirky spot.
The atmosphere and the prices are awesome.
The burger... meh. It was good, but not great and as someone else mentioned, didn't live up to the hype. Also, all the condiments on the side in a big box was kind of annoying because it really does take up like half the table.
I will be back... just not for the hamburgers.
I love My Brother's Bar. Every time I go to REI or am in the area, I find an excuse to hit up this joint. The atmosphere is pretty chill and the music choice is a nice change of place from other bars downtown (it's classical). The burgers are pretty tasty, although I wouldn't say that they are out of this world amazing. The drinks are also pretty cheap, which is always nice. *Also, they do sell Girl Scout Cookies which can literally sound fantastic once you have a beer or two in your system.
Another plus is when describing the place to people who don't know what My Brother's Bar is and take the name literally. I have had a handful of friends who literally thought my brother owned a bar :)
2012 Review #293:
I think My Brother's bar is a Denver standard. Very cheap food, reasonably priced beer, classical music. What more could you ask for?
It's dark and inviting inside, like a coffee shop. Prices have apparently not been altered in 50 years. Service is a little spotty and snotty at times. But I've always been here with a group and in that way the servers leave you alone an appropriate amount.
Only downsides are lack of veggies on burgers unless you pay for them. The onion rings are excellent but the fries are a bit overdone. I think the burgers are good but they're not cooked to order so they might not please everyone. I don't seek this place out but I do like it when I visit.
Good, but not nearly as good as the hype led me to believe.
I knew the place was a dive, but found it to be some weird amalgamation of old school comfort and a dive. The wait staff and food definitely give the dive-vibe (read: rude staff, cheap food) but the atmosphere was actually pretty nice. It's a very old school brick building with classical music and a nice patio outside. The beer list seemed respectable and the food wasn't bad for bar food. My biggest gripe was with the menu -- I felt like an old man because the menu is posted on the wall and it was too dark and too far away for me to read without having to get up from my seat and stand in front of it to read.
I had my very first jalapeno cream cheese burger there and for the most part I enjoyed it. The burger is served in a paper wrapper like a fast food joint and comes with a huge container of condiments and toppings. It was a little heavy on the cream cheese, but for the price it was tasty. The food is cheap, the beers are cheap and as long as your hopes aren't too high about the quality of the food or service, it turned out to be a pretty enjoyable restaurant.
** Revised**
I visited a second time at the end of a night of drinking without much food. Had a beer, a burger and some fries and found the cheap food and good beer list to be just what I needed. Not to say My Brother's Bar is relegated to a sit-down White Castle or anything, but sometimes the greasy food is exactly what you need. In those situations, it's pretty damn good.
It was cool going to the oldest bar in Denver - or at least that's what my friend told us when we went.
The burgers were awesome - everything else we ordered sucked, but they make a very solid burger. Just don't order anything else such as chili (OBVIOUSLY canned) or chicken strips (MAYBE frozen)
But the burgers made up for it - cool atmosphere, although it had flies - something I am not very tolerant of.
Looked up where to get a great burger downtown, headed to Brothers Bar and was not disappointed.
Chose to sit outside, for which I was pleasantly surprised with the atmosphere for being downtown. Very quick friendly service. Very reasonable, tasty food. The onion rings smelled great from the moment I entered the restaurant. Definitely will be back. And I am sure that every time I drag my spouse to REI-not his favorite place-he will tell me to pick him up around the corner at Brothers.
I dont really know why there's so much hype about this place. Â The burgers were nothing spectacular, they were just kind of greasy and not in the good, cure your hangover type of way. Â Also, what's with the ala carte? Â It's a big box of condiments and toppings that takes up half the table and leaves no space for your drinks or anything else. Â And, as a recovering germaphobe, the first thing I could think of when I saw that was I hope people didn't use their fingers grabbing the pickles or onions.... eww, I almost had a relapse.
however, the garden was nice and serene.
I had to stop by REI the other day, and I usually make the "long" trek to My Brother's Bar afterwards since...you know, it's the first place I went to when I moved here. Â And, I love the onion rings. Â Plus, I love the Ralphie Burger with cheese. Â I also happen to love the little condiment tray they bring out. Â
The place feels like a dive, has a really interesting history, they sell girl scout cookies throughout the year and have no sign. Â It's like the Swinger's scene where they talk about how much cooler places are that don't have signs...you just have to know about them. Â But, just listen for the classical music.
Service has always been good and they've got a great beer selection as well. Â The back patio is great on summer days as it actually provides some shade.
I personally prefer My Brother's to the Cricket as the Cricket's are far greasier burgers. Â Truthfully, you can't go wrong with either.
Holy cheap-ness. Â $11 for Odell's IPA or Fullers London Pride pitchers any time? Â I think it helps that they give you small glasses, so it always appears that your pitcher goes farther because you're pouring twice as much. Â But really, a pitcher= a pitcher. Â Their $6 jalapeno cream cheese (JCB) or 3 cheeses/grilled onion (Johnny) burgers? Â Count me in. Â They'll also swap out the beef for a veggie burger, which I did last time because sometimes all those ingredients + beef get a little heavy. Â $3 for some of the biggest and best onions rings I've ever had. Â
Out back is a very cozy little beer garden. Â Last time we sat on the patio there was an awful sewage smell that kept appearing, which caused everybody at the table to look around suspiciously at each other. Â
Although I always stick to the JCB or Johnny, I'm anxious to try the sandwiches too.
My Brother's Bar is one of my favorites in Denver. It just has it all: A classic ambiance complete with classical music. One of the best patios in Denver surrounded by a beautiful pergola with climbing hops and Virginia creeper keeping it cool. Pretty decent food that is filling and affordable (Nothing over $10..several things less than $5). A good drink selection that is also inexpensive. Servers that come around exactly when you want something but otherwise leave you to have a good time.
There is a reason why Jack, Neal, Allen and the gang used to hang out here. My Brother's Bar has been one of the coolest Denver institutions for decades and will continue to be one of my favorite places in town.
After having cream cheese on a burger for the first time at Cherry Cricket, I got excited to give it a try here. Unfortunately, it wasn't as exciting. I didn't taste much from the jalapeno cream cheese, and the burger was rather bland as well despite being cooked to a nice level of medium-well. I think if there's a next time, I'll give the bison burger w/ bacon and cheddar a try.
The sides were quite good though. Fries were nice and crispy and the onion rings done right so that the onion doesn't all slide out in one bite.
Nice little beer selection, and there's a happy hour with $1 off drafts before 6:30pm. As Kelly T noted, service was friendly but spotty at times, though the hostess was very friendly and accommodating.
I enjoyed the wood interior, but it was a bit hot. Then again, the AC was probably working overtime that day. Not sure if I'll be back, but I wouldn't rule it out especially for happy hour and a few snacks...those onion rings were pretty tasty.
I ventured in here on a hot summer's night to meet up with my fellow scavenger hunt teammates of yore: Lindsay G, Shea S and Katy M. It was dark and it was hot. Something I would have loved in the winter, but not necessarily in the summer during a record breaking heatwave.
I got there with 5 minutes left on Happy Hour, when it's $1 off pints, so naturally I ordered a pint and got it pretty quickly. We all settled in and our server was very attentive for the first 30 minutes or so. She kept checking in to see if we were ready to order.
Well, catching up with one another got the best of us and we kept forgetting to look at our menus. When we finally ordered, the food was delivered pretty quickly on that giant plexiglass tray that has all the condiments and thensome. I think that's a pretty neat idea, but it takes up virtually the entire table and makes everything feel kind of cramped. And that was on a four top. Imagine what would happen if it was on a two top!
I did not order food, but I scarfed a few fries and onion rings off the sides and they were good. The people who did order food seemed to enjoy it.
Then, I decided I wanted another beer. But, alas, our server was nowhere to be found. On occasion, I would see her attending to another table, but then she would vanish. It was as if the minute we ordered our food, she stopped being our server and went off to take care of other tables. I finally flagged her down and got that beer I so desired and then the bill came very shortly after that.
This place wasn't bad, but I definitely never felt comfortable or welcome enough to want to come back for another visit.
Brother's is my go-to place when I need to re-charge. Â Brother's is the kind of place that makes you feel welcome, whether you're showing up just after the gym or in your fancies after a show. Â The mood is "come as you are," have a cold one, relax and stay a while.
I think the big draw here is their excellent beer list. Â Burgers are always a good bet here, although I'm also partial to some mini corn dogs with my beer over a Happy Hour. Â
Never fret if you weren't able to put in your Girl Scout cookie order - the place is lined with boxes during cookie sales season.
The patio is the place to be on a summer's day or evening. Â I haven't encountered any trouble on the patio as Laura did a few years past. Â Service has always been adequate for me - sometimes the place is rocking, so those servers have to hustle to make their rounds. Â Shout anyone down who's bussing, serving, hosting or cooking and they are all happy to get you what you need.
Great local place. Got the recommendation from a guy at REI and I'm glad we took his recommendation.
My recommendation is based solely on the burgers. We were seated quickly and served in a snap. I had the bisonburger with jalapeno cream cheese. Sounds gross, but it worked! My wife and son had a burger also and they really enjoyed it. My daughter had the mini corn dogs and they were very good.
Our waitress was friendly and we received our oder very quickly.
BTW, the onion rings are a must have with the burgers.
What I had? Â Jalapeno Cream Cheese Burger
Food review: Â There must be something about "this" flavor of burger that people really enjoy that I don't really care for. Â This is now the 3rd place I have had this experience. Â The patty does NOT taste like special at all. Â Am I crazy? Â 3 places now, I have had this experience at (and the pattys taste just about the same at all 3). Â Griff's, In and Out, and now My Brother's Bar. Â I wish there was a name for it so I could avoid it. Â It drives me crazy because of the hype behind it. Â Don't get me wrong I thought the burger was just ok. Â It certainly wasn't bad but I certainly don't think it deserves the hype it gets. Â The Jalapeno Cream cheese, while a little tasty, doesn't do much to help out the plain-ess that is the burger patty here.
Service? Â No complaints
Other thoughts: Â As hard as I was on the food here, this place is a great drinking spot. Â It is one of the few places I know of that has Labatt's Blue on tap which as much as a craft brew fan as I am... I cannot avoid those "starter" beers that got me into enjoying beer in the first place. Â :-) Â They also have a Full Sail Amber which I quite enjoyed. Â Last but not least, they are one of the few places I know of that serve Golden City brewery beers. Â It's their red which is meh (at least after the beers I had) Â :-)
P.S. Â :-) Â You could make the argument that this is "bar food" and I shouldn't be so critical about it but there are quite a few bars with great burgers (Cherry Cricket, Choppers, and City Pub to name a few)
I went here for a drink after the Broncos game a few weeks ago on a Thursday night and was reminded how awesome this place is. Â
They have a solid beer selection and the knowledge to recommed stuff to you. Â That's cool thing #1. Â They serve a nice variety of bar food quite late into the evening and that's cool thing #2. Â But the coup de gras and cool thing #3 is the ambience. Â this place is just drenched in it. Â If you wanna go some place dark and moody, enjoy some comfort food and a good drink in peace then head here. Â Maybe I'll see you.
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