I used to drive by this place all the time when some friends lived about 4 blocks away. Â While waiting for the red light to change at 29th and Sheridan, I'd look at the worn and somewhat dilapidated exterior of Rustic Tavern and try to imagine what it was like inside. Â The interior was always too dark to see past the front door when it was open. Â Our friends moved out of the neighborhood about six years ago and I haven't driven by that corner since.
Until last night, that is, when I stopped in for our book club meeting and discovered that Rustic Tavern is more than just a dive bar, it's a cozy neighborhood hangout. Â The batender was just as sweet and friendly as she could be and she knows how to keep the regulars happy with good, strong, cheap drinks. Â My vodka tonic was only $3.00 (did ya hear me - three dollars!) and, as the sign behind the bar says, "In God We Trust. Â All Others Pay Cash."
My favorite part is the outside space in the back that is part gravel "patio" and part nice green grass lawn. Â It's kinda like being in your neighbor's back yard - very homey. Â I can imagine sitting around back there and drinking way too many stiff $3.00 vodka tonics on a lovely summer evening. Â Maybe I'll have to make another special trip to the neighborhood.
Even though this place is a local dive, even if you're not from the neighborhood you will surprisingly feel welcome. Â Slide into a booth or a table if the bar is full, order up a standard drink or beer and relax. Â Don't come here looking for fancy cocktails or craft beers, but do come here visit with the 83 year old lady who has owns the place. Â :o)
Cash only, ATM on site.
Seriously! This place is so great. It has history, fun service, and strong drinks. The owner is always there and super friendly - bless her heart. You can tell she takes pride in her business. My only worry is now being voted one of the best dives the hipster crowd will take over like so many dive bars in the metro. They also have a cute little patio in the back that surprised us.
Note - CASH ONLY.
Best dive bar around! Â Just don't order diet, they don't have it. Â The bartenders are great. Â The jukebox has all sorts of good stuff. Â The regulars are like a little family, as they should be in a neighborhood bar like this. Â The drinks are strong and cheap, and the outdoor patio is nothing but klassy (with a K).
Review Source:if you are looking for a neighborhood dive bar, this is the place to be! Very cheap drinks, excellent grass patio in back. Â The bartenders are super friendly and the atmosphere is fun with a pool table and juke box. Â It looks a little sketchy from the outside but is just divey enough when you get in.
Review Source:I like this joint. It has a cool little beer garden out back and a kick ass old school michelob globe light that I would love to have hanging in my living room. Little old lady behind the bar is great with all her stories. Check out the bars arm rest's and you can tell how many folks have saddled up to this gem on a cold Colorado night.
Review Source:The raddest of the rad! After getting an inexcusably bad reception at the Lakeview Lounge and leaving immediately thereafter, my cruiser buddies and I rode over to what I now know is the coolest bar in the 'hood. Though it's cash only, you won't need much because it's a such a bargain...prices are definitely a blast from the past. Comfy padded bar stools, a small pool table, juke box full of classic rock and best of all a grassy patio out back = instant favorite. The outdoor area felt just like sitting in a friend's backyard with lots of chairs, tables, a few trees, twinkling lights and a retro neon sign. The bartender and owner were two of the friendliest ladies I've come across in Denver and I can't wait to give them more of my business. The bathroom is clean and certainly NOT sketch - unless you take that literally, since it has a chalkboard with chalk so you can write or draw if the mood strikes. Of course you'd wash your hands first, right? They do potlucks on Sundays for football games so I will be back with some homemade snacks to enjoy on that patio once the Broncs get going. Rustic = relic.
Review Source:GO LOCAL
A great place to go. usually get a good pour on the booze. very good prices. i completely disagree with the poster that said the bathroom was sketch. everytime ive been there it has been very very clean. the owner(s) obviously take pride in the joint.
men: this is a great dive to take a lady to for those reasons. clean place, relatively strong drinks, and clean bathrooms.
good mix of locals. seemingly always nascar or football on if youre so inclined.
good jukebox.
NOTE: cash only!!!
a highlands favorite.
a winner everytime
This is a lovely little dive bar...I have a a fondness for dive bars, always have but this place steals my heart. Â I have only been in a couple times but will continue to come back because it is staff with good people and typically a great crowd, a few drunk regulars but they are easy to ignore.
But part of the allure of this place is the owner JoAnn Turner, 83 who has owned the place for an unheard of 53 years, she truly is the bees knee, she answered several questions and was super friendly...and she never had a drink or a smoke in her whole life. Â If you want to learn about Denver and its history, she has some stories to tell.
But beside the ambiance that brings back a nostalgia that is so desperately lacking in most places, this place has great prices,$1.75 drafts all of the time and great HH prices, they have a great selection of bottle beers not all domestic.
They have family style game nights on Thursday and folks bring in food potluck style. Â
It is the kind of place you can walk in and feel immediately comfortable and can become habit forming
Ahhh the Rustic. You may or may not get shanked here, just sayin'.
This bar seems to set its own hours, sometimes its open sometimes its not.
Also it is cash only.
This bar is the definition of divey. The drinks are super strong, super cheap. I think they have something like $1 drafts (yeah the drafts are strictly domestic).
There are a few pool tables and more than a few toothless old dudes. The owner is almost always there talking to the regs.
They have a pretty nice back patio but beware of the bathroom. Pretty sketch.
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