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Being a sports fan is so much more satisfying when an annual playoff berth becomes the norm for your team. But despite a number-three seed going into the postseason, getting to the NBA Finals will be a long road for the Nuggs, who will host game one of their first round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Find the Denver Nuggets full schedule here.
Should Joker and the boys advance, you’ll need a comfortable place with good grub and great deals to post up for the next couple of months so that you can sweat out a postseason run with your barmate besties. Here, the best places to catch every no-look pass, miracle three-pointer, and buzzer beater—and maybe a hoisting of the Larry O’Brien trophy—during the NBA Playoffs.
Alpha Charlie’s Tap & Tavern
Where: 6631 S. Peoria St., Centennial
The wide-open spaces of Denver’s southern suburbs mean spacious sports bars with great views of every full-court pass and resulting dunk. Veteran-owned Alpha Charlie’s puts sports at the forefront with 32 TVs, and during Nuggets playoff games, you’ll get happy hour prices on drinks. That includes $5 margaritas and $3 off select pints, among other deals.
The menu’s theme leans military, with big portions to match the big stakes of every playoff game. We recommend the C4 nachos: a pile of spicy queso, black beans, ground beef, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, and optional green chile that you can order constructed or deconstructed (like a dip with the chips on the side).
The Basketball Social House
Where: 7450 S. University Blvd., Centennial
When “basketball” is in the name of the bar, you know you’re in for a great NBA Playoffs experience. The main draw at this cavernous four-year-old venue is Top Golf–style programming, with basketball suites (half courts with adjustable rims and other amenities) and a three-on-three hoops arena with both youth and adult leagues.
But a full kitchen and bar makes for a great playoff experience, either in a suite with eight to 15 of your pals or in the main lounge surrounded by big screens. Gametime specials include $4 Coors Lights, a $2 specialty shot, and $5 Joker Juice cocktail created just for the Nuggets’ run. You can’t go wrong with the sandwiches here, whether a sure-thing smashburger or a surprising Cubano.
Stoney’s Bar & Grill
Where: 1111 Lincoln St., Denver (Capitol Hill); 1035 E. 17th Ave., Denver (Uptown); 1565 Raleigh St., Denver (West Colfax)
At 16 years old, the original Stoney’s has become a go-to sports bar for Cap Hill and Golden Triangle residents. And as an official partner of the Denver Nuggets, the venue will have a few special guests during round-one away games, including Nuggets dancers and even Rocky the mascot in full regalia. There will also be merch giveaways and specials on Miller Lite drafts and buckets. With so much going on, you may forget to keep your eyes on the game.
If you can’t make it to the Broadway locations, Stoney’s Uptown and West Colfax outposts are great gameday options, even if you won’t get to hang with a giant plush mountain lion.
Number 38
Where: 3560 Chestnut Pl., Denver (RiNo)
With an arena-size LED screen streaming every game on the sprawling patio and a plethora of beer and booze on tap to choose from, you can join the camaraderie of a giant watch party and still have room to roam at this expansive indoor-outdoor bar and entertainment venue in RiNo. For a special playoff experience, reserve a table for up to 10 people for $138, which comes with three pounds of Buffalo wings, a 24-inch pizza, chips and salsa, T-shirts for the group, and either a bucket of High Noon seltzers or a pitcher of beer (Bud Light or a Breckenridge Brewery ale).
Chopper’s Sports Grill
Where: 80 Madison St., Denver (Cherry Creek)
Opened in 1996 by former Denver Nuggets trainer Robert “Chopper” Travaglini, this classic Cherry Creek watering hole has real heart for the home team. With 360-degree views of TVs–including the 165-inch, high-definition video wall—there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Chow down on the tried-and-true Chopper’s burger or your choice from the stacked menu of sammies and other comfort foods; or take advantage of clutch weekday happy hour deals on shareables like sliders from 3 to 6 p.m. and discounted drafts, well drinks, and pitchers.
DNVR Bar
Where: 2239 E. Colfax Ave., Denver (City Park West)
This East Colfax tavern has become the epicenter of hype for Mile High City sports teams since opening in 2020. Just be warned: The bar reaches capacity well before tip-off, so come prepared to camp out early and cheer (most likely) from the standing-room sea of fellow fans. Luckily, DNVR Bar is offering weekday happy hours from 3 to 6 p.m., including $4 off all craft pints on tap, $1 to $3 off domestic pints, and $3 off house cocktails, including the Joker Sunrise, made with tequila, orange juice, grenadine, and Joker Peach (Jokić’s own energy drink brand).
Joe Willy’s
Where: 1310 S. Broadway, Denver (Platt Park)
South Broadway’s nearly two-year-old Joe Willy’s is about to get a serious playoff upgrade: a brand-new patio with five TVs and full audio, slated to debut any day now. Of course, if you prefer your sports-viewing darker (and louder), hunker down inside where a dozen flat screens (and tons of local sports memorabilia) line the space.
The menu leans Chicago—think Italian beef, pizza, and stromboli—alongside the usual fried apps and burgers. Happy hour (3 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday) is a draw with discounted drafts, well drinks, and apps. Nuggets (and Avalanche) playoff games bring extra deals, like Coors Light pitchers for $20, buckets of select beers for $28, and buckets of High Noon hard seltzers for $32.
Tom’s Watch Bar
Where: 1601 19th St., Denver (LoDo)
Count on a great view of the game from truly anywhere inside this two-story, 14,000-square-foot mecca at McGregor Square, where more than 115 TVs and clear-cut audio filtered to every table help the Coors Field–adjacent sports bar live up to its name. Fuel your crew with shareables like adobo chicken deep-dish nachos or Tom’s Famous Prime Rib Dip, a monster sandwich featuring shaved beef, havarti, horseradish cream, and a side of demi glace for (slam) dunking.
Keep an eye on the McGregor Square calendar if the Nuggets continue deep into the postseason—the amphitheater-style plaza often hosts ticketed watch parties with the games shown on a giant 66-foot LED screen.
Ball Arena
Where: 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver (Auraria)
If you want to feel like you’re at the game but you couldn’t score a ticket (or shell out for one), do the next best thing and join hundreds of other screaming fans outside Ball Arena for Base Camp 5280, home of the arena’s official Nuggets playoff watch parties. During each home game, Chopper Circle will be closed to traffic between 9th and 11th streets and the game will be broadcast on a 20-foot video board. Expect food trucks, beer and hard seltzer carts, DJs, giveaways, and mascot and dance team appearances.
The parties are free for the first two rounds of the playoffs, although you’ll need to sign up for a pass online. If the Nuggets make it to the Western Conference Finals or NBA Finals, there will be a charge (TBD) for admission.
