Best Sake Bars in Denver: Where to Drink Japanese Sake in the Mile High City

Denver's sake scene has quietly become one of the best in the Mountain West. From Colorado's only sake brewery to izakayas pouring 60+ varieties, the Mile High City offers serious options for sake lovers. Whether you're a junmai purist or just discovering nigori, here are the best spots to drink sake in Denver.

Colorado Sake Co. — RiNo

The obvious starting point. Colorado Sake Co. is the state's only sake brewery — and the highest-altitude sake brewery in the world at 5,280 feet. Located at 3559 Larimer Street in the RiNo Arts District, they brew 12+ craft sakes on-site daily, from classic junmai to seasonal specialties and sake seltzers. The izakaya-style menu pairs perfectly: fresh sushi, gyoza, yakitori, and weekend dim sum brunch. It's also home to Denver Comedy Lounge, with three shows every Friday and Saturday night.

3559 Larimer St, Denver CO 80205 · coloradosakeco.com

Mizu Izakaya — LoHi

If you want the deepest sake list in Denver, Mizu is the answer. This LoHi izakaya carries close to 60 sakes organized by style, with by-the-glass options on tap and bottles ranging from easy-drinking to rare. The food matches the ambition — sushi, ramen, yakitori, charcoal-grilled items, and shareable small plates. Happy hour is an especially good time to visit, with sake bombs and California rolls. Award-winning bartenders run the cocktail program alongside the sake selection.

1560 Boulder St, Denver CO 80211 · mizudenver.com

Sushi Den — Platt Park

A Denver institution for over 37 years. Owners Toshi and Yasu Kizaki personally taste and select every bottle on the sake list, and bar manager Chip Soares is a certified sake specialist who can walk you through the brewing process, culture, and stories behind each selection. The fish is sourced daily from southern Japan by Toshi's brother Koichi and reaches Denver within 24 hours. This is where sake knowledge meets world-class sushi.

1487 S Pearl St, Denver CO 80210 · sushiden.net

Uchi Denver — RiNo

James Beard Award-winning Chef Tyson Cole's RiNo outpost pairs innovative Japanese cuisine with a deep, smartly curated sake list. The staff provides thoughtful guidance on pairings, and the sake social happy hour (5-6:30 PM nightly) offers sake and Kirin beer — one of the best deals in town for exploring new pours. The food is creative and bold, with seasonal dishes that push beyond traditional Japanese.

2500 Lawrence St, Denver CO 80205 · uchirestaurants.com

Kawa Ni — Platt Park

From the team behind Sushi Den, Kawa Ni is an izakaya-inspired pub with an extensive selection of whiskey, sake, and craft cocktails. The vibe is more casual than its sister restaurant, with a menu built for sharing — think Japanese comfort food paired with thoughtful drinks. The sake list leans toward approachable, food-friendly options.

1890 S Pearl St, Denver CO 80210 · kawanidenver.com

Matsuhisa Denver — Cherry Creek

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's Denver outpost delivers upscale Japanese dining with a long sake list and excellent Japanese whisky-based cocktails. The menu blends traditional technique with South American influences — a signature of the Nobu brand. If you're looking for a special-occasion sake experience with high-end sushi to match, this is the spot.

303 Josephine St, Denver CO 80206 · matsuhisarestaurants.com

How to Order Sake Like You Know What You're Doing

A few quick tips: Junmai means pure rice sake with no added alcohol — it's a good default order. Ginjo and daiginjo are more polished and aromatic. Nigori is unfiltered and creamy. Sake can be served chilled, at room temperature, or warm — don't let anyone tell you there's only one right way. And if you want to learn more, Colorado Sake Co. offers Sake 101 classes where you can taste through styles with the brewers who make them.

Denver's sake scene rewards exploration. Start with a flight at Colorado Sake Co., work your way through Mizu's 60-sake menu, and let the certified specialists at Sushi Den teach you something new. Then come back to RiNo for a comedy show and another pour — that's the Denver way.