Bar
Unclaimed profileKeepers Cocktail Lounge
Denver, CO · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Keepers Cocktail Lounge, inside the Apiary Hotel, runs a honey-themed cocktail program with a daily Hive Hour. The happy hour menu spans eight creative cocktails like Sirocco and Penumbra, a broad wine list by the glass, local draft beers, and a couple of non-alcoholic options. A Botanical Tasting offers three gin and amaro pours.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Sirocco (Lalo Tequila Plata, spiced pear, banana, pineapple, lime, sage tobacco) or the Penumbra (George Dickel, spent espresso, tobacco bitters, alderwood smoke). For a lighter option, Rayleigh Glow is a non-alcoholic cocktail with Giffard n/a Aperitif. The Botanical Tasting, three separate gin and amaro pours, is a distinctive choice.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate layered, ingredient-driven drinks will find much to like. The diverse wine-by-the-glass list and local draft beer selection also make it a fit for groups with varied tastes. The honey-themed concept and Hive Hour vibe appeal to those seeking a themed but not gimmicky lounge.
- When should I go?
- It's a good time to sample multiple cocktails or wines at a lower price point. Evenings generally, given the lounge atmosphere and upbeat music mentioned by guests.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range $13–$18, wines by the glass $12–$23, draft beers $7–$11, and non-alcoholic options $8–$13. Hive Hour knocks $2 off draft beers and wines, and offers libations at $13.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The beekeeper-inspired concept runs through the program, with honey-themed cocktails and a Botanical Tasting that presents three gin and amaro pours. It's one of the few lounges where you can pair a non-alcoholic Rayleigh Glow with a local sour, and the happy hour menu is unusually detailed.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Eight happy hour cocktails show creative ingredient combinations and premium spirits. The Botanical Tasting adds a distinctive gin and amaro flight.
Menu strengths
- — Creative, well-named cocktails with layered ingredients like spiced pear, tobacco bitters, and alderwood smoke.
- — Botanical Tasting offers three separate pours of gin and amaro, a unique format.
Standout selections
- — Sirocco – Lalo Tequila Plata, spiced pear, banana, pineapple, lime, sage tobacco ($16).
- — Penumbra – George Dickel Special Recipe, spent espresso, tobacco bitters, alderwood smoke ($17).
- — Rayleigh Glow – non-alcoholic with Giffard n/a Aperitif, pomegranate, pineapple, ginger, demerara, lime ($13).
Pricing: Cocktails $13–$18; Hive Hour libations $13 each.
Wine
A compact but well-chosen by-the-glass list covers red, white, orange, rosé, and sparkling. Selections like Soter Pinot Noir and Crossbarn Chardonnay show regional variety. Pricing is reasonable, especially during Hive Hour.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse wine styles including orange and sparkling, not just standard red/white.
- — Hive Hour discount makes the wine list more accessible.
Standout selections
- — Soter Planet Oregon Pinot Noir ($16)
- — Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast ($23)
- — Sokol Blosser Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($16)
Pricing: Wines by the glass $12–$23; Hive Hour $2 off all wines.
Beer
Focused draft and can list leaning on Colorado craft, with IPAs, lagers, a brown ale, and a sour. Prices are fair, and Hive Hour discount adds value. No community evidence specific to beer, but the selection is solid.
Menu strengths
- — Variety of local and craft beers, including Station 26 and La Cumbre.
Standout selections
- — Station 26 Juicy Banger IPA ($11)
- — La Cumbre Azulito Mexican Blue Corn Lager ($9)
Pricing: Draft beers $7–$11; cans $7–$9; Hive Hour $2 off drafts.
Nonalcoholic
Two non-alcoholic options on the happy hour menu: a dedicated non-alcoholic cocktail and a non-alcoholic beer. The Rayleigh Glow is a thoughtful, complex option with Giffard n/a Aperitif. Limited but intentional.
Menu strengths
- — Rayleigh Glow is a proper non-alcoholic cocktail with multiple ingredients, not just a juice.
- — Athletic Run Wild provides a familiar non-alcoholic beer option.
Standout selections
- — Rayleigh Glow – Giffard n/a Aperitif, pomegranate, pineapple, ginger, demerara, lime ($13)
- — Athletic Run Wild non-alcoholic beer ($8)
Pricing: Non-alcoholic beer $8; non-alcoholic cocktail $13.
Spirits
Cocktail ingredients reveal a well-stocked bar with premium spirits like Lalo Tequila, George Dickel, Monkey Shoulder, Flor de Cana, and Laws Rye. The range supports diverse cocktail styles.
Menu strengths
- — High-quality and diverse spirit selection used in cocktails.
- — Includes rare-ish choices like Laws San Luis Rye and Lalo Tequila.
Standout selections
- — Laws San Luis Rye in the Zephyr ($16)
- — George Dickel Special Recipe in the Penumbra ($17)
- — Monkey Shoulder and Laphroaig in the Penicillin ($15)
Pricing: No dedicated spirits list; pricing only via cocktails ($13–$18).
How it sits with the food
Menu mentions happy hour bites, but no specific food items are detailed. The Penumbra's smoky, coffee notes might pair with rich or grilled items, while the Rayleigh Glow's ginger and pineapple could complement lighter fare. The wine list offers versatile options like Soter Pinot Noir and Crossbarn Chardonnay for broader pairing.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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