License No. 1
Central Boulder, Boulder
Bar in Boulder, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Why go
License No. 1 is worth choosing for a darker, more social Boulder cocktail night built around a real Hotel Boulderado liquor-license story. Go for classic drinks, small plates, and an underground speakeasy feel; skip it if the priority is outdoor seating or a quiet, food-led dinner.
About License No. 1
Is License No. 1 worth it? It can be, if its basics match your plan: a Boulder venue with evening-only hours, a smart casual dress code, and a price of $35 per person.
The confirmed information for License No. 1 is limited, so this guide should not be read as a promise about specific offerings, seating setup, atmosphere, or event format.
The move is the timing, not a format
Plan around the posted schedule. License No. 1 is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday. It opens Wednesday and Thursday from 6 PM to 12 AM, then runs later on Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 2 AM.
The $35 per person price point gives a useful baseline.
Who should go, and who should pick another Boulder plan
License No. 1 is a better fit for someone who wants a Boulder evening plan with late Friday and Saturday hours and is comfortable with a smart casual dress code. It is less useful if you need Monday, Tuesday, Sunday, or daytime availability.
Compare with other Boulder options, or use our broader Boulder guide and our full Boulder planning guide to build a broader night-out plan.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: Closed · Tuesday: Closed
- Location
- 2115 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
- Website
- license1boulderado.com
- Phone
- (303) 442-4560
Venue details
Ambiance
Dimly lit, underground, and clubby with antique furniture and early‑20th‑century details, creating an intimate speakeasy feel that becomes lively at night with music, comedy, and dancing.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
Accessibility
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Speakeasy
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Live Bands, Dj Nights, and Mixed Genre Sets Ranging From Jazz and Funk to Trip Hop, Plus Comedy Nights Rather Than a Single Fixed Music Style.
- Live Music
- Yes
- Spirits Focus
- Whiskey, Bourbon, Gin, Rum
- Zero-Proof Program
- Yes
- Opened
- 2014
Signature Pours
No. 1 Old Fashioned
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 2115 13th St, Boulder, CO 80302
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 6 PM–12 AM
- Thursday
- 6 PM–12 AM
- Friday
- 6 PM–2 AM
- Saturday
- 6 PM–2 AM
- Sunday
- Closed
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the fit
Choose Tonic Alchemy Lounge if the night needs a more cocktail-driven identity. Choose Bramble & Hare Bistro if food is the anchor and drinks are part of a longer dinner.
Bar context
How License No. 1 compares in Boulder
License No. 1 is the practical pick when ease matters. Compared with The Corner Bar, it sits in a similar general-use lane: good for a flexible Boulder drinks plan rather than a destination dinner. If the group wants the simplest night with minimal reservation pressure, start here or at The Corner Bar.
For food, choose Bramble & Hare Bistro, Gemini, or Corrida first. Those are better cross-shops when the meal is doing the heavy lifting and drinks are secondary. License No. 1 makes more sense when the bar is the plan and dinner can stay flexible.
For a more defined cocktail-led night, compare it with Tonic Alchemy Lounge. Tonic Alchemy Lounge is the stronger choice when the drinks program is the reason to go; License No. 1 is easier to justify when the group wants a relaxed Boulder stop without over-planning.
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Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full License No. 1 guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare License No. 1
How it compares
License No. 1 is the lower-friction choice in this Boulder set. The Corner Bar is the closest casual comparison, while Tonic Alchemy Lounge is the better pick for a cocktail-first night.
If the priority is dinner, look at Bramble & Hare Bistro, Gemini, or Corrida. License No. 1 is easier to recommend when drinks and flexibility matter more than a full dining plan.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is License No. 1 good for a date?
It may be a fit for an evening date if Boulder, the smart casual dress code, and the $35 per person price point match your plans.
Is License No. 1 open late?
Yes on Friday and Saturday, when the hours are 6 PM to 2 AM. Wednesday and Thursday hours are 6 PM to 12 AM, and the venue is closed Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday.
Does License No. 1 have specials?
Plan around the confirmed $35 per person price point, and check the venue directly for any current specials.
Is License No. 1 worth the prices?
It can be worth considering if $35 per person fits your budget and you want an evening or late-night Boulder option.
What's the crowd like at License No. 1?
The clearest planning facts are Boulder, the smart casual dress code, the $35 per person price point, and evening-to-late-night hours.
