The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax

Verdict: The 1up Arcade Bar on Colfax

If you want a bar where the entertainment is built into the walls and the price of admission is essentially a drink, The 1up Arcade Bar on Colfax delivers solid value for that exchange. Located at 717 E Colfax Ave, this is a grown-up arcade bar where you pay for drinks and get access to a floor full of classic arcade machines — a format that makes it one of the more self-justifying nights out in Denver for groups who want something to do beyond sitting at a table. The question is not whether it is worth the money (the bar-entry model keeps costs low), but whether the atmosphere matches what you are looking for.

What to Expect

The energy at The 1up Colfax runs loud and social from the moment you walk in. This is not a quiet cocktail bar — the ambient noise level reflects a room where arcade machines are beeping, screens are flashing, and groups are competing. If you are after a low-key evening or a focused conversation, this is the wrong address. Come here for high-energy socialising, competitive nostalgia, and a crowd that is genuinely having fun rather than performing sophistication.

The Colfax location sits on one of Denver's most recognisable streets, a stretch known for a mix of dive bars, independent venues, and late-night energy. The bar fits that character: unpretentious, accessible, and built for repeat visits rather than a single special occasion. There is no outdoor or rooftop component confirmed in available data, which means the experience is entirely interior-focused , plan accordingly if you want fresh air as part of your evening.

For value-seekers, the calculus here is direct. Arcade access is free with drinks, which puts the real cost at whatever you spend at the bar. Compared to paying cover charges at live music venues or booking costs at cocktail bars, The 1up keeps the barrier to entry low. If your group wants two hours of entertainment without a fixed programme or a timed experience, this format works in your favour.

Booking & Logistics

Walk-ins work here. No reservation is needed for general floor access, which makes The 1up a practical option when plans come together last-minute. Weekends fill up, particularly later in the evening, so arriving before 9 PM is the better move if you want space to move between machines. The Colfax location is accessible by public transit on the 15 bus line, which runs along Colfax Avenue and connects to central Denver. Street parking on Colfax is available but limited on busy nights.

How It Compares

See the full comparison section below.

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FAQ

• Do I need a reservation at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax? No reservation needed for general access. Walk in, get a drink, and start playing. If you are bringing a large group and want a private area, check directly with the venue , large-party arrangements may require advance contact , but for most visits, showing up is enough. Arriving before 9 PM on weekends gives you the leading shot at a less crowded floor.
• What's the signature drink at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax? Specific menu details are not available in confirmed data. Arcade bars in this format typically run a direct drinks programme , beer, cocktails, and shots , priced to keep the per-visit cost reasonable. The drink is not the reason to come here; the arcade floor is. If craft cocktails are your priority, Williams & Graham or Death & Co will serve you better.
• What's the crowd like at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax? Expect a mixed-age crowd skewing toward the 25-40 range, casual in dress and attitude. The Colfax location draws locals alongside visitors staying near Capitol Hill. The vibe is social and unpretentious , groups competing on machines, friends catching up over drinks. It is not a scene bar, and there is no dress pressure. Compare that to the more polished crowd at Death & Co if that distinction matters to your group.
• Is The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax good for a date? It works for an early-evening date, particularly if you both want something to do rather than the pressure of sustained conversation over drinks. The noise level makes it a poor fit for a late-night date where talking is the point. For that, Williams & Graham , quieter, more intimate , is a stronger choice. Use The 1up for a casual first or second date where shared activity takes the pressure off.
• Is the food good at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax? No confirmed food programme data is available for this location. Arcade bars in this format typically offer bar snacks or a limited menu rather than a full kitchen. Do not plan The 1up as your dinner venue , eat before you arrive or pair it with a nearby Colfax restaurant. If food quality matters to the evening, consider Noble Riot or Vaultaire for a bar-with-food option in Denver.
• Is The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax good for groups? Yes , this is one of the stronger group options in Denver for the price. The activity-led format keeps large parties engaged without requiring everyone to sit at the same table. For groups of six or more, the format works better here than at a standard cocktail bar where space and noise become friction points. Ace Eat Serve offers a comparable activity-bar format if you want an alternative to compare.