The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax
North Capitol Hill, Denver
Bar in Denver, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
The 1up Arcade Bar on Colfax is Denver's most accessible activity-led bar night: no cover, no reservation needed, arcade machines included with your drinks spend. It works well for groups and casual dates who want entertainment built in, but the high noise level and interior-only setup make it a poor fit if conversation or craft cocktails are your priority.
About 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, 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, 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, late-night energy. The bar fits that character: unpretentious, accessible, 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.
| Venue | Booking Required | Format | Noise Level | Value Proposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The 1up Arcade Bar (Colfax) | No | Arcade bar, walk-in | High | Free arcade with drinks spend |
| Death & Co (Denver) | Recommended | Cocktail bar | Medium | Premium cocktails, higher per-head spend |
| Williams & Graham | Recommended | Speakeasy cocktail bar | Low-Medium | High craft, quieter room |
| Yacht Club | No | Dive bar | High | Low spend, neighbourhood feel |
| Ace Eat Serve | No | Ping pong bar | High | Activity-led, comparable format |
How It Compares
See the full comparison section below.
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Planning details
- Location
- 717 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
- Website
- the1uparcadebar.com/pages/colfax
- Phone
- +1 303 779 6444
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The 1up Arcade Bar leans into East Colfax’s louder, less curated character, combining neon-soaked nostalgia with an industrial, activity-first layout. Arcade machines are treated as the venue’s structural heartbeat, and the space feels intentionally built around play rather than polished cocktail ceremony. That hybrid identity produces a casual, retro-tinged energy: it’s the kind of place where groups linger for multiple rounds, noise and movement are part of the appeal, and the drink program exists to keep the momentum going. The bar reads as an urban-night destination that prioritizes communal fun over quiet refinement.
Best For
This is a destination for groups and anyone planning a full evening out who values activity and atmosphere as much as beverages. It suits friends on a casual outing, folks seeking a late-night stop, and patrons who prefer a buzzing, game-forward environment to a sedate cocktail tasting. The 1up is less ideal for those after intimate conversation or a single, carefully crafted drink to center an evening; instead, it rewards multi-stage nights where play, socializing, and accessible cocktails carry the experience.
Ordering Tips
Expect a two-track drinks approach: a concise list of fast, repeatable house cocktails built for one-handed play, plus a broader spirits selection for guests who want something more contemplative. If you’re there to game and socialize, lean on the quick, well-priced house pours or straightforward beers to minimize downtime between rounds. Reserve the longer spirit-driven choices for moments when you’re sitting out a game. The program is designed for speed and accessibility, so plan orders that keep your group moving through the night.
Venue details
Ambiance
Club-style atmosphere with energetic crowds, retro arcade lighting, and a lively adult-only vibe.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Beer Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Club Style
Signature Pours
- Flower Power
- Heisenberg
- Tony Montana
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Death & Co (Denver); Notable alternative
- Williams & Graham; Notable alternative
- Yacht Club; Notable alternative
- Vaultaire; French-inspired small plates, French-inspired small plates
- Noble Riot; Notable alternative
Bar context
Within Denver's bar scene, The 1up Arcade Bar occupies a specific and useful niche: activity-led socialising at a low per-head cost. It is not competing with Death & Co (Denver) or Williams & Graham on cocktail craft; those two are the right call if a well-made drink and a quieter room are what you are after. Williams & Graham in particular, with its speakeasy format and lower noise level, is the better address for a date or a small group that wants to talk. Death & Co suits the drinker who wants serious cocktail technique and is willing to plan ahead for a reservation.
Against Ace Eat Serve, the comparison is closer. Both run an activity-bar model; Ace with ping pong tables, The 1up with arcade machines; and both skew toward groups who want to do something rather than just drink. Ace Eat Serve adds a stronger food programme to the equation, which makes it the better pick if your group wants a full evening including a meal. The 1up wins on nostalgia and machine variety if the arcade format is the specific draw.
Yacht Club and Noble Riot are worth knowing about as alternatives depending on what you are optimising for. Yacht Club is a low-key neighbourhood bar with a similarly unpretentious feel and comparable ease of entry; choose it if you want a quieter version of the same casual night. Noble Riot leans toward a more considered drinks and small-plates experience. For groups specifically looking to spend an evening that does not involve a sit-down format, The 1up on Colfax is the path of least resistance at the lowest effective cost per person in this peer set.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax | Denver | No published awards | ; |
| Death & Co (Denver) | Denver | ; | 2022 North America's 50 Best Bars · #36Pearl Recommended Bars |
| Williams & Graham | Denver | ; | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #3522014 World's 50 Best Bars · #50 |
| Yacht Club | Denver | ; | Top 500 Bars 2027 · #3442026 Food & Wine Top 10 US Bars · #82026 North America's 50 Best Bars · #672026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award SemifinalistsTales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons - Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons (Top 10 Nominee)2025 North America's 50 Best Bars · #412025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2023 World's 50 North America's Best Bars · #42 |
| Vaultaire | Denver | French-inspired small plates | No published awards |
| Noble Riot | Denver | No published awards | ; |
How The 1up Arcade Bar Colfax compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax?
No reservation needed. The 1up at 717 E Colfax operates walk-in only for general floor access, which makes it one of Denver's easier last-minute options. On busy weekend nights the space fills up, so arriving earlier in the evening gives you better pick of the machines.
What's the signature drink at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax?
Specific drink menu details aren't in the venue record, but The 1up's format is built around accessibility: drinks priced to keep you playing, not to impress. Expect beer, standard cocktails, shots over a craft program. If a serious cocktail list matters, Williams & Graham is the better Denver call.
What's the crowd like at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax?
Loud, social, mixed-age. The Colfax location draws a broad Denver crowd including after-work groups, date nights, weekend regulars who treat the arcade games as the main event rather than background noise. It is not a scene bar; people are here to play and drink, not to be seen.
Is The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax good for a date?
Yes, with the right expectations. The built-in activity removes the pressure of carrying conversation all night, the price point keeps things low-stakes. It works better as a first or second date than a special occasion; for the latter, Death & Co Denver fits the bill more convincingly.
Is the food good at The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax?
Food details aren't documented in the venue record. The 1up's core proposition is drinks plus arcade games, so treat any food offering as secondary. If a solid food-and-drink combination is the priority for your night, check what's available before committing.
Is The 1up Arcade Bar - Colfax good for groups?
It's one of Denver's more practical group options precisely because there's no reservation requirement and the arcade format gives everyone something to do. Groups of four to ten work well here. For a more structured group night with a reserved space and a cocktail focus, Noble Riot or Vaultaire are worth comparing.
