Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: drinks (14) Great (8) good (8) speakeasy (7) live (7) music (7) cocktail (7) hour (7) comedy (6) Boulder (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Harrison C. D. 2 years ago on Google
    Located beneath the Hotel Boulderado this Speakeasy is almost liking stepping into the past! The beautiful ambiance features some historic artificers on display and houses the classic elevator mechanics of the above hotel! #license #1 #speakeasy #hotelboulderado #boulder #colorado #rockymountains
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Casey E. 1 year ago on Google
    Love the layout of this speakeasy, lots of alcoves with comfy seating. Great atmosphere and drinks. Also highly recommend checking out one of their comedy shows.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jack M. 5 months ago on Google
    This review only concerns the bouncer at jazz night. I was stone sober and drinking a Yerba Mate. I never attempted to enter the establishment holding it, and I did my best to chug it in line while adhering to everything he said to me. He got angry despite my submission, so I can only assume that he thought my Yerba was a tall boy or something. But to act on a potential misinterpretation to the point of anger is something I can't condone--especially since I abided by every order he gave to me. The rest of you guys are probably wonderful, so I'm sorry about this review. Anyway: to the bouncer himself, I hope you don't take your problems out on anyone else. I'm just an exasperated musician who wanted to hear some live music at 8 o'clock on a Wednesday night.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Noah K. 1 year ago on Google
    One of my favorite bars. Great drinks and the space is super cozy. Lots of little nooks and crannies to get lost in. Used to be a place called the catacombs which was a fitting name. I recently went to a comedy show with friends and it was just ok. I felt for the price of the show it was lacking. I’ve been to see a couple shows in Denver with bigger comedians for the same price. I felt I had to fake laugh at some do the material. The main person was ok though. I had never had food here before and ordered the calamari which was pretty good. Couldn’t tell if they made it fresh or not but I did like it. Definitely will be back for drinks.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher C. 2 years ago on Google
    On the more expensive side but not unexpected for a speakeasy style cocktail bar. Jazz bands are fun and you can actually hear your date. I’ve always been treated well here by the staff and their truffle fries are pretty fantastic when paired with an old fashioned!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Cassidy N. 1 year ago on Google
    I loved this environment, plus the drinks and food were delicious! Felt like I was part of the Great Gatsby. Highly recommend the brussel sprouts.

  • 5/5 k g. 1 year ago on Google
    This is my go to bar in Boulder. The cocktails are amazing, especially their Moscow mule. They make their own ginger bear and it’s delicious! Also great vibes it has a prohibition era vibe to it and is in the basement. Sometimes they have live music and open mics.

  • 4/5 Peter D. 4 months ago on Google
    Stopped by for happy hour. The happy hour menu is pretty small, but the $5 mules were delicious and a steal. The actual drink menu looked good, but was pricey

  • 5/5 Chelsey Mclendon M. 3 months ago on Google New
    Great speakeasy vibe bar! Steak and calamari were delicious. Tasty espresso martinis as well.

  • 5/5 Aneesh “Sāmo” G. 3 months ago on Google New
    Love this place, hope it stays around forever. Have been coming here since there was a pool table, and Banshee Tree played swing music every Saturday. The bar is counter-service only (at least Th-S) which can make it feel impersonal, but the bartenders are on point and seldom keep you waiting overly long to order. Working a volume cocktail bar can be hella stressful so I don't take instances of brusqueness personally. That said, it's hard not to be disappointed by a $20 sidecar that fell short of the mark, both literally (room left in the coupe glass) and tastefully. Refrained from a complaint because it was fairly busy and I didn't want to be that guy... Comedy + Live Music on the weekends, in legit 1 of 2 of the only real neo-speak/cocktail bars in Boulder. Come through, be nice, tip well, and have a good time Shouts out to Monica the G.O.A.T. who has yet to make me a drink that didn't surpass expectation

  • 5/5 Nick P. 11 months ago on Google
    Great Boulder bar. Weekend comedy by Comic Cents is worth the trip. Small venue comedy with some great comedians.

  • 5/5 Nick K. 1 year ago on Google
    Happy hour on a Saturday?! Definitely a nice spot that’s very affordable. Can be tough to get a booth/ table. Great place for a cocktail

  • 5/5 Natasha K. 11 months ago on Google
    I've come here multiple times and the drinks have never been disappointing. Very high quality drinks, reasonable prices and the bartenders are quite knowledgeable compared to other cocktail places. The vibe is very speakeasy, luxurious and intimate. There are a few rooms that you can go explore at. They also have live music some nights. Overall, one of the best cocktail bars in Boulder on pearl street.

  • 5/5 Lauren M. 1 year ago on Google
    License No. 1 was fantastic. Speakeasy vibes with charm and character. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday evenings they host a comedy show that is so much fun. My cheeks still hurt from laughing. Whether you’re from the area or just visiting, I highly recommend taking the 1.5 hours to sit and enjoy the laughs, drinks, and bites! You’ll be left in stitches, buzzed up, and ready for more. Thank you License No. 1 for such an enjoyable evening. Can’t wait to go back!

  • 5/5 Corey 1 year ago on Google
    Great service from the bartenders. All were so nice and not flustered or mean from how busy they were. Drinks were made very well and the live band played fun jazzy music. I liked the ambiance and how fun this place is. If you don’t know where you’re going, you can definitely miss this place.

  • 5/5 Ashley H. 1 year ago on Google
    Speakeasy vibes for sure! It’s like stepping back in time, located in the basement of the Boulderado hotel. They have everyday drink offerings as well as fancy cocktails. This place is a maze of rooms that I’m assuming we’re used to hide illegal activities during the prohibition times. They have pool table, darts and skeeball, as well as a live entertainment area. The staff was super nice.

  • 5/5 Faith R. 2 years ago on Google
    Legendary! The best chocolate moose I’ve ever had. Beautifully crafted cocktails, something for everyone to enjoy. Lovely atmosphere.

  • 1/5 Riley B. 1 year ago on Google
    Would put 0 stars if I could… Ordered food on a weekend night before the bar got too busy, waited an hour and a half before they gave us a different order that was cold since it had been sitting out for an hour or so. Finally got the food refunded after asking for a manager and being at this location for 2 hours. Turns out the kitchen isn’t attached to this bar which I’m sure leads to a lot of confusion. Drinks were good but expensive and didn’t get anything comped or even our food, only our time wasted. Will not be returning.

  • 5/5 Luke 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic speakeasy themed bar under Hotel Boulderado. The drinks are incredibly good and it’s a great place to just get a couple drinks and have conversation. There are many different rooms and places to explore in the bar.

  • 2/5 Janessa B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great atmosphere and drinks. Food wasn’t very good, calamari was cold, and service left a lot to be desired. From what I could tell there were at least four employees, but none of them were interested in providing service.

  • 1/5 Kristina L. 1 year ago on Google
    As trashy as the downer but with fancy comfy chairs. Took over an hour for 2 drinks to get to the table and drinks weren't even decent. Would not recommend since it's overpriced for Boulder and what it's actually worth.

  • 5/5 Laura Xu C. 1 year ago on Google
    Fun and lovely place with very friendly staff. Either a comedy night or live music, you’ll have a great time.

  • 5/5 Pearl 1 year ago on Google
    The Night Owl was the best, most interesting drink I’ve ever had. Oliver was the best. He recommended our drinks and was very sweet! Definitely coming back.

  • 5/5 Doctor B. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a very cool experience for a friends birthday get together. They did not have any chartreuse which I was very disappointed about. But the drinks were still relatively unique with good options. The food was not amazing to be honest, calamari was a bit saltier than I’d like but was gluten free which is somewhat rare. The burger itself tasted pretty good but the gluten free bun which is tough to get right was quickly falling apart. I love the setup of the rooms and we had a great time playing pool - you do need some cash for change to make quarters - it’s 4 quarters for each pool game.

  • 5/5 Indy V. 4 years ago on Google
    A must visit cocktail jewel with craft cocktails and delicious bites. Happy hour may be one of the best or best in Boulder. And, to top it off, you can play pool!

  • 5/5 Teryn K. 2 years ago on Google
    Good service. We went of Halloween. My wife is pregnant and the made a fantastic mock-tail for her. Cool speakeasy vibe. Wanted to see live music but it started later than we stayed.


Call +1 303-442-4560 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Dancing
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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