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Carioca Cafe - Bar Bar
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Dive Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
2060 Champa StDenver, CO 80205
Neighborhoods: Northwest, Five Points
(303) 296-1250
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Wed, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Carioca Cafe - Bar Bar
Review Highlights
"The bartenders are awesome and this is the true american..."
(in 5 reviews)
"Cheap drinks, friendly faces."
(in 3 reviews)
"I have seen some killer bands there."
(in 4 reviews)
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27 reviews in English
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Review from J C.
Seattle, WA
1/6/2012
Bar Bar is the shit. Period. And what? Hipsters come to this bar? More like hardcore, kick-your-face-in-if-they-have-to, Tom Waits-lovin' bike messengers. And you know what? They're all so full of love and misery. It's perfect. Smokers, come in from the cold and enjoy that cancer with your buddies. Drinkers, bring a little cash and get happy. Enjoy.
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Review from Cliff T.
5/17/2011
It takes a certain type of person to love this place. If you like cheap drinks (cash only) and don't mind homeless dudes "showering" in the bathroom, this is your place.
OK, I'm just joking about the homeless, but that does paint you a picture, right?
As a smoker, I like that they basically sherk the whole "smoking ban" thing. -
Review from Greg M.
San Diego, CA
12/30/2010
Bar Bar belongs in a Mike Leigh film.
I once mistook a homeless man urinating in the toilet hallway of bar bar for a CU professor. Or perhaps he tried to convince me that he was a professor. Either way, I wasn't about to hold his drink at that particular moment. Which is what he wanted.
I once (drunkenly) tried to pay for drinks with plastic. I'm fairly sure that the bartender was drunk too, I'd hand it to him. He'd look at it for about 20 seconds then hand it back to me. I'd look at it for about twenty seconds then hand it back to him. This was repeated several times. I started giggling.
In the back, by the pool tables I turned down a guy who wanted to bum a smoke. He muttered "I'll take a picture of you, man". I just looked at him. He grinned, then oddly, he apologized. It was mystifying.
Bar Bar is the only place I can consistently find parking, directly across the street. At any time. This also presents the unique double-edged sword of being one of the most likely places in Denver that my window would be broken out and my ashtray stolen. I have optimal parking, at equally optimal chance of a break-in. I suppose it all just comes down to how much I want that PBR and if I'm willing to sacrifice my window and car ashtray for it.
I once was introduced to the most anti-social drug dealer outside on the curb next to Bar Bar. I attempted to engage him in a discussion on music, but he was having none of it. I'm still stymied by how he keeps existing or gets new customers with such poorly oriented customer service.
An ex-girlfriend once took me to see a friend play music there. The scene was hilarious. The place was packed with nervous looking hipsters, ringed by what looked like homeless bikers and every time there was an interaction between the two, the hipster would invariably, shakingly make their way back to where they were standing. It was like watching cattle being herded by predators, or ping pong balls in one of those wind-driven lotto containers.
But somehow, if Bar Bar was to disappear, I would be sad. I would miss a part of downtown Denver.Listed in: Best unpretentious and cheap…
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Review from Nathan B.
Denver, CO
7/5/2010
Ah Bar Bar. I was once told that God does not see you when you are in Bar Bar. I would only hope that is true.
It is a cash only bar. You will need no more than twenty bucks to get beyond smashed. At 10pm-Midnight if you order a drink they give you a little plastic cup that is good for another drink. So your first drink is buy one get one.
Yes, people smoke in the back. Yes, I have seen people refill their beers with ones out of their back packs. Yes you may walk in the restroom and find a homeless person bathing in the sink. It is all of these small things, that remind me that I belong at Bar Bar.
I love when they have bands there. They are literally inches from you. Yet they still bring amps...It is deafening but that is the way it is supposed to be.
So, screw the plush Lodo clubs! Take me to Bar Bar and leave me there to die. I assure you I will die a happy and very drunk man. -
Review from Tiffany N.
Denver, CO
3/11/2009
This place is a hip dive bar. It kind of reminds me of the Lion's Lair, but not as dirty and without the black paint. They play live music, but there isn't a stage. The band just plays on the floor with the crowd, which always makes for an interesting concert experience.
It is cash only, however you don't exactly need a lot of cash to enjoy your night there. Some prices from last night included $6 pitchers of Miller Lite and PBR and $3 Stoli vodkas so it's pretty dang cheap.
A fair warning, they don't exactly abide by the smoking ban and so by the end of the night you will be stinking of cigarette smoke.
Finally, the one fact that I must mention. This is another bar with fast Ms. Pac-Man. However, the machine is a little out of wack, my banana was purple and my apple was yellow. But, it worked perfectly fine for what I needed. -
Review from Michael S.
Denver, CO
11/8/2009
I went to see a friend's band at the Bar bar last night and lived to tell about it. This joint is a dump, covered in graffiti, photographs and stink. I loved it. It was the perfect venue for a rock show. It reminded me of the old 15th Street Tavern back in the day.
Drinks were strong and cheap, the place was full of hoodlums. There are two pool tables in a back room, full of smoke. The bathrooms make you forget about swine flu fear. There are bigger sanitation issues at hand.
The guys behind the bar were really cool, and funny. This isn't a LoDo crowd. It was full of dirty rock enthusiasts, and a surprising amount of women for the scene. You know the type, the really cute girl with the major dirtbag boyfriend who smells funny.
They shoved the bands in a corner, and the bands blasted back. Everyone seemed to have fun. I liked it. I just need a shower.Listed in: Reviews I'd Hoped Be Found…
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Review from Kristy R.
Denver, CO
4/20/2009
It's a Dive Bar. So 3 stars translates to 5 stars in Dive (Sh*thole) Bar Status...
This place is dirty, only takes cash, never crowded with overdressed snobby people from Lodo, possibly patronized by the most homeless people in Denver and I totally dig it.
This is a fun place to go if you're not phobic of dirt and want to drink... not dance to club music, or overpay for drinks.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Christina O.
Denver, CO
4/28/2009
I've lived within 2 blocks of Bar Bar (Carioca Cafe? Whatever!) and worked right next to it for the better part of 3 years. However, I was never lured into the murky interior of Bar Bar before for a few reasons. Mostly, it was the fact that while I worked across the street I saw no fewer than FOUR dead people be wheeled out on gurneys from Bar Bar. The office clan would murmur things like, "Another one died at the bar." It seemed to be a place old drunks would go to die on the bar counter. Which may be true. I'm fairly sure I'd never step foot in Bar Bar during the daytime.
Night is a different vibe at Bar Bar though. Live music, a young grungy lively crowd, and 6 dollar pitchers of beer is enough to lure me into the unsavory looking establishment. So sure...there may be ghosts of alcoholics past haunting the dingy booths of Bar Bar, but they probably just add scummy flavor to this funky dive. -
Review from kelli s.
Denver, CO
1/7/2008
BAR BAR
I LOVE this dive bar! Best place ever to catch up with friends over a few pitchers. Kickass Juke box, really great bartenders (that turn into fight mediators very quickly)
They have a 7 a.m. happy hour, for however you care to spend your early morning. The dart board is adjacent to the ladies room, which makes for very interesting interactions.
My neighbor (who's 83 now) used to come here when it was "the nicest dance hall off Curtis St."
These days, it's not high on class, but it's full of character. This is the best dive bar in Denver! -
Review from Heather D.
Brooklyn, NY
1/23/2007
Fuck the haters. This is the best dive in Denver. Who cares that most of the people are drunk and homeless and fighting - thats half the fun! And weak drinks? Maybe the bartenders just don't want your lame-o negative-nancy vibe there so they pour you crappy drinks.
The drinks are ridiculously cheap, the people are like free entertainment - its almost like being at the zoo but with booze and a sweet jukebox. People who give bar bar one star are obviously not in it to win it dive style - you'd probably be better off at some fake wannabe dive owned by a millionaire like . . . hmmm. . . Rockbar? -
Review from Maren C.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2006
This bar is a last resort. You go here when you're still up and need a beer to take the edge off your evening and prepare yourself for sleep. They open at 6 am. It is disgusting inside, and my male friends won't even go in the bathroom because there is always some crackhead going to the bathroom in the sink.
The PBR is always way too foamy. The Diet Coke tastes like death. They have some god awful special featuring a shot of Beam and a PBR for some cheap price. This place terrifies and intrigues me. It's like an awful trainwreck that I can't escape or look away from. No trip to Denver is complete without a visit here and a game of noisy Air Hockey. -
Review from Barry J.
Denver, CO
5/2/2011
Went here with a girl friend last night. Watched her teach a homeless guy to two step. But then his funds ran out and the juke box stopped playing. The bathroom may be a bit grimey but they got PBR for $1.25 so its worth holding your nose when you pee. I will be back bar bar.
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Review from Jill S.
7/3/2010
Dive bar but in more of a crust punk way than an old man or hipster way.
Pretty decent. Nice crew. Cheap shots. Dark and has a pinball machine. -
Review from Samantha G.
Portland, OR
7/16/2008
I love barbar. Cheap drinks, friendly faces.
Sometimes Indians get drunk there and yell at white people for ruining their country. Pool table, air hockey, great jukebox, and beautiful grafitti on the walls. Crust punk haven. Sometimes barbar hosts totally awesome shows at which glass is broken and people get drenched in sweat, the place so crowded that standing on booths or sitting on the top of the pinball machine is okay. Other times, you may catch a substandard DJ or band promising to be back next month... there are always homeless people to dance with if you're lonely, bored, or really drunk. If you piss off a regular, the whole bar will defend them. There are no rules at barbar. -
Review from Lauren R.
Denver, CO
9/20/2007
What's that? Did you say you wanted to spend your night drinking cheap beer while watching a lovely homeless couple slow dance to Stevie Nicks? Ding! You have found the correct review.
This is pretty much the best bar to drink cheap and play pool and watch drunk people fall all over themselves. Sometimes a guy sits at the bar and sells playing cards with naked ladies on them, in addition to assorted pens and trinkets. They have bands too. Just sit back and watch the magic happen. There is also the best mural of all time painted in the back room by the pool tables.
The bartenders are awesome and this is the true american dive bar.
Its ca$h only but they have an ATM.
Oh, and dont listen to the title that appears on Yelp - its not Carioca Cafe. Its called Bar Bar. -
Review from Seanery M.
Grand Rapids, MI
9/28/2010
Ha, this place is a dive for sure. The few times I came here there was always quite a few good looking ladies floating in and out. Great crap hanging all over the walls too.
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Review from dan c.
Salt Lake City, UT
8/7/2006
bar bar gets two stars simply because it's open at 6am, even on a sunday, while other bars are not. when you need a beer at 6am in denver you go to bar bar.
later, when you have smoke blown in your face (though smoking inside of a business establishment is not legal in denver) and get a headache from the loud domestic spat going on at the next booth you will regret the decision to get a beer at 6am.
you have to go at least once. after that it's at your own risk. -
Review from Claudia B.
El Paso, TX
7/11/2006
bar bar is, to put it mildly, bar-hell on earth. i feel dirty just walking in there. there is ALWAYS a fight. there is a reason half of the patrons are homeless: this place should be called bar for losers.
honestly, if you are poor and need a drink and you didn't sell plasma this morning to get your drinking money then just go to 404.
also: my roommate, who is a posh brit pop girl, got called a crack whore while standing outside of this joint. place blows. -
Review from David H.
Wheat Ridge, CO
11/30/2010
I've been to Bar Bar a bunch. Saw a stabbing one time. There was blood everywhere.
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Review from Scott T.
Denver, CO
9/7/2008
A.K.A. BAR BAR
I used to go to the Carioca years ago when I was a cab driver for now-defunct Zone cab (Denver, you miss voice dispatched cabs and you don't even know it!!!) Now I go to Bar Bar. I have seen some killer bands there. I have witnessed the sad, but this place is like a community club. people are open and friendly. The bartenders are even better, and the cheapest drinks around. OK, you'd better like gritty and primal for your trip to the Men's room, and I actually miss the long trough pisser they used to have (ladies this is a long porcelain urinal that services several users at the same time, and generally keeps some jerk from pissing in the sink) The ladies is a different story. they have to wait in line with groups of people who go in together even though it is a single. The crowd is wildly different from day to nighttime. It's fun to show up around 5pm and nurse it slowly over a few hours just to watch the transition from serious dive to fun and hoppin night crew. There are always a few stragglers, remnants from the day shift that hang through the night, always adding spice to the pot.
If you like cosmos at mynt don't come here. If the Roslyn leaves you almost satisfied, come on down the hill. We're just off Broadway by the strange weather station -
Review from Marlena F.
Denver, CO
5/18/2010
This place is awesome. Love it.
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Review from Claude F.
Denver, CO
6/10/2008
hit this place Friday night for the first time. i love dives when there's half hipsters and half homeless people. the band was set up right there next to the tables and the bar let them play loud.
cheap drinks were also had. -
Review from Nel E.
Aurora, CO
6/28/2009
It's Bar Bar, and if you don't know that you're a douche. You're also a douche bag if you're not a homeless person, a crack addict, an alcoholic bum, a fledgling hipster (don't even think about locking your bike out front if it's not a fixed gear) you want to see shitbags play oh so punk tunes out of an 800 dollar amp? be my guest. I've got a better idea wanna come in from a heavy night in Lo-Do and impress your friends with the whole "yeah check it out I'm cool I come here all the time I know dude Pfffff a dive bar yeah we're cool!!!" When you gotta ask uhh... where's the bathroom yo?! YOU SUCK... cheap drinks, Hep -C , Lee behind the bar, no problem Bar Bar is the safest place on earth, my favorite bar forever... don't come anywhere near here :)
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Review from eric t.
Los Angeles, CA
3/25/2008
whats with the negativity people?!?! i dont get it. this place is a staple to all drunks and bar hounds alike. the world series of drinking if you will.
historically this place, i believe is one of the first five bar licenses in denver, its that old. yes it might be a last resort, but to be honest, when your chasing last call, this is the best place ever!!! the bartenders are always great, and they often have guest bartenders all the time.
and whats a pro bar without a great pool table in back?!!? top that off with a service window straight to the bar.
seriously folks, if you cant hang get the fuck out. -
Review from pablo e.
Winter Park, CO
11/19/2008
if you are the type of drinker who worries about who is drinking at a bar instead of opening up a little to perfect strangers then this is not your type of place. ive been to bar bar 5 times now (by no means a regular) and it has always been a fun place for a couple rounds. nobody asks to "spare schwill" or tried to sell me drugs, and folks are there to drink. yeah it's a little dirty, yeah it's right by the buses that go to mexico, yeah people do coke off the tables, but the awesome jukebox makes it worth the shortcomings.
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Review from joshua s.
Denver, CO
7/11/2006
am I the only person who thinks this place sucks? the drinks are weak. when there is a band or a dj, the drinks are hiked up a dollar or something. the regulars are... unsavory. the only good thing about this place is that sometimes there is some dude selling bootleg dvds in the bathroom. you know when homer quits going to moes and goes to the dive bar? this is that bar.
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Review from d t.
Denver, CO
2/28/2008
This place is just weird.The hotties bring their friends for some slumming I guess at 10 o'clock at nite.Go in there at 8 am and find the prime beer-drinking demographic of this sad place.This place is just sad.The beer fumes at 8 am are over-powering.Who said alcoholism was romantic? This is a nightmare.Just scruffy and pointless.Is this where Jack Kerouac ended up?
