Denver's vibrant nightlife scene is legendary. From the buzzing energy of LoDo (Lower Downtown) to the eclectic bars lining Colfax Avenue, the Mile High City offers an incredible backdrop for a memorable bar crawl. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, hosting a bachelorette party, or simply enjoying a Saturday night with your crew, bar crawls are one of the most social and exciting ways to experience Denver's bar culture.
But let's be honest — a great night out requires more than just a good playlist and a group of friends. Safety, planning, and smart decision-making are what separate a legendary night from a regrettable one. This guide covers everything you need to know about bar crawl safety, so you can protect yourself and your friends while still having the absolute best time Denver's nightlife has to offer.
Why Bar Crawl Safety Should Be Your Top Priority
Bar crawls are inherently social, fun, and adventurous — but they also involve moving between multiple venues, consuming alcohol over an extended period, and often navigating unfamiliar streets. Without proper preparation, even the most well-intentioned group can find themselves in unsafe or uncomfortable situations.
Denver has seen a significant increase in organized bar crawl events in recent years, with thousands of participants joining themed crawls every weekend. With that growth comes the responsibility to ensure that every participant — whether it's your first crawl or your fiftieth — understands the basics of staying safe while having fun.
"The best bar crawl is one where everyone makes it home safely and wakes up the next morning with great stories — not regrets."
The good news? Staying safe doesn't mean sacrificing fun. In fact, the groups that plan ahead and look out for each other consistently report having the most enjoyable experiences. Here's how to make that happen.
Before You Go: Pre-Crawl Planning Essentials
Choose a Reputable Bar Crawl Organizer
One of the smartest decisions you can make is joining an organized bar crawl run by a trusted company. In Denver, Barcrawlerz is a well-known option for group bar crawl experiences, offering structured routes, pre-negotiated drink specials, and built-in safety considerations. Organized crawls take the guesswork out of planning, ensuring you're visiting vetted venues with a clear route and timeline.
When choosing an organizer, look for companies that communicate the route in advance, provide wristbands or identification for participants, have staff present throughout the event, and partner with reputable, licensed establishments.
Know Your Route in Advance
Whether you're joining an organized crawl or planning your own, map out the route before you leave. In Denver, popular bar crawl neighborhoods include LoDo, RiNo (River North Art District), Capitol Hill, and South Broadway. Each area has its own vibe and walkability factor, so understanding the geography helps you plan transportation and identify safe zones along the way.
Share the planned route with someone who isn't joining the crawl — a family member, roommate, or trusted friend. This simple step ensures someone always knows where you are.
Set a Budget and Stick to It
Financial stress can lead to poor decisions. Before heading out, decide how much you're comfortable spending and bring cash along with your card. Many Denver bars participate in drink specials during organized crawls, so your money can go further than you might expect. Having a preset limit also naturally helps pace your drinking throughout the night.
Charge Your Phone and Share Your Location
This sounds obvious, but it's one of the most commonly overlooked steps. Make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave. Consider bringing a portable power bank, especially for longer crawls. Enable location sharing with at least one trusted person — either someone in your group or someone at home — so there's always a way to track your whereabouts if things go sideways.
The Buddy System: Keeping Your Group Together
Designate a Group Leader
Every bar crawl group should have at least one designated leader — someone responsible for keeping the group organized, counting heads between venues, and making key decisions if something goes wrong. This doesn't mean the leader can't have fun; it just means one person is the go-to point of contact for logistics and safety checks.
Implement the Buddy System
Pair everyone up at the start of the night. Each buddy is responsible for checking in on their partner throughout the crawl. If someone needs to leave early, use the restroom, or step outside for air, their buddy goes with them. This simple system dramatically reduces the risk of anyone getting separated from the group or finding themselves in a vulnerable situation.
Establish a Meeting Point
Before entering each venue, establish a meeting point outside in case anyone gets separated. In busy Denver bars, it's easy to lose track of someone in a crowd. Knowing exactly where to regroup — whether it's the bar's front entrance or a specific street corner — keeps the group connected even when things get hectic.
"No one gets left behind. That's the golden rule of every successful bar crawl."
Drinking Responsibly Without Killing the Vibe
Pace Yourself Throughout the Night
A bar crawl typically spans several hours and multiple venues. The key to enjoying the entire experience — and feeling okay the next morning — is pacing yourself. Try to have one drink per venue rather than doubling up at every stop. Alternate alcoholic beverages with water or non-alcoholic drinks. Many Denver bars are happy to serve water, and staying hydrated makes a significant difference in how you feel by the end of the night.
Eat Before and During the Crawl
Never start a bar crawl on an empty stomach. Food slows the absorption of alcohol and gives you the energy to keep going throughout the night. Denver has incredible food options near most bar crawl districts — grab a meal in RiNo before hitting the bars, or plan a mid-crawl snack stop. Some organized crawls even incorporate food stops into the route, which is another great reason to go with a structured organizer like Barcrawlerz.
Know Your Limits and Respect Others'
Everyone has a different tolerance, and that's perfectly okay. Never pressure anyone in your group to drink more than they're comfortable with, and be honest with yourself about your own limits. If you or someone else starts showing signs of over-intoxication — slurred speech, loss of coordination, confusion — it's time to slow down or stop drinking entirely.
Watch Out for Drink Tampering
Unfortunately, drink spiking is a real concern in any nightlife setting. Never leave your drink unattended, and be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers. If you feel suddenly disoriented or unwell in a way that doesn't match how much you've consumed, alert someone in your group immediately and seek help from bar staff or security.
Transportation Safety in Denver
Plan Your Ride Home Before You Leave
One of the most critical safety decisions you'll make is how you're getting home. Never drive after drinking — not even after "just a couple." Denver has excellent rideshare options including Uber and Lyft, and the city's RTD light rail can be a convenient option depending on your route. Plan your transportation home before the crawl begins, not after you've been drinking for several hours.
Designate a Sober Driver or Use Group Rideshare
If your group is large, consider designating a sober driver who can shuttle people home in shifts. Alternatively, book a group rideshare or party bus through a local Denver transportation service. Some organized bar crawls, including those run by companies like Barcrawlerz, coordinate group transportation as part of the experience — another major safety advantage of going the organized route.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings When Leaving
When you're waiting for your rideshare or walking to your vehicle, stay alert. Stay in well-lit areas, keep your phone in your pocket rather than in your hand, and wait inside the bar or in a group rather than alone on the street. Denver is generally a safe city, but like any urban environment, it pays to stay aware, especially late at night.
Handling Emergencies on a Bar Crawl
Know When to Call for Help
If someone in your group is showing signs of alcohol poisoning — unconsciousness, unresponsive, slow or irregular breathing, bluish skin — call 911 immediately. Colorado's Medical Amnesty Law (also known as the Good Samaritan Law) protects individuals who call for help in alcohol-related emergencies from prosecution for minor in possession or public intoxication charges. Don't hesitate to call for help out of fear of legal consequences — your friend's life is worth more than any legal concern.
Locate Bar Staff and Security
At every venue, take a quick mental note of where the bar staff and security are located. These individuals are trained to handle difficult situations and can be invaluable resources if something goes wrong. Don't be afraid to approach them with concerns — a good bar takes the safety of its patrons seriously.
Have Emergency Contacts Ready
Program emergency contacts into your phone before the night begins, and make sure your group knows who to call in case of an emergency. It's also a good idea to write a backup contact number on your arm or carry a card in your wallet in case your phone dies.
Making the Most of Denver's Bar Crawl Scene
Join a Themed Crawl for Maximum Fun
One of the best ways to combine safety and fun is to join a themed bar crawl. Denver hosts everything from holiday crawls and costume events to sports-themed and neighborhood-specific crawls throughout the year. Themed crawls create a shared experience that brings strangers together and adds an extra layer of excitement to the night.
Companies like Barcrawlerz specialize in creating these kinds of memorable, organized experiences. With a structured itinerary, group wristbands, and built-in drink specials, you get all the fun of a bar crawl with significantly less of the logistical stress — leaving you free to focus on enjoying the night safely.
Respect the Venues and Staff
Denver's bar community thrives on mutual respect. Treat bartenders, servers, and security staff with courtesy and professionalism. Not only is it the right thing to do, but respectful patrons are also more likely to receive attentive service and assistance if they need it. Venues that regularly host bar crawls depend on positive relationships with participants, so being a good guest helps keep these events available for everyone.
Leave No One Behind
As the night winds down, do a final headcount before leaving each venue and again before dispersing at the end of the night. Make sure every member of your group has a safe ride home and someone to check in with when they arrive. A quick group text confirming everyone made it home safely is a small gesture that means a lot.
Final Thoughts: Fun and Safety Go Hand in Hand
Denver's bar crawl scene is one of the city's most exciting social traditions, and it's one that can be enjoyed safely with the right preparation and mindset. The tips outlined in this guide aren't about restricting your fun — they're about protecting it. When everyone in your group feels safe, looked after, and supported, the night becomes truly unforgettable for all the right reasons.
Whether you're planning a DIY crawl through RiNo, joining a massive holiday event in LoDo, or booking a fully organized experience through a company like Barcrawlerz, the foundation of a great night out is always the same: look out for each other, plan ahead, and drink responsibly.
"The best memories are made when everyone gets home safely. Plan smart, drink responsibly, and Denver's nightlife will never disappoint."
Now get out there, explore the incredible bars this city has to offer, and make some memories worth talking about — safely, smartly, and with your whole crew by your side.