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Top Haunted Bars In Colorado

Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park (credit: Darrell Spangler)

The leaves have turned to the colors of fall, the Colorado mountains are topped with snow and the summer air has departed with cool, crisp air in its place. Fall is here, which means the haunting season is upon us. There are many fun and spooky things to do across the metro area this time of year. Refer to this list for the best bars in the city and one beyond that will serve up a side of spirits with your spirits.

Blake Street Vault
1526 Blake St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 825-9833
www.blakestreetvault.com

Blake Street Vault is in the LoDo area and is a classic historical saloon. The restaurant and bar is rumored to be haunted by a saloon girl called 'brown ghost' or 'lady in red.' According to legend, she was a saloon girl from the original establishment in the 1860s. People have heard her walking across the old wooden floors in her high heels and others have seen her while walking down the stairs into the basement. She isn't the only ghost who haunts this bar, as there is also a story of a merchant marine that lives in the basement. Blake Street Vault gives tours regularly and you will need to call ahead to check on times. While visiting one of Denver's most haunted bars, you can also enjoy a full menu of both food and drink.

Related: Top Anti-Football Bars in Denver

Ship Tavern (inside the Brown Palace Hotel)
321 17th St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 297-3111
www.brownpalace.com

Ship Tavern is located inside the Brown Palace Hotel. The vintage, pub-like atmosphere features several micro-brewed beer and wine selections. It also provides a full menu around the clock with live entertainment each Wednesday through Saturday from 8:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. The building was built in 1892 and is a big part of Colorado history. In 1911, it was the site of one of Denver's most high-profile murders. Frank Henwood shot and killed Tony von Phul and George Copeland, who was an innocent bystander. Both Henwood and von Phul were in love with Isabel Springer, wife of political candidate John Springer. Underneath the hotel there are tunnels that go in every direction. Around this time of year, the hotel offers a ghost tour. Call for more information.

The Cruise Room (inside The Oxford Hotel)
1600 17th St.
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 628-5400
www.theoxfordhotel.com

The Cruise Room Bar is located inside The Oxford Hotel, built in 1891. It was the first bar to open in downtown Denver and it opened the day after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The trendy bar is famous for its handmade martinis, but maybe even more so for its haunted past. There is a legend of a man in a post office uniform who haunts the bar from time to time. He stopped in at the bar while traveling through on his way to Central City at Christmas time and never delivered the packages. The legend is that his body was found on the way to Central City with all of the packages with him.

The Stanley Hotel Bar
333 Wonderview Ave.
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 577-4000
www.stanleyhotel.comThe Stanley Hotel Bar is located in one of the most famous eerie hotels in the US. The hotel is famous because this is where Stephen King was staying when he came up with the idea to write "The Shining." This movie was released in 1980 and has become one of the most beloved horror films of all time and the television series was filmed on location. You can even order the 'Redrum Ale' which is made by the Estes Park Brewery.

Randolph's Restaurant and Bar (inside the Warwick Hotel)
1776 Grant St.
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 861-2000
www.warwickdenver.com

Randolph's Restaurant and Bar is located inside the Warwick Hotel in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood. This neighborhood is rumored to be one of the most haunted areas in Denver and there are regular ghost tours available. In the late 1960s, the local Playboy Club occupied the penthouse floor. The legend is that one of the bunnies died in a drug deal and she can sometimes be seen haunting the building.

Related: Top Pool Halls In Denver

Michelle Humphrey is a freelance writer living in Denver. Her work can be found here.

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