Ay Papi

A few months ago I stumbled into Ay Papi and quickly realized I had found something special. The atmosphere is fun and festive, the music keeps the energy up, and the whole place has a vibe that feels different from a lot of other spots around Denver. I tried several cocktails from the menu and every one of them was excellent. It’s clear the drink menu is thoughtfully put together, and the bartenders take real pride in what they’re making and that energy carries throughout the room. One of the best parts of sitting at the bar is watching them work. Each bartender has their own style and approach, which makes the experience feel more personal and interesting. You can really feel the camaraderie behind the bar. I’ve started coming here pretty regularly, and it’s quickly become my favorite place in Denver to grab a drink and share a laugh. Whether it’s stopping in for a relaxed weekday cocktail or heading out for a lively weekend night, Ay Papi always seems to deliver. Amanda, the manager, is lovely and always has a smile to share. Christopher, Miguel, and Kevin—along with the rest of the Ay Papi team—have served up some of the best drinks I’ve had. It’s the kind of place where you plan for one round and end up staying much longer than you expected. If you’re a fan of a good Carajillo, definitely try theirs. They make their own cold brew in-house, which gives the drink a smooth, rich flavor and makes it one of my favorites. Needless to say, I’m already looking forward to my next visit. Ay Papi has that rare mix of great drinks and great energy that keeps people lingering a little longer.

Wife and I stepped out to celebrate our 11th Wedding Anniversary and decided to visit Ay Papi. Best decision ever. Music was amazing, drinks amazing and staff were fun and energetic! Great convo with bar tender and amazing celebratory shots were made just for us! We will be back very soon!

Very nice looking bar! Perfect decor for being able to create a memorable experience with some people. Staff were not much help, tho.

We came here on a Friday evening and it was pretty empty. That should have been the first red flag. Second red flag was when the servers convinced us to order a bottle of wine and then brought over a completely different red wine that was chilled for some reason. They explained they were out of the bottle they had originally pushed on us. The servers were also oddly intrusive, interrupting our groups conversation every few minutes to ask if we wanted to order anything else. The final straw was when they tacked on a 20% service charge without informing us. I only found out about the charge after I had already tipped and left the bar. Reputable bars and restaurants always inform the customer about the added gratuity beforehand. We were hoping for an elegant cocktail bar but Ay Papi is not that, nor is it a charming dive. It just felt disappointing and soulless. Will not be coming back to Ay Papi nor will I recommend it to others.