Hi! I’m Cassis. I’ve lived in Denver for almost five years and have had my fair share of late nights. Initially, it was staying up to complete assignments for my classes at DU. Essays evolved into articles for the school newspaper, eventually leading to pieces for Bucket List and the Denver North Star.
As I got older, my nights got longer, and the early-morning taco runs of my late teens turned into dancing into the morning and dates at 24-hour diners in my early twenties. When I moved to Baker earlier this year, the game changed again, and I stumbled across a slew of new late-night spots.
Denver’s late-night snack scene is a shell of its lively daytime counterpart. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many late-night regulars to stay at home, and Denver’s 24-hour establishments have suffered greatly since then. The Breakfast King, Tom’s Diner, 20th Street Cafe and Denver Diner, all 24-hour diners that had been open in Denver for years, all closed during the pandemic.
Today, the few round-the-clock dining experiences that remain are only open on weekends, and most kitchens close up shop by midnight. But while Denver’s late-night scene might be going through it, the city still has a few spots for its resident night owls. Here are a few of my favorites:
The Bardo Coffee House in Baker
Trying to meet a late-night deadline? Chatting with a loved one in a different time zone? Looking for a short break from a stressful or dramatic living situation? Been there, friend—Bardo is your spot.
This coffee shop at Alameda and Broadway is open until midnight seven days a week and serves as a hub for Denverites’ side quests. This is my spot when I can’t force myself to get my work done at any of my other “productive” working locations.Â
With my mug of black coffee and a slice of lemon poppyseed bread, there’s no mountain I can’t scale—AKA, no article I can’t finish. The nighttime atmosphere is peaceful, ideal for both quiet conversation and academic pursuits, and they even have a small patio out back for extra seating.
The Bardo Coffe House, 238 South Broadway, Denver. Hours: 6 a.m. to midnight. Learn more at www.bardocoffee.com.
Great Scotts Eatery in North Denver
While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of Denver’s 24-hour restaurants to close permanently, Great Scotts Eatery, just south of Thornton, remains open. They currently only operate 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays, but management says they plan to return to 24/7 in the coming months.
The first time I came here was with an ex-partner, and while we have since parted ways, the diner still holds a special place in my heart because it represents one of the lighter moments in our relationship. Be warned, though; the little stuffed animal machine WILL rob you blind.
Great Scotts’ milkshakes are delicious, and the breakfast spread goes hard. I can not wait for this place to reopen around the clock so I can eat its greasy spoon-style food all day, every day.
Great Scotts Eatery Denver, 1295 Cortez Street, Denver. Hours: Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday are 24/7. Sunday from 12 a.m. to 10 p.m. Learn more at greatscottseatery.com.
Pete’s Kitchen on Colfax
This establishment has been open for 42 years. Like Great Scotts, Pete’s Kitchen is one of the few old-school Denver diners that survived the pandemic, though it only offers 24-hour service on Fridays and Saturdays.
Its central location and classic menu items such as the Philly Cheese Steak and a variety of Greek and Mexican dishes make it a must-visit for anyone looking for some late-night shenanigans on Colfax. Its neon signs and old photos immediately make you feel at home.
Pete’s is also a great place to play I Spy and people-watch while eating.
Pete’s Kitchen, 1962 East Colfax Avenue, Denver. Hours: Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday are 24/7. Sunday from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m. Learn more at www.petesrestaurants.com.
Los Gallitos Taqueria on Alameda
Los Gallitos Taqueria, located on Alameda just a few blocks east of Federal and open until three a.m., is an excellent late-night destination.
It has a drive-through, but I prefer to eat inside if it is not too crowded so that I can get all of my favorite salsas from the dining room’s small topping bar. They get super busy on the weekends, but food never takes too long to come out and is always delicious.
Los Gallitos is also a place of firsts for me—it was a regular hangout with the first person I ever loved, and it was here that I tried sliced radishes on my tacos for the first time. Whether you are looking for a midday snack or a post-late-night activity run, this is the place.
Los Gallitos Taqueria, 2630 West Alameda Avenue, Denver. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. Learn more at losgallitostaqueria.shop.
Pita Fresh in the DU neighborhood
Pita Fresh, located at University and Evans, was a late-night favorite of mine at DU, and many of my nights ended with chicken shawarma or a falafel sandwich from this hidden gem.
Pita Fresh’s hours, baklava, and proximity to campus make it a popular late-night destination for students, though the place can get crowded on Friday and Saturday nights when school is in session.
But Pita Fresh is much more than just a late-night snack. They also serve Syrian and Jordanian entrees such as mansaf and lamb shanks, as well as a variety of vegetarian options. The staff are lovely, the food always hits, and they’re open until three. What more could you want?
Pita Fresh, 2075 South University Boulevard, Denver. Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Learn more at www.pitafreshmenu.com.
And there you have it—my go-to spots when the clock strikes “late” and hunger strikes. Denver’s late-night food scene may have dimmed a bit in recent years, but it’s far from dark.
Whether you’re grinding through deadlines at Bardo, savoring salsa and memories at Los Gallitos or wrapping up your night with shawarma at Pita Fresh, there’s still a little something for everyone when the stars are out.
So the next time you find yourself wide awake with an appetite, remember: the Mile High City’s late-night gems are here for you. Just maybe leave the stuffed animal machine at Great Scotts alone; it has already taken enough money from Denverites. Happy snacking!
