Bikes, Brews & Hidden Bars: A Ride Through RiNo & Downtown

The most interesting part of this Denver tour is the mix: you ride from major downtown sights into RiNo’s mural-filled streets, then stop at local bars and food spots along the way. It gives you a quick sense of how Denver’s polished center and creative north side fit together.

I like the small group of six or fewer, which should make it easier to hear the guide and keep the ride relaxed. I also like the route’s variety, from Coors Field and Union Station to the Cherry Creek and Platte rivers, followed by about a dozen murals. The main consideration is that you cover roughly eight miles in three hours, so this is best for anyone comfortable spending an afternoon on a bike.

Key points at a glance

• Eight miles through several sides of Denver: The route links downtown, the Cherry Creek River, the Platte River, and RiNo.
• A dozen murals in RiNo: You get more than a quick look at Denver’s famous street art.
• Two or three drinking stops: Possible stops include Lincolns Speakeasy, Our Mutual Friends, Improper City, and Central Market.
• Two alcoholic drinks included: Your ticket also covers a bike, helmet, bottled water, and snacks.
• A small group with an English-speaking guide: The group is limited to six participants, and Jeremy is the guide named in the tour details.
• A useful arrival-day option: The afternoon timing worked well for one rider who wanted an activity after arriving in Denver.

Why this bike ride works so well in Denver

Denver is spread out enough that a walking tour can feel limited, but compact enough for a bike to connect several districts in one outing. This ride takes advantage of that. You get major sights downtown, river paths and crossings, public art in RiNo, and a few stops for drinks without spending the day in a vehicle.

I like this sort of route because it helps you understand the city’s layout. You are not simply taken from one attraction to another. You move through the spaces between them, seeing how downtown gives way to the River North Art District.

The ride is also more social than a standard sightseeing loop. The stops at drinking establishments give you time to pause, ask questions, and see places that are part of Denver’s current food and drink scene. Two included alcoholic drinks add real value, especially since you are also provided with a bike, helmet, water, and snacks.

There is a practical tradeoff. This is not a slow, stop-every-few-minutes sightseeing tour. You need to pedal about eight miles while staying with the group. If you want a very gentle outing with little physical effort, a walking tour may suit you better.

Starting downtown beside Denver’s best-known sights

The ride begins downtown, near the apartment complex where the bikes are kept. Parking is available in front of the complex, which is useful if you are arriving by car, though you should pay close attention to the meeting instructions before setting out.

The first part gives you a good introduction to central Denver. The route passes Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies, and continues toward the Dairy Block, Union Station, and Larimer Square.

Each stop adds a different piece to the city story. Coors Field puts you in one of downtown’s major sports areas. The Dairy Block shows the newer side of central Denver, with renovated urban space and places to eat and drink. Union Station is one of the city’s key landmarks and a useful point of orientation.

Larimer Square brings you into one of Denver’s best-known historic areas. It is a particularly helpful early stop because it lets you compare older downtown streets with the newer development around them.

You should not expect long visits inside each place. These are route-side sights, not separate guided tours of the buildings. Their value is in the way they help you get your bearings and understand how the center of Denver is arranged.

Following the Cherry Creek to the Platte

After downtown, the route follows the Cherry Creek River toward its confluence with the Platte River. This part changes the mood of the ride. You leave the hard concentration of downtown blocks and follow a route shaped by water and open space.

I like this section because it gives the tour breathing room. You are still close to central Denver, but the ride feels less like a list of city landmarks. The confluence also gives the guide a natural point for explaining Denver’s setting and development.

The tour promises historical context throughout the route, so this is one of the sections where the city’s past should connect with what you are seeing today. The important point for you is that the history is delivered while moving through the city, rather than in a classroom-style talk.

Exact path conditions and the amount of time spent at the river are not specified, so do not plan on a long riverside stop. Think of it as part of the ride’s larger arc: downtown sights first, river connections next, and RiNo’s art and bars later.

Entering RiNo through a dozen murals

The River North Art District is the tour’s visual centerpiece. Known as RiNo, it is filled with large-scale murals, and this ride includes stops at about a dozen of the best examples along the route.

That number matters. You are not relying on a single mural as a quick photo stop. The guide can point out a series of works and help you see how public art shapes the district. For anyone interested in Denver’s creative side, this is likely to be the most memorable part of the afternoon.

I also like that the murals are paired with the ride itself. You move through the district rather than viewing it from a bus window or visiting one fixed gallery. The changing walls and streets give RiNo a strong sense of place.

Still, mural tours depend on timing and route conditions. The information provided does not identify the artists, exact mural locations, or how long you spend at each one. If a particular artist or work matters to you, ask Jeremy about it during the tour.

The small group should help here. With six people or fewer, it should be easier to stop without the crowd management needed for a large bike group. It also gives you a better chance to ask about the district’s history and the artwork.

Local stops at Lincolns, Our Mutual Friends, and more

The drinking portion includes two or three local stops. Possible venues include Lincolns Speakeasy, Our Mutual Friends, Improper City, and Central Market.

The exact combination may vary, so you should treat this as a sample of the places the tour may use rather than a fixed bar list. That flexibility can be useful because it allows the guide to shape the ride around the day’s route and stop choices.

Lincolns Speakeasy suggests a bar-focused stop, while Our Mutual Friends and Improper City offer different looks at Denver’s local drinking scene. Central Market adds food to the mix. The supplied tour details also note that Central Market can be a place to stop for a beer and spend time around murals, an open area, cornhole, and a taco truck.

That Central Market stop sounds especially useful for people who want more than a quick drink. You may have a chance to relax, look around, and choose food on your own. Keep in mind that extra food and drinks are not included, so budget separately if you want more than the provided snacks and two alcoholic beverages.

The alcohol is part of the ticket, but pacing still matters. You are riding between stops, so this is not a bar crawl where the main goal is drinking. It is a bike tour with drinks worked into the route. Follow the guide’s timing and ride safely.

What the three-hour schedule feels like

Three hours is enough time to cover a lot of ground, but not enough for long visits at every sight. The schedule works best when you see it as a city orientation with a social finish, not as a series of full museum or landmark tours.

The route begins with downtown sights, moves toward the rivers, then reaches RiNo for murals and local stops. That order has a nice rhythm. The early portion gives you city context, the middle section opens up the ride, and the final portion brings you into the district where the art and bars are concentrated.

An afternoon start is one of the tour’s practical strengths. A morning departure is not required, so you can use the activity on the day you arrive in Denver. One rider specifically valued being able to take the tour in the afternoon after arriving, rather than having to make an early start.

You should check the available starting times when booking because the exact departure time is not listed. If you are scheduling dinner, another tour, or a train, leave some room around the three-hour duration.

How much value you get for $95

At $95 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see downtown Denver. The value comes from combining several services and stops into one outing.

Your price includes:

• A bike and helmet
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• Two alcoholic beverages
• A three-hour guided route
• A small group limited to six participants

If you planned to rent a bike separately, pay for a guided history and street-art tour, and purchase two drinks, the package becomes easier to justify. You are also paying for the route design. Connecting downtown, the rivers, and RiNo on your own would take more planning and navigation.

The small group is important to the value. A private tour would normally cost more, while a large group can feel less personal. Six or fewer participants offers a middle ground, especially if you want to ask questions or keep the ride moving without waiting for a long line of cyclists.

The price makes the most sense for you if you want a broad first look at Denver and enjoy mixing sightseeing with food and drink. It is less compelling if your priority is a serious brewery crawl, an in-depth art tour, or a slow historical walk focused on one neighborhood.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this ride if you like active sightseeing and want a fast, friendly introduction to Denver. It is a good fit for couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy small groups, and anyone who prefers seeing several neighborhoods instead of staying around one landmark.

It also suits repeat visitors who have already seen the obvious downtown sights. The route reaches murals, river areas, and local drinking spots that you might not find by following a standard list of attractions.

The afternoon schedule makes it practical on an arrival day, assuming the available time works with your plans. It can also serve as a useful first-day orientation because you pass through multiple parts of the city.

I would think twice if you dislike cycling, want a fully fixed stop list, or prefer to spend a long time inside each attraction. The route covers ground, and the bar choices can vary among the listed possibilities.

You should also be comfortable with the fact that extra food and drinks cost more. The included snacks and two alcoholic beverages cover part of the refreshment side, but Central Market and the other stops may tempt you to add to the bill.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour is in English and uses a live guide. Jeremy is the guide named in the tour information, and the supplied details describe him as friendly, fun, and well informed about the areas along the route.

The group is limited to six people. That is one of the strongest reasons to book this instead of a larger city bike tour, particularly if you want a chance to talk with the guide.

The meeting point is in front of the guide’s apartment complex, where the bikes are located. Since that is more specific than a major public landmark, check the meeting instructions carefully and allow time to find the complex and park.

The experience offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Denver schedule is still taking shape.

Should you book Bikes, Brews & Hidden Bars?

Book it if you want a three-hour introduction to Denver that combines history, murals, river routes, downtown landmarks, and local drinks. The route is broad, the group is small, and the included bike, gear, snacks, and two alcoholic beverages make the $95 price easier to defend.

Skip it if you want a slow walking tour, a dedicated brewery crawl, or a detailed visit inside every landmark. For most active visitors, though, this is a smart way to get your bearings, see RiNo beyond its headline streets, and learn where to return later on your own.

FAQ

How long is the Bikes, Brews & Hidden Bars tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

How far do you ride?

The complete route is about eight miles.

Where does the tour go?

It begins downtown and passes Coors Field, the Dairy Block, Union Station, and Larimer Square. It then follows the Cherry Creek River to its confluence with the Platte River before continuing into RiNo.

How many murals will I see?

The tour includes stops at about a dozen murals in the River North Art District.

Which bars or drinking spots might be included?

Possible stops include Lincolns Speakeasy, Our Mutual Friends, Improper City, and Central Market. The exact combination is not specified.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Two alcoholic beverages are included. Extra drinks and food are not included.

What else is provided?

The price includes a bike, helmet, bottled water, and snacks.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English with a live guide.