Since 1947, Don's has been doing it right. Hot chicks, cold brews, and whiskey cocktails that taste so damn good. While no photographic evidence exists, it is a virtual certainty that Jack Kerouac threw back drinks at Don's during one of his noteworthy Denver stretches – e.g. during the era when he wrote the epic "On The Road." Don's defies typical bar classification: You can call it a "classic dive" or an "eclectic mix of richies and slackers" and be equally correct – and yet totally wrong. Don's is a living thing, and a giving thing (think that great E.L.O. tune, circa 1978), and survives unchanged from its youth – save for the killer digital jukebox with a T-1 line that can play just about any song you've ever heard.

Drop on by, and Don's will forever be on your libation rotation – if not your default go-to joint. The bartenders and crew here (Jon, TJ, Mariah and Matt) all pour a wicked drink. They are also well versed at duct-taping furniture back together on the fly, tinkering with ancient plumbing, and finding some pool cue chalk when needed.

Good to know: The mini bump shuffleboard table is exactly that – BUMP shuffleboard. Hurl the pucks straight down the petite table instead of gently off the bumpers, and I'll be that guy in Booth #4 drinking a PBR longneck, wondering why your girlfriend will wait until Thursday to break up with you instead of just dumping you right now. For me.

Little-known fact: Don's is the unofficial Carolina Gamecocks hangout on Saturdays in the Fall. That probably means nothing to you unless you are a Gamecock Alum.

Open M-F 2pm-2am; Sat/Sun 11am-2am

Other stuff: Bumper shuffleboard, award-winning pool team, world-class jukebox, pool table, Silver Strike, Liar's Dice (Dice Rules), duct tape

Awards: More Denver's "Best Dive Bar" awards than you can shake a stick at

Neighborhoods served: Capitol Hill, Alamo Placita, Country Club, Washington Park, Cheesman Park, Congress Park

General Manager: Jon Turecki