Denver's Best Coffee Shops

Need a Morning Buzz?

1. Hooked on Colfax

Less trendy than City, O' City, less packed than Stella's, Hooked on Colfax has a quiet appeal all its own. The jumble of couches, tables and decorations that you have to navigate to get to the counter appear, at first, to be all the room the café has to offer. But pretty soon you'll notice people entering and disappearing through mysterious doorways for an hour. These lucky souls (and now you, too) know about the secret back patio and the equally stealthy basement room.

In addition to its monthly art shows, used books in the basement and free wi-fi, which is really more than enough for any one coffee shop, Hooked on Colfax has Wednesday night basement movies. With all these little hidden features and specials, you can't help but fall in love with the place. Even better, the café is just a few blocks west of The Bluebird; if you're early for a show, try stopping by for a dose of caffeine to keep you alert until the late hours of the night.

2. Stella's Coffee House

Small, interconnected rooms and a large front patio keep Stella's from feeling like a large coffee shop while still allowing plenty of room for people to sip, read, study and chat. Live music on the weekends is a great experience for those who listen as well as allowing aspiring musicians a chance to demonstrate their talent. The coffee and espresso drinks are tasty although not particularly distinctive; Stella's is just as much about the environment as the actual drinks.

Sitting just over a mile from DU, Stella's tends to see a lot of traffic from university students, especially at the close of the semester. Around this time, you might have to scrounge for a comfortable corner or cope with a little sophomoric ribaldry, but you might get lucky and miss it altogether.

3. Fluid Coffee Bar

The trendy, modern vibe that Uptown's Fluid exudes proves to be nearly as addictive as its caffeine. Instead of pieced-together couch and coffee table sets, Fluid has a sleek environment that is as much about providing a comfortable work environment as any coffee shop you're likely to find. Free wi-fi, plenty of convenient wall sockets and low-rate computers make the shop a tempting place to spend the day. Combined with long hours and great coffee (and cute latte art), Fluid is definitely a hit.

4. Illegal Grounds

It's a coffee shop, but Illegal Grounds appeals just to adults. Maybe it's because once you know there's a working attorney's office upstairs, you worry about making too much noise. Or perhaps it's because despite serving as a coffee shop, Illegal Grounds still looks like you've just invaded someone's Uptown home. Whatever it is that keeps the coffee shop quiet, nobody's complaining.

There are few better places to get some real work done free of the distractions of home and the chaos of ordinary coffee shops. Spread out your papers on the huge law firm-style table or hook up to the free wi-fi while nestled in a couch corner. You can even take your drink out to the front patio and get some sunshine, but it's always harder to get work done once you remember how nice it is to be outdoors.

5. Common Grounds

You will rarely find Highland Square's Common Grounds anywhere close to empty, but there is always plenty of space even on busy days. The most crowded place invariably ends up being the counter where you place orders and pick up drinks, partly due to the number of customers, partly due to a less-than-optimal layout. Still, once you've gotten your drink (confirming that it is, in fact yours and not some other guy's) and grabbed a small table or squishy chair, you'll find that Common Grounds is as comfortable for settling in with a book as it is for sitting down to work with a laptop.

The coffee at Common Grounds is roasted locally, offering a rich, flavorful taste as well as benefiting the area economy. Complemented by a fresh pastry or sandwich, CG makes a wonderful hearty breakfast or filling lunch. After work, head by CG for a cold beer or a warming glass of wine, listen to live music on certain evenings and look at pieces created by local artists. In general, Common Grounds is busiest during the weekend, when Highland Square shoppers and neighborhood residents converge for coffee and a chat.