Bars & Clubs, Bars & Pubs, Lounges, Traditional American Restaurants
Shelby's was originally a home built around the turn of the century, but since then has gone through many changes including a phase a mortuary. But today, the bar is usually jumping, especially during happy hour and filled with friendly locals.
The bartender believes that it is OK to give the death penalty to 8 year old children. That's putting 8 year old kids in the electric chair ! If you support this please feel free to frequent this establishment with your other "educated" friends. Maybe Adolf will greet you.
Posted 05/27/09 | Report Abuse
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I didn't eat there, but two of the locals offered to party with me at the same time for 60 "roses". I think one was the bartender's girlfriend. My wife came out of the bathroom and said "I can't pee here". The toilet was plugged, so we left. That explains the smell. Not impressed. Kind of a dump. I certainly won't eat there.
Posted 04/01/09 | Report Abuse
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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On a Saturday night, around 1:15 am, only 5 people in the place. My group of about 5 people came in. A song was on as we came in, so I was tapping on the bar while I waited for the bartender to make his way over... He proceeded to yell at me to stop "pounding" on the bar. Now it was late, and close to bar time so he wouldn't serve us a 2nd drink, even though he was still serving the 4 or 5 people who were in the bar before we were...The bartender also said, why should I serve you another round? So I can get another $1.75 tip!?"He claims he was the owner... which is amazing that this sh*thole is still open. But it does explain why there were only 5 people in the bar on a Saturday night!I wouldn't recommend this dump to anyone.
Posted 03/31/09 | Report Abuse
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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This is the best bar in Denver. With the economy the way it is, this is the only affordable bar in downtown. For the lady who wrote they are raciest I can tell you that is not true. I'm a black women and I have been going to Shelby's for year. I have never had a problem
Posted 03/12/09 | Report Abuse
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Before the smoking ban in Denver, this place was full of smoke and the smell of stale beer. Throw in some fried food and a few regulars at the bar. Since the smoking ban, this hasn't changed much. The place still smells like an ash tray. Not even desperation could make me go back.
Posted 08/16/08 | Report Abuse
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Good lunch spot
by ptmatthews
I work close to Shelby's and about once or twice a month some of us go there for a burger. Their swiss and mushroom burger is one of the best I've had., and I've never heard anyone complain about their food. The atmosphere is a little divey, so if you don't like divey, you might not like the place. Lunchtime waitresses are very friendly and very good at their job. I have not been there after work, so cannot speak to that, but recommend the place for lunch.
Pros: great burgers
Cons: a little divey inside
Posted 07/19/09
good cheap drinks
by shorty303
I LOVE this bar. My Friends and I go to Shelby's for happy hour all the time. They have an early happy hour and even a late night happy hour. You can't go wrong with 2 for 1 beers and double tall drinks. I usually have around 6 beers during happy hour for under $10 ( I live within walking distance). It's hard to find a family owned business these days. Most places downtown are owned by major corporations. BTW Ben is not the owner.
Pros: strong cheap drinks. Fun palce
Cons: parking
Posted 07/13/09
Great place to get no service
by gatzby
I would love to be able to tell you about the food or drink at Shelby's, but our group experience there didn't allow any. We walked in to find a fairly empty establishment early on a Friday evening and claimed a table. After several attempts at getting the bartenders attention, and failing, we returned to the table to wait, and wait, and wait for a waitress to notice. Little good that did.
Upon making use of their facilities before leaving the place, we discovered them to be unsanitary and, well, a little scary.
To top it all off, as we walked out the door, the bartender had the nerve to say, "Thanks for coming in! Hope to see you again soon!"
Unlikely.
Pros: Convenient location
Cons: Terrible service, dingy surroundings, unclean
Posted 07/09/09
Great Place for Limited Bartender
by samroth
Look at all the other reviews. It evidently is the night bartender that makes the experience so "unique." He either owns the place, is the son of the owner, or the owner has no clue as to marketing. Stay out of here!!!
Pros: At least he has to take some time off
Cons: Look at all the other reviews
Posted 05/27/09
Not safe for girls
by Jailbate
Went here with my girlfriends a while back. Ran across these reviews just now and have to write to agree. This place is rough, and not a place for women. The bartender is a putz.
Pros: Greasy food/greasy guys
Cons: Bartender is a putz
Posted 04/01/09
An embarrassment to Denver
by PolishPrince
This bar is an embarrassment to Denver. It is unfortunate that Shelby's is in a great location. Numerous people equate the bar keep's rudeness to all people who live in the mile high city.
Cons: Rude bar keep
Posted 03/31/09
bad bartender ben
by stellerbabe
I don't know how this place stays in business. I was in the other night and Ben the bartender insulted me and my friends. We'll take our business elsewhere in the future.
Pros: none
Cons: bartender is a rude dude
Posted 03/31/09
Feels Like We're Family
by JTimebercake
My finace and I frequently go to Shelby's, and always have a good time. This is the type of bar that attracts EVERYONE. Business folks - getting off of work, bike messengers - finishing their route, locals - grabbing a beer, hotel patrons - looking for a comfy place to get a bite... you name it, they'll be there. The family that owns the place always welcomes us and are friendly, but not overbearing.
For us, it's the perfect place to kick back, have some good food, people watch and have a good time. It's far from the club scene, and that's why we love it.
Pros: Staff, Food, Relaxed
Cons: Bathrooms are small, and awkward
Posted 03/16/09
ABSOLUTLY NOT A BAD OR PREJUDICE BAR- ONLY REAL FUN TIMES
by barfly21
This place is a great diamond in the ruff. Good home cooked food, cheap prices for downtown and service with some sass. That good old fashioned ribbing that gives dives some of their charm. At this joint you won't get away with being a zero, being cheap or to drunk without hearing about it. This way you know when you come here it's just respectful locals who don't want to deal with any of the usual downtown meathead scene! So sorry if you received bad service, sounds like you got caught in an oversight, these people that work at this spot are real and real nice. Everyone I know agrees.
Pros: GREAT FOOD, CHEAP DRINKS
Cons: NEEDS COSMETIC UPDATES INSIDE
Posted 11/18/08
insulting bartender
by momindenver3
Was in about a week ago and the bartender was insulting another customer and basically calling her a loose woman in front of her date. I was embarrassed for her and wondered what the deal was.
Pros: lots of seats
Cons: wondering if the bartender was going to insult us or was that extra?
Posted 11/10/08
TAKE YOUR LIFE INTO YOUR OWN HANDS
by Vistors
Well I'm glad other people said they have good burgers here. They must have gotten served because they were white. This bar should say on the outside "WE HATE THE BRONCOS AND DON'T COME IN UNLESS YOUR WHITE!". Ben the bartender who said he owns the place just looks for people to start a fight with. I don't know how this place stays open. A group of us went in for a beer and Ben first decided to insult us with racial comments and then said he would buy our drinks. I guess thats the price so he could continue to abuse us. We left when he tried to start a fight with us. Wouldn't recommend this place to anyone except Ben's friends. I hope they go everywhere with him. He needs the protection with a mouth like that.
Pros: none
Cons: EVERTHING!
Posted 11/04/08
would not serve me because the color of my skin
by afrochick20s
I'm a black woman and I went to meet co-worker there for a quick drink. Inside the bartender said she wouldn't serve me because I was sitting outside and a waitress was out there. The waitress outside would walk pass me like she couldn't see me on the very small patio and pretend like I didn't want a drink. My friend gave me her little stone for her free extra beer I guess, so when the waitress comes back I asked her for a drink and she tells me I have to go inside for a drink if I use the little stone. So I go back inside and the woman at the bar tells me I can't get a drink with the stone because she didn't give it to me and she will only give it to the person she gave it to??? So I'm like okay...can I get a beer and she tells me I have to get if from the waitress...I gave up and went back outside without a drink...the waitress sees me and knows i want a drink but refuses to serve me. Now I just got off work and just wanted one beer and couldn't get decent service...I left and kept my money...wouldn't suggest this place to anyone.
Pros: I wouldn't know..I couldn't get any service...
Cons: the fact that they gave me the run around since I was the only black woman in the bar.
Posted 09/17/08
Best Burger
by ScooterPants
If you are looking for a good burger and cheap beer! It is a family owned business that does a great job keeping it mom and pop! Whoever said Ben should be fired is CRAZY! First off, he is the owners son, second off you must have deserved to get thrown out of there. Open up your horizons and support a locally owned business! TASTY BURGERS AND BEER!
Pros: easy parking, great people
Cons: little dark
Posted 08/20/08
best bar in denver
by bars101
THIS IS THE BEST BAR IN DENVER. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE WITH GREAT FOOD AND CHEAP DRINKS THIS IS THE BAR FOR YOU. I GO HERE 2-5 NIGHTS A WEEK. NANETTE IS THE BARTENDER ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS. SHE IS BY FAR THE BEST BARTENDER IN DENVER. SHE IS ALSO AROUND TO HELP OUT DURING LUNCH.
Pros: FOOD
Cons: PARKING
Posted 06/13/08
Bad experience
by cristiej94132
I went to this place on Saturday and had a couple of beers. The locals were not friendly to me. One thought that I was interested in her boyfriend and that was not true.
I began to feel really uncomfortable and left after about an hour with my friends. We decided to try the club scene instread.
All of the guys there have girlfriends. Not a good place for single girls.
Posted 01/24/08
FUN FUN FUN
by kevco
Stop by for a great burger and beer.
It is a fun place to hang out that is not commericialized like other Denver spots.
Best time to go is on Saturday nights.
Have a pocket full of money for the jukebox. The tunes are there.
The locals that frequent are fun.
Many are couples that are most interesting to watch and listen to!
Fun place to be much better than other Denver hangouts
Posted 01/24/08
Great time for late night
by topailchick
Great place to go hang out and have a few drinks. Ben is not dangerous at all! He is too funny. The locals make you feel at home! Ben will make you laugh the entire time... The place is a dive bar and that is what makes it stick out in the Denver area. That is what makes it great!!! Carolina girls did enjoy visiting your place! Thanks Russ for making sure I got there and back safely!!!
Pros: Its all good!
Posted 10/10/07
Place looks like hell... but the beer is cheap and the burgers are good.
by jlemmon78
We go there on Friday's for lunch. The service is fast and the burgers kick-ass. Try the Denver Zoo burger and the Tijuana - horrible names for burgers, but still delicious. If you are expecting a lively singles scene or the cleanest bar in Denver, this is not a good choice. However, if all you're looking for is a price-competitive place to drink with friends on the edge of downtown, Shelby's is a winner. And contrary to the other reviews, we have never been assaulted by the bartender.
Pros: Burgers, happy hour, walking distance from offices
Cons: Furniture needs replaced, no Original Coors on draft
Posted 09/13/07
Character Witness
by charleslpayne
I am serious when I ask if you need any sort of corroboration. I have also had a terrible experience with this bar and with Ben the bartender. please contact me if you need any help having him fired.
Posted 07/01/07
This place is dangerous! I went there and got beat up by Ben the bartender. He is a menace and should be in jail. THe Denver police are investigating this place. DO NOT GO THERE!!!
by evmo666
This place is dangerous and Ben the bartender will have you injured if he does not like you. I went there and had some drinks. Ben did not like me and had some buddy of his throw me out on my face on the sidewalk. I sustained several injuries as a result. The Denver police are investigating this place.
Pros: Nothing
Cons: Ben the bartender is dangerous and will have you beat up by his buddies. I sustained injuries. The Denver police are investigating Ben the bartender.
Posted 04/27/07
Downtown's Worst Bar
by benkiene
I have no idea how this place manages to stay open downtown. The service is awful. The bartenders take orders, but don't fill them, won't close your tab when you ask, and are just down right rude. They only seem interested in serving "regulars." I'm a Denver native and wouldn't be the least bit sad if this place were demolished and replaced with just about anything. Hopefully, real estate values will demand it.
Pros: Absolutely nothing
Cons: Rude bartenders, atmosphere
Posted 08/13/06
Good dive, High prices
by rca_girl
Me & the group don't get to go out very often, but when we do it right. We started out on the 16th st mall and worked our way down to Shelby's. The drinkls at the Paramount Cafe were cheaper than Shelby's and they had a live band, pool tables, etc. The bartender was a little overly intoxicated. Maybe that is why our drinks were so expensive. I will only go back during happy hour.
Posted 08/13/06
Fun!
by missyme73
It's a dive, but it's fun! A bit smokey, but that will change July 1st anyway... The crowd is very diverse and laid back.
Pros: people
Cons: parking
Posted 06/14/06
