Try This: Denver Café & Kava on East Colfax
An alcohol-free kava bar on East Colfax that's open until 2am every night, built for low-key dates and sober-curious nights out.
If you want a night out that doesn't involve a bar tab and a rough morning, there's a kava bar on East Colfax worth a look this week.
Denver Café & Kava sits at 5501 E Colfax Ave and serves kava and kratom drinks instead of alcohol. It's open from 7am to 2am every day, which is a pretty generous window for a place with no liquor license involved.
It's rated 5 stars on Google from 58 reviews (as of 2026-08-23). That's a perfect score from a modest pile of reviews, so take it as a good sign, not gospel.
Who it's for
Our listing tags it sober-curious, alcohol-free, low-key and date-night. So: people taking a break from drinking, people who quit entirely, and anyone who wants to hang out somewhere that isn't loud.
It also fits first dates where you'd rather talk than shout over a DJ. Showing up alone with a book is apparently normal here too.
What to try first
Kava is the headline, so start there. If you've never had it, order one drink, sit down and give it some time before deciding whether you want another. Ask the person behind the counter what they'd suggest for a first-timer.
Kratom is also on offer, but it's a different thing from kava. If you're new to both, try one at a time so you know what you're actually reacting to. And if you take medication or have health concerns, check with your doctor first.
What to expect
The directory copy describes it as chill and a little bohemian, with long conversations and nobody rushing you out. It's a social spot, so plan to linger rather than grab and go.
Google lists hours as 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM, Monday through Sunday. Hours can change, so check before you head over late. Google puts it at a $$ price level; the listing doesn't give specific prices.
The late close makes it a solid option after a show or dinner when you're not ready to go home but don't want another drink.
The neighborhood
It's on East Colfax in the 80220 zip, a long stretch with plenty going on. If you're doing a daytime visit or want caffeine first, Lilac Coffee is 0.46 miles away (straight line) and holds 4.9 stars on Google from 189 reviews as of 2026-09-08.
A morning coffee there and a kava at Denver Café & Kava in the evening makes an easy alcohol-free day on Colfax. For more ideas, browse the events calendar or our guides.
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