Honey Elixir Bar — Restaurant in Denver

I've never been to a "Mocktail Bar" before, and this place was recommended to me almost a year ago. Finally, an opportunity to go (because they are closed on my day off - Monday). Honey Elixer exceeded my expectations. And they have a liquor license, so those who can't fathom paying money for nonalcoholic drinks can get quality cocktails as well. The decor was thoughtful and cozy, but still modern. The moody maximalism - in both the architecture and art - provides great talking points and piques curiosity (i.e. The Goat). Every guest seemed to be in a good mood, and the social aspect had a San Fran neighborhood coffeeshop vibe, but at night. The service was impeccable, even for arriving within an hour of last call (which was politely but straightforwardly communicated). Now, onto the drinks. My fiance enjoyed one of their full-strength specialties - a chilled shot of tequila served neat w/ a Tajin-dipped orange... and then got another. I wish I had the room and the time to sample the entire menu, but I started w/ a low-proof kombucha type cocktail. (I don't even like Kombucha). Though it did have a funky, unfiltered type aftertaste, all the other flavors really shined through for an enjoyable, pretty complex drink. My last drink was a peach italian soda w/ coconut milk. It came in a cool Tiki glass, was beautifully layered (note: stir before sipping), and settled my dessert craving. I would 100% recommend this bar; I'm already imagining spending a hot summer day perusing the local shops of RiNo and hitting this place for a refreshing...

This is a mixed review!

The wait staff, environment and drinks are absolutely lovely. It’s so nice having a tonic bar here in Denver. We have come here about a dozen times and have noticed a trend. Every time we have come here and the owner Jo has been absent, we have had the best time!

When the owner is in, however, the experience downgrades. There have been reviews saying how rude she is, and I have to second this. It’s almost like Honey is her personal soup kitchen where it’s obvious which clients are her friends, as they get the best seating, can be as loud as they want, and receive the kindest service from her.

Others outside her circle, like myself, are treated quite rudely. It’s not a blatant Midwestern rudeness, but a holier than thou “enlightened” kind of dismissiveness.

I want to be very clear how excellent the rest of the staff is, how well they take care of us, and how excellent those experiences are.

It’s gotten to the point where we will keep walking if we see the owner, and come back another day. We hope the owner can take this to heart, and that Honey can be allowed to shine as intended by those that...

Firstly, the drinks are top notch! So no complaints from me there. But the service is abysmal. I went to this place a few years ago and the staff were lovely and my friends and I had such a lovely time! I went this evening and was waiting for my friends to join and no one came to take my order. I had to come to the bar and the staff were just talking… there were only 4/5 other people in the bar at the time. Then the server proceeded to start a tab for me and apologized, saying it was because a DJ was there. I didn’t understand that but let it go, until my friends came and the server never asked them for their cards. I’m a dark skinned Black persona and my friends were white and multiracial. The server was also training someone so that could have been part of the problem but I doubt it. It just feels like this place is just a place to look “cool.” Again, the drinks are amazing but it’s horrible service and I think if I was in a different body in different clothes I would have been treated...