Pony Up — Restaurant in Denver

Pony Up, a lively bar and restaurant in the heart of Denver, is a must-visit for anyone who loves a great sandwich, strong drinks, and a vibrant atmosphere. Nestled in LoDo, this spot has made a name for itself with its creative take on French dips, but there’s so much more to appreciate beyond the sandwiches. Whether you’re stopping by for a casual bite, late-night drinks, or a weekend hangout, Pony Up delivers on all fronts.

One of the highlights of any meal here is the crispy potatoes. These perfectly fried, golden-brown bites are addictive, offering the ideal combination of crunch on the outside and fluffy softness on the inside. They’re served with a rich, flavorful aioli that elevates them to the next level. They make for an excellent side to any sandwich or just a great snack to share over drinks.

Speaking of sandwiches, the BLTA (bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado) is an absolute standout. This isn’t your average BLT—it’s crafted with thick-cut, crispy bacon, ripe avocado, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes, all layered on perfectly toasted bread. The balance of textures and flavors is spot-on, making it one of the best versions of this classic sandwich you’ll find in Denver. The bread holds up well without overpowering the ingredients, allowing the bacon and avocado to shine.

Of course, Pony Up is best known for its French dips, and it’s easy to see why. The menu boasts a variety of options, from traditional beef to creative spins featuring different proteins and flavors. The high-quality ingredients and attention to detail make each bite satisfying.

Beyond the food, Pony Up has an inviting and energetic atmosphere. The bar program is impressive, featuring well-crafted cocktails, a solid beer selection, and a great lineup of spirits. The bartenders are skilled and friendly, making strong yet balanced drinks that pair well with the menu. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic old fashioned or a creative house cocktail, you won’t be disappointed.

The space itself is cozy yet lively, with a mix of bar seating, tables, and booths. The dim lighting and stylish decor create a warm and inviting ambiance that feels perfect for a night out. It’s a great place to catch up with friends, enjoy a casual date, or even just grab a quick bite solo at the bar.

Pony Up also excels in providing a late-night dining experience that’s hard to find in Denver. With many restaurants closing early, it’s refreshing to have a spot that serves high-quality food well into the night.

The service is generally friendly and efficient, with staff who are knowledgeable about the menu and happy to make recommendations. While it can get busy, especially on weekends, the energy only adds to the experience.

If you’re in Denver and looking for a place that combines great food, a solid drink selection, and a welcoming atmosphere, Pony Up should be at the top of your list. The crispy potatoes and BLTA alone make it worth the visit, but once you’re there, you’ll likely find yourself tempted by the rest of the menu. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this spot is a gem that’s well...

The sandwiches here are phenomenal l but I absolutely have to caution against using their delivery system. I ordered delivery tonight and called a bit after the estimated delivery time to get the order status. I was told that my sandwich was ready for pickup but they unfortunately couldn’t tell me anything beyond that. After waiting another 20min I called a 2nd time to check in, and was informed that my sandwich was still sitting there. Since it was at that point 1.5 hours after my order was placed and 30min after the expected delivery time with no proactive order updates being sent (via text or email), I asked over the phone whether I should instead pick it up myself, since it wasn’t clear to them how their delivery works (as communicated to me by the employee I was speaking with). They asked if I would wait on-hold, and after a few minutes was connected with a manager who kindly offered to re-make the sandwich ahead of me driving over to pick it up. He also refunded me the delivery fee upon my arrival and apologized about the situation. I told him that I understand it was not at all his personal fault, but my personal recommendation would be for the restaurant to not offer delivery in the first place if there is no insight into or control over the actual delivery. He said that Toast partners with Doordash drivers on the delivery. It would make a lot more sense to then instead simply use Doordash, so that the customer has insight into the delivery status/tracking and would eliminate the need to call the restaurant for (unknown) delivery updates and then unfortunately just nix the delivery altogether to pick it up, effectively 2 hours after the order was originally placed. Another alternative could be to widen the delivery window posted on Toast, to adjust expectations for a potential 1-2 hour delivery window. Utilizing a different delivery service/app/method would likely be the better option though, since there is so much technology that offers ongoing delivery updates and tracking. Another alternative would be to have delivery done directly from the restaurant, since the restaurant would then at least have more insight and control over the process.

Overall, the refund of the delivery fee was appreciated, but I was willing to pay the extra $10 cost for delivery (that’s the point of offering delivery in the first place) and I didn’t like the idea of the original sandwich potentially becoming food waste.. I would have much rather saved the $10 delivery fee as well as the 2 hours of my time from the order time, having to track down my order via 2 phone calls and then ultimately having it turn into a pickup order anyway. Thanks very much in advance for considering my feedback based on my experience...

Well, I'd give this place ten stars if I could. The old 9th Door space has not been transformed that much, but seems much calmer and more contemporary than the original. The food menu is short and sweet and there are lots of interesting cocktails.

The focus of the menu is variations of the French Dip sandwich including a classic version, a Vietnamese variation, one with mushroom and Swiss, turkey and stuffing, a torta with roast pork, and The Frenchie that features a dip of French onion soup.

My friend and I shared The Frenchie. This featured thinly shaved roast beef on a crunchy ciabatta roll with a nice cup of French onion soup in which to dip it. I have not had good luck with French onion soup in Denver as hardly any restaurant seems to want to take the time and trouble to make it properly. Pony Up is definitely the exception. The soup with its caramelized onions was fantastic and made a perfect jus for the sandwich. This dish was memorable. The staff was nice enough to bring my friend a second cup of soup in which to dip his half of the sandwich without even being asked.

We started with the country karaage which is the Japanese version of fried chicken. This is made with thigh meat that has been marinated in garlic, ginger, and soy and was incredibly light, crispy, tender, juicy, and flavorful. It came with a spicy, mayonnaise-based dipping sauce. A wonderful bar snack. We could probably have gobbled up another ten orders, but we restrained ourselves.

The staff was friendly and helpful without being obtrusive. Sheamus Feeley, the owner, was working on his computer in the back, but took the time to come by to see how we were doing and to chat with us about the menu. His many years of experience in the industry really show with something so simple, yet so well-executed. I'm sure the atmosphere is much different at night, but we had a very pleasant and...