Okay so this Pearl Street Pipe & Beverage place kept popping up online. Everyone talked about its crazy good craft beer selection and the cool pipe theme, but finding clear info? Nope. Like, how do you even get there? What’s the deal inside? I needed answers, so I decided to just go figure it out myself.
First Step: Actually Finding the Darn Place
Checked Google Maps, obviously. Typed in “Pearl Street Pipe & Beverage Denver”. Boom. Seemed straightforward, downtown near 15th and Platte Street. Parking downtown always sucks, right? I drove around those blocks like three times, got super annoyed. Finally saw a paid lot a couple of blocks away. Forked over the cash and walked. The actual entrance is kinda subtle – look for the big pipe structure thing above the door. Easy to walk past it if you’re not paying attention. Saw a couple of other people looking confused too, felt vindicated.
Walking In & First Impressions
Opened the door and wham! Two things hit me:
Sound: It was surprisingly loud inside. Good buzz, lots of people chatting, some tunes underneath. Definitely lively.
Smell: That distinct aroma? Yep, tobacco pipes. That’s their whole hook – a tobacco shop combined with a beer bar. Weird combo? Maybe. But honestly, the smell wasn’t overwhelming, just kinda… there. Felt different.
Place is pretty big inside. Split into two main sides:
- The Beer Hall Side: Long bar packed with taps, high tables, booths. All industrial pipes and wood, cool vibe.
- The Pipe Shop Side: Glass cases full of pipes, tobacco jars, cigars, all that stuff. Separate quieter space almost.
Found an open spot at the bar on the beer side. Score.
Getting a Drink – The Beer Situation
Holy taps, Batman! Looked up at the board – like 40 beers on draft? Maybe more? Insane selection. Local stuff, hard-to-find stuff, everything. Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement. Bartender noticed me staring blankly. Thank god, dude was chill. Asked what kinda beers I usually dig. Told him hoppy IPAs and darker stouts.
He hooked me up with two tasters first:
- Some super juicy hazy IPA I’d never heard of (it was awesome).
- A nitro stout that was smooth as butter.
Ended up grabbing a full pour of the hazy IPA. That nitro stout was tempting though…
Food-wise, it’s just snacks. Pretzels, peanuts, basic stuff. They do let you bring in food from outside though. Saw several folks with pizza boxes. Pretty smart policy.
Wandering Around & Figuring Out the Vibe
After sipping for a bit, took a walk. Checked out the pipe shop side properly. Place was full of serious pipe guys examining briar and smelling tobacco tins. Felt like a whole different world from the beer bar noise. Kinda fascinating.
Noticed the outdoor patio area too. Big, covered space with heaters. Would be prime real estate when the weather’s decent.
The crowd was super mixed: beer geeks chatting brewery politics, pipe smokers having quiet discussions, groups of friends just hanging out, couples on dates. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it just does.
Felt busy but not completely packed (though I hear weekends are nuts). Bartenders were moving fast but friendly.
Wrapping Up & Would I Go Back?
Finished my beer, people-watched for a bit longer, then headed out. Total mission accomplished. Figured out how to find it, how it works inside, and confirmed the beer selection is indeed ridiculous.
Stuff I learned for next time:
- Parking sucks. Plan for it. Use a lot nearby or rideshare.
- Don’t be shy asking for beer recs. Staff knows their stuff.
- Bring food! Or grab takeout nearby.
- Weekdays are (probably) calmer. My visit was manageable.
- Embrace the weird combo. Pipe smoke smell + craft beer = unique experience.
Absolutely heading back. Next time, trying that nitro stout. Maybe I’ll even sniff a tobacco tin… just out of curiosity.
