Unearth The Voyage
Colorado might be landlocked, but on Friday nights it sizzles like a coastal boardwalk. From snug taverns and patio-packed breweries to golf-course grills that turn into neighborhood hubs, these small spots pull giant crowds for crispy, golden fish. Whether you crave Wisconsin-style walleye or classic cod and chips with malt vinegar, the lines, laughter, and clinking pints say you’re in the right place. Use this guide to snag a seat – and don’t forget to confirm specials and hours before you roll in.
1. Shanty Supper Club – Denver (Uptown)
Shanty Supper Club channels the Upper Midwest with walleye, cozy booths, and a Friday ritual built for comfort. The room is snug, the lights are amber, and plates land loaded with crisp fish, slaw, and potato sides. Expect chatter, clinking glasses, and Old Fashioneds riding shotgun with steaming baskets. Crowds swell early for that promised Friday fish fry, and staff moves with practiced calm. It’s the kind of neighborhood-sized spot where tradition reigns and portions satisfy. If you crave Wisconsin vibes in Denver, welcome home.
2. Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern – Denver (LoDo)
Wally’s packs Lake Country nostalgia into a compact LoDo tavern, complete with cheese curds and a proper fish fry. The downtown address means pregame and postgame energy, especially on Fridays when the fryer hums nonstop. Expect communal tables, friendly razzing, and pitchers riding past plates of golden fillets. Sauce cups stack, lemon wedges fly, and the music keeps the momentum upbeat. It’s a late-night magnet with a Midwest soul. Order the fish fry, add curds, and let the neighborhood bar buzz complete the experience.
3. Milwaukee Street Tavern – Denver (Cherry Creek)
In Cherry Creek, Milwaukee Street Tavern delivers the definition of a neighborhood fish-and-chips gem. The room is intimate, the bar friendly, and the fryer turns out ale-battered cod that’s light, crisp, and generous. Fridays draw a lively crowd – regulars swapping stories, servers hustling plates, and sports humming on TV. Open late, it’s a reliable stop when the fish cravings hit after dark. Grab slaw, dunk in tartar, and pair with a cold pint. It’s unfussy and excellent – proof that small bars often fry the biggest flavor.
4. Swanky’s Vittles & Libations – Denver (LoDo)
Steps from Coors Field, Swanky’s brings rowdy, good-natured energy to Friday nights. The space is small, the vibes are big, and fish-and-chips plates fly out beside frosty slushies and beers. Baseball crowds blend with Wisconsin faithful for a scene that spikes around game time. Older writeups praise a Friday fish fry tradition, and the current bar buzz shows demand hasn’t cooled. Expect standing-room moments and cheers from the TVs. Order fish, add curds, and lean into the fun – this is classic LoDo, fry-forward and festive.
5. Cerberus Brewing Company – Colorado Springs
Cerberus turns Fridays into an all-day fish celebration, with haddock fried golden and stacked beside pub fries and tartar. The building is compact, but the patio expands the party – dogs, kids, and hopheads sharing long tables under string lights. Event listings confirm extended Friday fish hours, and sunny evenings bring a quick patio fill. Beer flights pair perfectly with the crispy, flaky fillets. Inside hums with brewery chatter; outside, the garden buzzes. Arrive early, claim a table, and let the fryer and taps set your weekend pace.
6. Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar – Colorado Springs
Downtown, Jax keeps a tight footprint and a lively soundtrack, serving beer-battered Pacific cod alongside a strong raw bar. Fridays attract pre-show and weekend starters who crowd the bar and chase crispy fish with martinis or pilsners. The batter is airy, the crust audibly crisp, and the sides clean and classic. Slaw and malt vinegar keep things sharp; oysters tempt as a bonus round. Expect a wait at prime hours. It’s a small seafood haven where quality and energy meet right on cue.
7. GB Fish & Chips (Colfax Shop) – Denver
On Colfax, GB Fish & Chips keeps things tight, bright, and unapologetically British. The compact counter setup pushes out crisp cod and haddock with textbook chips, lemon, and malt vinegar. Locals swear by it, and end-of-week traffic turns into a happy, hungry stream of regulars and first-timers. Prices are friendly, turnover is quick, and the fry stays shatter-crisp even after a vinegar splash. Grab a basket, snag a stool, and let the salt-and-malt perfume pull you through Friday night. Simple, spot-on, and beloved.
8. Q’s Pub & Grille – Littleton
Q’s feels like the neighborhood’s living room: compact, welcoming, and unexpectedly great at fish and chips. Fridays swell with regulars, live music, and the sizzle of baskets heading out two by two. Reviews rave about the fry – light, crunchy, and reliably satisfying. The bar stays open late, so the party lingers while plates keep landing. Grab a beer, maybe a pretzel with beer cheese, and settle in. Parking fills quickly, but turnover stays steady. For Littleton’s low-key fish-fry comfort, Q’s delivers big.
9. Westrail Tap & Grill – Lakewood
Westrail keeps things neighborly with a lean-in-to-the-specials approach, and Fridays put fried fish in the spotlight. The space is modest, the tap list deep, and the crowd loyal. Expect baskets of flaky fillets with slaw and fries, backed by pints from a rotating lineup. A steady hum fills the room as regulars swap hellos and servers hustle. Deals often sweeten the evening, and families blend with after-work crews. It’s a Lakewood go-to where the fry speaks for itself – crisp, hot, and generously portioned.
10. Fox Hollow Golf Course Event Center – Lakewood
At Fox Hollow’s event center, Friday turns communal – big groups, bigger platters, and an atmosphere closer to a reunion than a restaurant. The fish fry draws families, golf buddies, and locals who don’t even swing a club. Expect easy group reservations and plates moving rapidly from the kitchen. Depending on season, you’ll find all-you-can-eat or hearty platters with classic sides. The room buzzes with conversation and clinking glasses as sunset washes the greens. Come hungry, bring friends, and settle in for a convivial, crispy evening.
11. Village Inn – Lakewood
This Lakewood Village Inn behaves like a small-town diner with big Friday energy. All-you-can-eat fried fish brings regulars who know the servers by name and families stacking plates. The space is snug, so prime-time feels lively as baskets circulate and coffee pours keep pace. Crisp, straightforward fillets deliver comfort without pretense, backed by slaw, fries, and tartar. It’s the quintessential casual fry: affordable, reliable, and friendly. Show up early or expect a wait, then lean into the nostalgia and leave satisfied.
12. Black Bear Diner – Aurora
Black Bear Diner in Aurora flips a switch at 4 p.m. and the crowds arrive for all-you-can-eat fried fish. The fillets are crisp and generously portioned, the sides classic, and the value highly competitive. Families, groups, and ravenous regulars keep the turnover brisk, creating a cheerful Friday bustle. Servers move fast, refilling baskets and drinks with a smile. Come early if you’re wary of lines; the special’s popularity is no secret. Pace yourself – you might just make it to plate number three.
13. Buffalo Run Golf Course Bar & Grill – Commerce City
Buffalo Run’s clubhouse bar doubles as a Friday-night neighborhood hangout, thanks to all-you-can-eat fried fish and easygoing prices. Regulars tout cheap beers, friendly staff, and a rhythm that feels more pub than pro shop. The room is compact, so energy builds quickly as baskets circulate. Expect a mix of golfers and locals settling into high-tops for hours. Crispy fillets, simple sides, and smiles make the night. It’s unpretentious, affordable, and reliably packed—the kind of low-key spot that becomes a weekly ritual.
