Yacht Club
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Yacht Club is one of our favorite local watering holes, but it’s also garnered a lot of national attention since opening in late 2021.
This week alone, owners Mary Allison Wright and McLain Hedges have a lot to celebrate. The two were just named James Beard Award finalists in the Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service for their Cole neighborhood watering hole. On top of that, Yacht Club has once again been ranked among the top bars in North America.
The 2026 edition of the list, which is voted on by a group of “more than 300 independent cocktail experts, renowned bartenders, educators and drinks writers from across the region,” according to the announcement, has not released its full rankings yet. But on March 31, North America’s 50 Best Bars revealed the bars on the list landing at numbers 51-100, and Yacht Club came in at number 67.
“Playfully rejecting the exclusivity of its namesake inspiration, this staple of Denver’s bar scene brilliantly bridges the gap between a welcoming dive and a world-class cocktail destination,” reads the description. “With a menu spanning elevated highballs and natural wines to a now-legendary hot dog combo, Yacht Club offers a masterclass in unpretentious, high-low hospitality.”
Yacht Club first appeared on the list in 2023, when it landed at number 42. It was absent from the rankings the following year but in 2025, it made a comeback at number 41. While this year’s ranking is its lowest yet, Wright and Hedges are still riding a hell of a high — and not just at Yacht Club.
Molly Martin
Last year, they doubled down in Denver with the addition of Rougarou, which we just named Best New Bar in the 2026 Best of Denver. Like Yacht Club, this Five Points spot toes the line between divey vibes and upscale drinks, with the addition of damn good Southern-inspired fare from Wright’s brother, executive chef JohnDavid Wright.
In honor of all this well-deserved love for Wright and Hedge’s contributions to the scene, we suggest you plan a double-header soon, starting at Yacht Club for a buttermilk-washed cocktail and a hot dog, followed by a late-night venture to Rougarou for a muffuletta martini, chicken on a stick and a blue cheese tart.
That’s a recipe for an award-winning night out in the Mile High!
Yacht Club is located at 3701 Williams Street and is open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday through Monday. For more information, visit yachtclubbar.com.
