Photos: The Drunkest Cities in America, Including Denver

We recently posted about the ten Colorado counties with the drunkest drunk drivers -- and yes, Denver made the list. But how does the alcohol consumption in the Mile High City compare to other cities around the country. That was the question recently explored by WCBS5 in Boston. Using numbers...

By Michael Roberts

October 28, 2014

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We recently posted about the ten Colorado counties with the drunkest drunk drivers -- and yes, Denver made the list. But how does the alcohol consumption in the Mile High City compare to other cities around the country. That was the question recently explored by WCBS5 in Boston. Using numbers crunched by The Daily Beast, the station ranked plenty of major metropolises, including this one. Where did Denver wind up? Count down the selections below -- and to check out the original post, click here.

Number 1: Boston, Massachusetts Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.6
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 20.1%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 7.4%

Number 2: Norfolk, Virginia Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.1
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 19.9%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 5.2%

Number 3: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.2
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 18.9%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 6.7%

Continue to keep counting down the drunkest cities in America. Number 4: Charleston, South Carolina Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.3
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 17.3%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 8.7%

Number 5: Austin, Texas Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 14.6
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 18.4%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 5%

Number 6: Hartford-New Haven, Connecticut Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.2
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 16.5%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 3.6%

Continue to keep counting down the drunkest cities in America. Number 7: New Orleans, Louisiana Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.1
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 16.8%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 5.4%

Number 8: Chicago, Illinois Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.0
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 17.2%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 6.1%

Number 9: Washington, D.C. Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 15.6
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 14.5%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 5%

Continue to keep counting down the drunkest cities in America. Number 10: Providence, Rhode Island Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 14.1
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 17.6%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 5.7%

Number 11: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 13.8
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 18.1%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 4.1%

Number 12: Omaha, Nebraska Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 13.6
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 19.5%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 5.9%

Continue to keep counting down the drunkest cities in America. Number 13: Baltimore, Maryland Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 14.7
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 16.3%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 4.8%

Number 14: Springfield, Massachusetts Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 13.6
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 19.5%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 9.2%

Number 15: Denver, Colorado Average alcoholic drinks consumed by adults per month: 14.4
Percentage of population classified as binge drinkers: 16.8%

Percentage of population classified as heavy drinkers: 5.1%

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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