The Hidden Idol

FYI, Hidden Idol moved to 2240 North Clay Street in Denver on June 21, 2019.

I have been wanting to try this place for months and finally got the chance. I went early on a Wednesday night. I was the only one for most of the time in the bar. My drink of choice is a painkiller. I asked the bartender to make one and he seemed very confident. What I received couldn’t be further from a painkiller. They didn’t even have a Demerara rum. I mentioned my displeasure with the bartender who made things right with a new drink but it was pretty bad too. Frustrating as tiki drinks aren’t cheap. Another thing that was misleading was they advertise house made coconut cream but really is coco Lopez, not complaining about coco Lopez but don’t say it’s homemade! The decor is nice but they are transitioning to a new location so I am thinking that is why my visit was “off”.

Walking through a sports bar to get to a tiki bar I wasn’t expecting much. However I was pleasantly surprised to walk into a bit of tropical paradise while it snowed outside. We went on a Sunday night and were greeted by Alistair who was very friendly and helpful. Ordered a Nui Nui, Dr Funk, and their version of the Zombie. The Nui Nui and Dr Funk tasted like their traditional selves but less bite. Almost like a smooth light version. The Zombie was tasty but definitely the strongest of the three. Decor was great, my only suggestion would be to replace the four brass hanging lights with tiki lamps and hang more nets and stuff from the ceiling. The music while we were there was provided by a couple of DJs who played nothing but reggae. It felt like they just didn’t know what they should play (exotica, surf, hawaiian), so played reggae because its “tropicalish”. The crowd consisted of a handful of normal dudes in hoodies, but as it was snowing outside I didn’t expect to see many aloha shirts. All in all a decent experience in a tiki starved town.

When I first walked into Hidden Idol I made the mistake of underestimating it. At first glance it seems like it might be the kind of place that is just trying to cash in on the tiki trend with a list of drinks that probably all taste too much like orange juice. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to have been proven completely wrong and I’m thoroughly sorry for my initial assumptions. The bar staff at Hidden Idol absolutely know their way around complex cocktails, both classic and modern. I started with a Jet Pilot that was deceptively smooth for such a heavily rummed concoction (careful with that one), while my wife tried their excellent house Mai Tai. I moved on to their house Grog next, which was delicious, and we finished with they Army/Navy which was phenomenal. The bartenders, Alister and another gentleman whose name slipped away because rum, were excellent hosts and expert craftsmen, two things essential for a great tiki bartender. The bar itself is a dimly lit ode to 60’s tiki kitch complete will skull and idol decor and surf and exotica sounds. I would absolutely recommend a visit to Hidden Idol if you want a place that makes a fantastic cocktail and knows how to have a good time.

Hours listed are wrong. We are open Wednesday through Sunday at 7pm with Friday and Sarurday going until 2am, Wednesday Thursday and Sunday we close at Midnightm Sorry for any confusion.

A welcome addition to the tiki “desert” that is Denver. Decor was tastefully done and not over done. Nothing garish and or Party America about it. Drinks were well made. We will be returning on a regular basis. The owner was very friendly.

I applaud the effort...but more effort please. This place could use more decor. In Denver it’s not that hard to find! I took home lots for my tiki bar! I am not trying to be a buzzkill...but start here for drinks and go to Adrift....you’re welcome