Royal Hilltop

Bar, Eatery

18581 E Hampden Ave
Ste 134
Aurora, Colorado, 80013-3510
United States

(303) 690-7738 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.97
Reviews:
2
Ratings:
5
pDev:
13.85%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by Domingo:
Photo of Domingo
Reviewed by Domingo from Colorado

3.95/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
The Royal Hilltop was a pretty standard British Isles pub for years but recently converted over to a craft beer taproom/restaurant in February of 2011. They share ownership with the Cheeky Monk and as a result have some similar menu items, which isn't a bad thing at all.
When you walk in, there's a wood bar in front of you, about a dozen table scattered throughout, and 5 booths against the wall. Behind the bar are roughly 15 taps (and a big chalkboard listing each one and the price) as well as a smaller list of cans and bottles. There's a second chalkboard on the wall above the booths as well. Nice touch. Plus, there's a patio for the warmer season.
Beer selection is solid. DFH 90 Minute, RR Damnation, Wynkoop Railyard, Boulevard Tank 7, Ska Buster Nut, GD Titan, and more. All but one of the 15 taps were craft selections. Plus, we showed up during happy hour where all of the taps were only $3. That's a steal for some of those beers!
Cans were also solid and included beers from OB and Ska, including Ten Fidy. No issues at all for a place this size...I was more than happy.
Food was also good. They had a mix of Cheeky Monk faves like fried pickle spears, the Monte Cristo, and the Monk & Cheese as well as pub faves like bangers and mash, burgers, and shepherd's pie. No issues there either.
Good service - the waitress told us about the thematic change, pointed out the tap lists, specials, etc. She also came back a few minutes prior to happy hour being over to make sure we could get another round. Food and appetizers were prompt, too.
I live nearby (and the pub is only about 2 miles from Dry Dock) so I know I'll be coming back. Even if you don't, the prices and selection are worth the trip, especially if someone is coming in to town for Dry Dock. Speaking of which, they're also talking about having local firkins from places like DD and the Wynkoop each Thursday. I didn't see anything yet, but I love the idea.
I think they did a good job with the rebranding and I can't wait to see what they do with the place in the coming years.

EDIT: While the weekly firkins idea didn't pan out, this place gets in some crazy beers. Items like 120 Minute IPA, Birra Vina, Pliny the Elder, etc. show up regularly and don't run out nearly as quickly as the downtown locations. For a suburban beer bar, the Royal Hilltop is pretty amazing.
Feb 08, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.36 by DenverHopHead from Colorado

Jun 26, 2015
 
 
Photo of mulder1010
Reviewed by mulder1010 from Australia

3.8/5  rDev -4.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
A-- Obviously a rebadged pub. A little small I thought. A few inside booths and tables and a bar that seats about 20. Good outdoor patio though. Very craft beer oriented feel.

Q-- The quality of the products were in top notch shape. Clean resataurnat/ bar

S-- Decent service, nothing too interesting from the bar. Second bartender was far better about asking for second drinks.

S-- Solid. Very solid. Damnation? Really? WCIPA, DFH 90, Boulevard all on tap. nice. Good can selection as well. One tap to macro. Always a plus.

F-- Did not eat but thought menu was not worth having.

V-- Great prices and selection for that part of Aurora. if you live out there or traveling in that neck of the world always a good place to stop and have a beer.
Jun 27, 2011
Royal Hilltop in Aurora, CO
Place rating: 3.97 out of 5 with 5 ratings