Aquarium Restaurant
| Address: | 700 Water St, Denver, CO 80211, USA |
| Phone: | +1 303-561-4549 |
| Site: | aquariumrestaurants.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9:30PM 11AM–9:30PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 18
RE
Rebecca G
The tanks and viewing areas are mostly well designed. The variety of animals is great. Thats where the positive points end. If you want the short version of this review: do not go here. If you want a good animal experience for you and your kids, go to the Denver Zoo, or the Wild Animal Sanctuary. Either will be cheaper and better. After paying to get in, you have to wait in another line while pictures are taken against a green screen so that they can sell you photos of your kid at the end of the trip. If you dont want to do photos, you still have to wait in the line. This applies even if you are two grown women who have zero interest in that sort of tourist trap nonsense. Obviously, they dont let you skip even as adults because then groups with kids would try to skip and they would lose an opportunity to nickel and dime you for a photo. When I asked the photo person if there was a manager to whom we could talk, we were blown off. This is before we even saw a single animal. It left a foul taste in my mouth and soured my excitement about what Id heard was a very cool place. Upon entering the first room, we were already seeing mini-gift-shop stands trying to hock toys and such at us. The first big tank we came to was incredible - or would have been if not for the overly loud and artificial nature and animal sounds being blasted in from every direction. I assume its there to cover up the noise of the kids, but I dont know. The design of the viewing areas was very good. Lots of opportunities for panoramic views and getting your head close to whatever creatures decided to swim your way. Half way through though, an entire room is devoted to a mermaid show. Again, piles of kids, overly loud sounds and speech being piped in. Despite stopping and admiring at every tank, reading most of the signs, and taking moments for pictures, the entire experience was about 45 minutes; 15 of which was standing in the pay line (thats fine, lots of people, whatever) and the forced photo line (a completely artificial and unnecessary bottleneck). Just as we were starting to get hyped up over the beauty and majesty of the animals, we came out to a gift shop/photo sales stand/loud children gathering area. We both thought "was that it?". The place was far too linear, which created a feeling of shortness and overcrowdedness. The artificial noises were far too loud and impeded on the enjoyment of the experience. The constant feeling that we were in a long gift shop line rather than an animal conservation experience ruined the majesty of the tanks. We asked to see a manager. A very helpful employee by the name of Jevon got us in touch with the GM for the location, Chad. Chad behaved as if he didnt want anything to do with us. Despite laying out our concerns, he boiled them down to "you werent happy with the line?". When we asked for a refund, he said "well youre welcome to leave"... as if to really make sure we knew he wasnt holding us hostage? The last thing I told him was "Ill be honest with you: I dont think were your target audience. This place is designed to rip money from the hands of parents of young kids. Thats your business model, and thats fine. But thats not what your website makes it out to be, and we were very disappointed." He eventually offered us a 50% refund. Honestly, thats fair. It was about a $10 experience. But even at $10, I wouldnt return. Seriously. Go to the zoo. Go to the Wild Animal Sanctuary. You wont feel pressured to spend additional money, and itll be cheaper to not only go the first time, but to return again and again to continue your and your kids loves of animals.
BO
Bonnie Moretti
I take my family there once a year to eat at the restaurant and then go through the aquarium. I spend around 500 dollars between the restaurant, gift shop and aquarium. The last two trips there have been very disappointing. My family has asked that we find a new yearly place to meet. We all got food poisoning the last time we went. The time before that two entrees were forgotten and brought out much later. Sorry to say we are planning a get together some place else next time.
JA
Jason Pagliaro
Service and atmosphere are good but it basically stops there. The food is overpriced and mediocre at best. The kitchen has been extremely slow every time weve been there. Well be back to the aquarium but not the restaurant.
MA
Matt Bernier
We have a subscription, so my daughters can go pretty much whenever they want. They love the huge tanks, the big fish, and of course they love taking their picture with the mermaids.
JE
Jerry Hollingsworth
Not worth it! The food was mediocre, a huge disappointment and expensive!! The Red Lobster serves better food at a 3rd of the price of this place.
CH
Charles Plvacek
I had a awesome time here it was pretty crowded but fun they had this back ground music of animal and fish sounds that could go.
JE
Jesslyn Farros
Awesome view of the fish tanks!! The food was delicious and the chef came to our table to answer questions, which was amazing!!
KA
Kade Porter
Awesome atmosphere. Food was great for being seafood and 1000 miles from any ocean. Mermaid show was sweet.
CA
Candy Lawrence
Real live mermaids swimming in the tanks, blowing kisses to the kids, great decor, interesting food
CH
Chuck Asbury
Great food served next to a remarkable collection of large sea creatures in a huge aquarium.
TI
Timothy Bailey
Overpriced underwhelming food. Seriously, its just an attraction restaurant and isnt good.
ZA
Zach Stanley
We had good service, drinks, and food. Great atmosphere and prices were as expected.
AU
autumn garvin
Great food and service. Great scenery with the fish tanks. Really enjoy this place
NI
Niniane Wang
Great food and amazing fish view!! The only fly in the ointment was mermaids.
JO
Jonathon Shirk
Delicious food, and a very wide variety of fish to be amazed by
JA
Jason Rini
Valentines meal was fraudulent and gross. Never going back.
GE
Gema Acosta
Very good ambiance and good service and food
RA
Raynell Bright
Very entertaining I will come again!!!!
