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From rooftops to garden oases, these are our favorite outdoor patios
Adam Larkey/Eater Denver

14 Places to Dine and Drink Outdoors Around Denver

Patio season has arrived

by Gigi Sukin
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From rooftops to garden oases, these are our favorite outdoor patios
| Adam Larkey/Eater Denver
by Gigi Sukin

Spring officially kicks off March 20, and while snow storms are not out of the question, most Denverites are eager to embrace the days of warmth and sunshine as soon and as often as possible. The Mile High City and its surroundings encompass a swath of backyards, patios, rooftops, sidewalk tables, and more to enjoy a bite or beverage with a bit of nature.

The following 14 restaurant patios offer Rocky Mountain views, quiet, romantic areas tucked out of sight, and rows of social picnic tables. From the newest collection of communal seats in front of Zeppelin Station to beer gardens in Aurora and the Lower Highlands, welcome to patio season.

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Blackbelly Market

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This Boulder-based restaurant and butcher, helmed by chef Hosea Rosenberg, has two patios. Both are worthy of sipping on a glass of wine or eating some organic, farmhouse fare.

1606 Conestoga St #3, Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 247-1000
(303) 247-1000
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Zeppelin Station

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Denver’s newest global food hall sits along the 38th and Blake light rail stop, beckoning mass transit riders and pedestrians to grab a bite to-go or stick around and enjoy the sights, best viewed from a slab of concrete at the entryway with benches. Garage doors open to produce a true indoor-outdoor experience.

Denver, CO 80216
(720) 460-1978
(720) 460-1978
Adam Larkey

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Brazen Neighborhood Eatery

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This Berkeley haunt features a quiet outdoor space and the warmth of a fire pit, around which diners can enjoy approachable new American cuisine.

4450 W 38th Ave #130, Denver, CO 80212
(720) 638-1242
(720) 638-1242
Facebook

The Populist

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The Populist encourages guests to greet their neighbors and get cozy with its variety of community seating, including wooden benches surrounded by emerald greenery and strings of hanging lightbulbs. The convivial vibe is made all the more friendly with sharable plates that comprise the bulk of the menu.

3163 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 432-3163
(720) 432-3163
Facebook

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Avanti Food and Beverage

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Don’t call it a food court — Avanti’s seven shipping containers stuffed under one roof bring the indecisive diner immediate access to a diverse array of options, from arepas to poke bowls and pizza. Grab a beverage (boozy, refreshing or otherwise) and a bleacher seat to take in the views of the bustling metropolis.

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 269-4778
(720) 269-4778
AVANTI Adam Larkey

Also featured in:

Recess Beer Garden

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This backyard beer garden in the Lower Highlands successfully evokes images of a grade school playground — as the operators intended with a name like Recess. Customers can bring dogs and human friends, play games, and sprawl out on the picnic tables to enjoy the craft beer and American food.

2715 17th St #103, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 638-0020
(720) 638-0020
RECESS

Our Mutual Friend Brewing

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Casual and comfortable enough to be anyone’s best bud’s bar, this RiNo establishment opened in 2012, providing a community gathering hub and an assortment of ales with an emphasis on local sources. The small patio has food trucks that park most days and sparkling lights overhead.

2810 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 296-3441
(303) 296-3441

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El Five

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Named for its prized fifth-story location, El Five opened in May 2017, featuring unobstructed panoramic views of the downtown skyline and Mediterranean tapas. The swanky open-air outdoor seating is a hot commodity, so consider making a reservation and requesting a patio perch. Go for calamari, crispy cauliflower, and cocktails galore.

Fifth Floor, 2930 Umatilla, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 524-9193
(303) 524-9193
Facebook

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Los Chingones

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River North’s Mexican restaurant scene features a fusion of flavors and a fun-filled, two-story environment with colorful, floor-to-ceiling murals. The spacious rooftop patio packs with a lively happy hour crowd, and demands at least one round of garden guacamole and Silk Pajamas margaritas.

2463 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-0686
(303) 295-0686
Facebook

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Briar Common Brewery + Eatery

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This Jefferson Park neighborhood restaurant and full brewery operation features a rooftop patio overlooking the park, perfect for game-day drinking or a Rocky Mountain sunset. Last summer, the eatery added shade and misters to beat the heat. Food offerings include salads, shrimp corndogs, ham-chop, and more.

2298 Clay St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 512-3894
(720) 512-3894
Facebook

Historians Ale House

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This unpretentious South Broadway tavern has more than 40 beers on draft, more than half of which are local. The rooftop patio includes a full bar, two TVs, a fireplace, and westward views. The BLT dip is indulgent, but good for groups, while the burgers are a solid choice for a real meal.

24 Broadway #102, Denver, CO 80203
(720) 479-8505
(720) 479-8505
Facebook

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Kaos Pizzeria

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This Naples-style pizza parlor takes the quaint nature of South Pearl Street to the next level. Most patrons who dine in choose to take advantage of the front-yard seating.

1439 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
(303) 733-5267
(303) 733-5267

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Gibby's Big Backyard

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This suburban sports bar has 12 rotating taps, lots of snacks — including sandwiches and pizzas — and a dedicated outdoor area, complete with volleyball courts and lots of seating.

1555 S Havana St Unit W, Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 755-5944
(303) 755-5944

Vital Root

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“Making vegetables sexy and accessible for all” is the house mantra, and the greenery in this garden oasis aligns well with it. The menu is vegetarian, but the food and atmosphere should appeal to everyone, from meat eaters to vegans.

3915 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
(303) 474-4131
(303) 474-4131
Facebook

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Blackbelly Market

1606 Conestoga St #3, Boulder, CO 80301

This Boulder-based restaurant and butcher, helmed by chef Hosea Rosenberg, has two patios. Both are worthy of sipping on a glass of wine or eating some organic, farmhouse fare.

1606 Conestoga St #3, Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 247-1000
(303) 247-1000
Facebook

Zeppelin Station

Denver, CO 80216

Denver’s newest global food hall sits along the 38th and Blake light rail stop, beckoning mass transit riders and pedestrians to grab a bite to-go or stick around and enjoy the sights, best viewed from a slab of concrete at the entryway with benches. Garage doors open to produce a true indoor-outdoor experience.

Denver, CO 80216
(720) 460-1978
(720) 460-1978
Adam Larkey

Brazen Neighborhood Eatery

4450 W 38th Ave #130, Denver, CO 80212

This Berkeley haunt features a quiet outdoor space and the warmth of a fire pit, around which diners can enjoy approachable new American cuisine.

4450 W 38th Ave #130, Denver, CO 80212
(720) 638-1242
(720) 638-1242
Facebook

The Populist

3163 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

The Populist encourages guests to greet their neighbors and get cozy with its variety of community seating, including wooden benches surrounded by emerald greenery and strings of hanging lightbulbs. The convivial vibe is made all the more friendly with sharable plates that comprise the bulk of the menu.

3163 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(720) 432-3163
(720) 432-3163
Facebook

Avanti Food and Beverage

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211

Don’t call it a food court — Avanti’s seven shipping containers stuffed under one roof bring the indecisive diner immediate access to a diverse array of options, from arepas to poke bowls and pizza. Grab a beverage (boozy, refreshing or otherwise) and a bleacher seat to take in the views of the bustling metropolis.

3200 N Pecos St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 269-4778
(720) 269-4778
AVANTI Adam Larkey

Recess Beer Garden

2715 17th St #103, Denver, CO 80211

This backyard beer garden in the Lower Highlands successfully evokes images of a grade school playground — as the operators intended with a name like Recess. Customers can bring dogs and human friends, play games, and sprawl out on the picnic tables to enjoy the craft beer and American food.

2715 17th St #103, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 638-0020
(720) 638-0020
RECESS

Our Mutual Friend Brewing

2810 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

Casual and comfortable enough to be anyone’s best bud’s bar, this RiNo establishment opened in 2012, providing a community gathering hub and an assortment of ales with an emphasis on local sources. The small patio has food trucks that park most days and sparkling lights overhead.

2810 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 296-3441
(303) 296-3441

El Five

Fifth Floor, 2930 Umatilla, Denver, CO 80211

Named for its prized fifth-story location, El Five opened in May 2017, featuring unobstructed panoramic views of the downtown skyline and Mediterranean tapas. The swanky open-air outdoor seating is a hot commodity, so consider making a reservation and requesting a patio perch. Go for calamari, crispy cauliflower, and cocktails galore.

Fifth Floor, 2930 Umatilla, Denver, CO 80211
(303) 524-9193
(303) 524-9193
Facebook

Los Chingones

2463 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205

River North’s Mexican restaurant scene features a fusion of flavors and a fun-filled, two-story environment with colorful, floor-to-ceiling murals. The spacious rooftop patio packs with a lively happy hour crowd, and demands at least one round of garden guacamole and Silk Pajamas margaritas.

2463 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
(303) 295-0686
(303) 295-0686
Facebook

Briar Common Brewery + Eatery

2298 Clay St, Denver, CO 80211

This Jefferson Park neighborhood restaurant and full brewery operation features a rooftop patio overlooking the park, perfect for game-day drinking or a Rocky Mountain sunset. Last summer, the eatery added shade and misters to beat the heat. Food offerings include salads, shrimp corndogs, ham-chop, and more.

2298 Clay St, Denver, CO 80211
(720) 512-3894
(720) 512-3894
Facebook

Historians Ale House

24 Broadway #102, Denver, CO 80203

This unpretentious South Broadway tavern has more than 40 beers on draft, more than half of which are local. The rooftop patio includes a full bar, two TVs, a fireplace, and westward views. The BLT dip is indulgent, but good for groups, while the burgers are a solid choice for a real meal.

24 Broadway #102, Denver, CO 80203
(720) 479-8505
(720) 479-8505
Facebook

Kaos Pizzeria

1439 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210

This Naples-style pizza parlor takes the quaint nature of South Pearl Street to the next level. Most patrons who dine in choose to take advantage of the front-yard seating.

1439 S Pearl St, Denver, CO 80210
(303) 733-5267
(303) 733-5267

Gibby's Big Backyard

1555 S Havana St Unit W, Aurora, CO 80012

This suburban sports bar has 12 rotating taps, lots of snacks — including sandwiches and pizzas — and a dedicated outdoor area, complete with volleyball courts and lots of seating.

1555 S Havana St Unit W, Aurora, CO 80012
(303) 755-5944
(303) 755-5944

Vital Root

3915 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212

“Making vegetables sexy and accessible for all” is the house mantra, and the greenery in this garden oasis aligns well with it. The menu is vegetarian, but the food and atmosphere should appeal to everyone, from meat eaters to vegans.

3915 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
(303) 474-4131
(303) 474-4131
Facebook

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