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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

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

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.

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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.

Adam Larkey

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.

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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.

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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.

AVANTI Adam Larkey

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

Facebook

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.

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.

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.

Facebook

Blackbelly Market

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.

Facebook

Zeppelin Station

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.

Adam Larkey

Brazen Neighborhood Eatery

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

Facebook

The Populist

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.

Facebook

Avanti Food and Beverage

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.

AVANTI Adam Larkey

Recess Beer Garden

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.

RECESS

Our Mutual Friend Brewing

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.

El Five

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.

Facebook

Los Chingones

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.

Facebook

Briar Common Brewery + Eatery

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.

Facebook

Historians Ale House

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.

Facebook

Kaos Pizzeria

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.

Gibby's Big Backyard

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.

Vital Root

“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.

Facebook

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