Though it sits several stories up, this venue atop the Catbird Hotel in RiNo has so far flown under the radar — which means those in the know can often have the run of the sprawling space, complete with an indoor/outdoor bar; games on the picnic lawn; and of course stellar, near-360-degree views. In keeping with the vibe, both the drinks and the food are geared toward easy sociability — think punch, frosé, and a variety of skewers.

It’s well worth the trip to the top of the Source Hotel for the unparalleled views of skyscrapers and mountain peaks alone: New Belgium beers brewed right downstairs, fun cocktails like the Strawberry Americano, and eats ranging from lager-brined wings to pizza with Fat Tire–infused sausage are all just bonuses.

Six years in, this LoHi food hall is as hot as ever, thanks not least to a rooftop deck with sweeping views of downtown and the Rockies that make the food — be it Lea Jane’s hot chicken tenders, dumplings from Meta Asian Kitchen, Knockabout’s chorizo-queso burger, or anything from four other concepts — taste even better. The upstairs bar keeps the party going with myriad craft beers and seasonal cocktails like the pineapple-basil margarita.

Atop this onetime LoHi mortuary turned eclectic Edible Beats “eatuary,” spectacular sunsets enhance the mood set by cocktails served from an old VW van alongside snacks like short rib–scallion pancakes and BBQ duck bao — which were in fact made for lingering over while waving to the people in the endless line for Little Man ice cream below.

Just around the corner, Linger’s fabulous Mediterranean sibling El Five awaits with a patio whose skyline views from five floors up positively dazzle. Reservations are strongly recommended, so plan ahead a night of tapas and sangria in the moonlight.

On the site of a historic grain mill, this Golden food hall became an instant west-side destination when it opened back in April. Two banks of self-service taps, a quintet of vendors including Rolling Smoke BBQ and the superb Sushi Sora, and a live music calendar are the main draws — but the expansive rooftop deck, boasting views of North and South Table Mountain and Clear Creek, is also key to its appeal.

One of Jefferson Park’s better-kept secrets, this true brewpub pours intriguing beers like dragonfruit kölsch and lemon peel–white pepper rye saison for guests to pair with confit duck tacos, fish and chips, or brunchtime chicken and waffles on the chill upstairs patio overlooking the green space for which the neighborhood’s named.

Named for its elevation in feet above sea level, Le Méridien’s spacious rooftop lounge is currently the highest open-air bar in Denver. Also elevated are the snacks and sips, from avocado-pistachio hummus with flatbread and Korean-spiced chips and onion dip to Mez Tais with mezcal and honey foam and almond liqueur–laced Cold Brew Martinis — but then, everything looks good against this panoramic backdrop. (Note that capacity is strictly regulated, so there’s usually a waitlist for entry.)

Dotted with fire pits and lined with semi-enclosed nooks, FIRE restaurant’s fourth-floor terrace at the ART hotel feels like an intimate secret among local insiders. Come for happy hour, when select drinks go for $4 to $7 and the snacks include garlic-parmesan fries with sundried-tomato aioli and salmon sliders on mini-bagels.

Glendale is not the first place one would look for either good seafood or good views, but here’s Jax with rooftop seating to boot. Tucking into a bowl of made-to-order chowder, a lobster roll, or a mess of peel ‘n’ eat shrimp on a sunny, breezy day is as good as it gets 1,000 miles from the nearest ocean.

One of Denver’s top pizzerias is also one of its best bets for rooftop relaxation. Come for the sourdough pies and snappy drinks from the smartly curated bar; stay for the glow that suffuses the partially covered patio, strung with lights and dotted with potted plants, as the sun sets over the mountains.

This Mexican charmer has a double identity as both a neighborhood joint to the regulars who are here for the margs and chimichangas and a serious purveyor of agave sipping spirits to connoisseurs, who come to sample small-batch mezcals, tequilas, and more. But they all meet and mingle on the sun-dappled second-floor patio overlooking quaint downtown Littleton.