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Rooftop bar with indoor/outdoor space
The Woods at the top of The Source Hotel in RiNo.
Ryan Dearth

Where to Eat and Drink on a Denver Rooftop

Bars and eateries that come with a view

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The Woods at the top of The Source Hotel in RiNo.
| Ryan Dearth

Thanks to the Mile High City’s long, glorious autumns, it’s still patio weather here — and in keeping with the nickname, there’s no shortage of rooftops on which to soak up spectacular views (along with good booze and food). Here are 16, ordered from north to south, to check out before the snow begins to fall. While Boulder is beyond the geographical scope of this map, best bets there include Corrida, Avanti F&B, and the West End Tavern.

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The Red Barber

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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.

Rooftop deck overlooking Denver’s RiNo neighborhood
On The Red Barber’s rooftop deck.
From the Hip Photo

The Woods

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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.

View of downtown Denver from the rooftop of The Source Hotel
The unimpeded view from The Woods.
Ryan Dearth

Avanti F&B

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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.

Crowded rooftop deck at sunset
The deck at Avanti F&B.
Travis Rummel & Felt Soul Media

Los Chingones Central Park

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Like the RiNo flagship, the Central Park location of Troy Guard’s modern Mexican party place has a rooftop patio where the fiesta’s fueled by chorizo guac and chips, jalapeño-popper tacos, and rounds of T&Ts (tequila with Tang, OJ, and orange soda).

Rooftop patio with colorful chairs
On a clear day on Los Chingones’ deck, the snow-capped Rockies are visible on the horizon.
Adam Larkey

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.

Linger
Linger
Linger

El Five

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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.

Rooftop balcony with tables overlooking downtown denver
The Denver skyline as seen from El Five.
Rachel Adams Photography

Dimestore Delibar

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A rooftop patio is just the icing on the cake, so to speak, of this LoHi hot spot — a combination fast-casual eatery, full bar, and neighborhood market that’s at once quirky and au courant. Al fresco people-watching couldn’t be more fun than with a drink in hand like the Wu-Termelon Ruckus — tequila, watermelon shrub, muskmelon, cucumber — and a “dimeroll,” or flatbread wrap, in the other.

Restaurant with lots of trees and plants on upstairs and downstairs patio
The gardenlike atmosphere of Dimestore.
Ruth Tobias

The Golden Mill

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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.

Rooftop deck with picnic tables
The Golden Mill’s expansive deck.
The Golden Mill

Briar Common

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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.

Briar Common
Briar Common
Briar Common

54thirty

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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.)

Rooftop hotel bar in downtown Denver
Evening at 54thirty atop Le Méridien.
Le Méridien

Sloan's Lake Brewhouse and Pizzeria

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Sloan’s Lake spreads out in all its blue glory before the patrons lining the rooftop picnic tables at this outpost of Fort Collins’ famed Odell Brewing Co., where 16 taps are devoted primarily to experimental exclusives, from sage-wormwood saison to yuzu cream ale; the full kitchen specializes in pizzas like the Wild West topped with shaved bison, smoked Gouda, and green chile.

Two-story brewery and pizzeria with rooftop deck
At the top of Odell Brewing Co.’s second Denver location is a beautiful view of Sloan’s Lake.
Ruth Tobias

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.

Patio with sofas, armchairs, and a fire pit
A lounge-furnished nook on the FIRE patio at the ART hotel.
Rouse Photography

Jax Fish House Glendale

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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.

<span data-author="-1">Jax Fish House</span>
Jax Fish House
Jax Fish House/Facebook

Joy Hill Denver

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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.

Covered patio with view of mountains at sunset
Watching the sunset at Joy Hill.
Joy Hill

Izakaya Den

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Scoring a table on the second floor of this eternally thronged, architecturally dreamy Japanese restaurant — be it the small patio or the enclosed space that can partly open to the elements — is the hard part. Once accomplished, the easy part is breathing in the serene atmosphere and watching the crowds go by on Pearl Street while dining on some of Denver’s best sushi.

<span data-author="-1">Izakaya&nbsp;Den</span>
Izakaya Den’s upstairs patio.
Adam Larkey

Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria

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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.

Glasses of mezcal on a restaurant patio
Palenque’s deck overlooks Littleton’s charming downtown area; mezcal flights sweeten the view.
Pamela Rieke

The Red Barber

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.

Rooftop deck overlooking Denver’s RiNo neighborhood
On The Red Barber’s rooftop deck.
From the Hip Photo

The Woods

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.

View of downtown Denver from the rooftop of The Source Hotel
The unimpeded view from The Woods.
Ryan Dearth

Avanti F&B

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.

Crowded rooftop deck at sunset
The deck at Avanti F&B.
Travis Rummel & Felt Soul Media

Los Chingones Central Park

Like the RiNo flagship, the Central Park location of Troy Guard’s modern Mexican party place has a rooftop patio where the fiesta’s fueled by chorizo guac and chips, jalapeño-popper tacos, and rounds of T&Ts (tequila with Tang, OJ, and orange soda).

Rooftop patio with colorful chairs
On a clear day on Los Chingones’ deck, the snow-capped Rockies are visible on the horizon.
Adam Larkey

Linger

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.

Linger
Linger
Linger

El Five

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.

Rooftop balcony with tables overlooking downtown denver
The Denver skyline as seen from El Five.
Rachel Adams Photography

Dimestore Delibar

A rooftop patio is just the icing on the cake, so to speak, of this LoHi hot spot — a combination fast-casual eatery, full bar, and neighborhood market that’s at once quirky and au courant. Al fresco people-watching couldn’t be more fun than with a drink in hand like the Wu-Termelon Ruckus — tequila, watermelon shrub, muskmelon, cucumber — and a “dimeroll,” or flatbread wrap, in the other.

Restaurant with lots of trees and plants on upstairs and downstairs patio
The gardenlike atmosphere of Dimestore.
Ruth Tobias

The Golden Mill

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.

Rooftop deck with picnic tables
The Golden Mill’s expansive deck.
The Golden Mill

Briar Common

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.

Briar Common
Briar Common
Briar Common

54thirty

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.)

Rooftop hotel bar in downtown Denver
Evening at 54thirty atop Le Méridien.
Le Méridien

Sloan's Lake Brewhouse and Pizzeria

Sloan’s Lake spreads out in all its blue glory before the patrons lining the rooftop picnic tables at this outpost of Fort Collins’ famed Odell Brewing Co., where 16 taps are devoted primarily to experimental exclusives, from sage-wormwood saison to yuzu cream ale; the full kitchen specializes in pizzas like the Wild West topped with shaved bison, smoked Gouda, and green chile.

Two-story brewery and pizzeria with rooftop deck
At the top of Odell Brewing Co.’s second Denver location is a beautiful view of Sloan’s Lake.
Ruth Tobias

FIRE

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.

Patio with sofas, armchairs, and a fire pit
A lounge-furnished nook on the FIRE patio at the ART hotel.
Rouse Photography

Jax Fish House Glendale

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.

<span data-author="-1">Jax Fish House</span>
Jax Fish House
Jax Fish House/Facebook

Joy Hill Denver

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.

Covered patio with view of mountains at sunset
Watching the sunset at Joy Hill.
Joy Hill

Izakaya Den

Scoring a table on the second floor of this eternally thronged, architecturally dreamy Japanese restaurant — be it the small patio or the enclosed space that can partly open to the elements — is the hard part. Once accomplished, the easy part is breathing in the serene atmosphere and watching the crowds go by on Pearl Street while dining on some of Denver’s best sushi.

<span data-author="-1">Izakaya&nbsp;Den</span>
Izakaya Den’s upstairs patio.
Adam Larkey

Related Maps

Palenque Cocina Y Agaveria

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.

Glasses of mezcal on a restaurant patio
Palenque’s deck overlooks Littleton’s charming downtown area; mezcal flights sweeten the view.
Pamela Rieke

Related Maps