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54Thirty’s rooftop patio at sunset
54Thirty’s rooftop patio at sunset
54Thirty [Official Site]

15 Spots To Dine and Drink Outside This Season

‘Tis the season for drinking and eating outdoors

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54Thirty’s rooftop patio at sunset
| 54Thirty [Official Site]

From Mediterranean-inspired patios and rose garden tables to rooftop terraces with skyline views and cozy eateries with mountain ones, with more than 300 days of sun a year, it’s no wonder that Colorado’s options for outdoor dining are extensive.

For that next bite or drink out, here are 15 spots to drink and eat outdoors this season.

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Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

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Known as one of Colorado’s staple rooftops, this Mexican restaurant offers various locations around the area. At its Fort Collin’s spot, customers can sit under the sprawling greenery, sip on the restaurant’s notoriously strong margaritas and dig into tacos, fajitas, and tostadas. Be sure to check out the rooftop patios at the Denver and Boulder locations too.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Fort Collin’s patio
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Fort Collin’s patio
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant/Facebook

Rayback Collective

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Various porches, outdoor bars, lounges, fire pits, and games make this sprawling Boulder spot the definition of a good time outdoors. With a rotating roster of food trucks and more than 30 types of local beer, cider, and wine on tap, customers can play and stay fed and hydrated from the afternoon into the night. As Boulder’s self-proclaimed “backyard,” that’s exactly the type of all-day fun the family at the Rayback are aiming for.

Rayback Collective
Rayback Collective
Rayback Collective [Official Site]

River & Woods

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Housed in Boulder’s former and beloved, John’s Restaurant, present-day chef and owner Daniel Asher has transformed this cottage space, and its outdoor area, into a haunt that guests will want to stay a while. Its renovated outdoor patio features a restored Airstream-turned-bar and various handcrafted tables to dine under the Boulder skies. With a homey yet refined American menu sourced from recipes that local guests submit — like Aunt Penny’s mac and cheese with local organic mushrooms and organic greens — dining here feels like an elevated meal in a favorite neighbor’s backyard.

River & Woods
River & Woods
River & Woods/Facebook

Wild Standard

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Located in downtown Boulder, this fish-focused eatery serves up sustainably-sourced seafood plates and craft cocktails in an airy, urban space on the west end of Pearl Street Mall. With its front-side patio, it’s the perfect spot to grab a drink and meal after work and people watch. Also check out sister restaurant, Salt, next door for American fare and a corner terrace. 

Wild Standard’s front patio
Wild Standard’s front patio
Wild Standard/Facebook

Corrida

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Boasting what is arguably one of Boulder’s best restaurant views, this sophisticated Spanish locale features an expansive terrace patio complete with a fire-pit, lounge seating, and unparalleled views of the Flatirons. Diners can dine on various wood-fired dishes, three-course tasting lunches, and sip on craft cocktails, beer, and wine.

Corrida’s patio views
Corrida’s patio views
Jonathan Phillips

The Med

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A beloved Boulder staple, The Med is the go-to place for those days when some fresh air and a pitcher, or two, of sangria is in order. With an extensive tapas happy hour menu inspired by Italian, Spanish, and Greek fare, this sunny atrium patio is the perfect spot to sip on a glass of wine and feel like the Mediterranean coast is just around the corner.

The Med
The Med
The Med/Facebook

Sherpa Restaurant

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At this cozy eatery on the west end of Pearl Street Mall, in Boulder, diners can grab a table on the manicured patio and eat with an unparalleled, close-up view of the Flatirons. This restaurant offers fresh and healthy takes on food from the Himalaya region — Nepal, Tibet, and India — and a bar menu with local beers, wine, and a small variety of spirits. If owner Pemba Sherpa is around, be sure to ask about his story — one of his over-40 treks through the Himalayas or trip up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Sherpa Restaurant
Sherpa Restaurant
Sherpa Restaurant/Facebook

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

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Intricate hand-made tile walls, rose gardens, and river views make the patio at this Boulder hot spot unbeatable. With a high tea service, plates inspired by the Middle East, and a stunningly extensive tea selection, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is the spot to hit for when customers want that something a little bit unique.

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

The Populist

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This cozy RiNo eatery was built off owners’ — Jonathan Power, Noah Price, and Cliff White — deep-rooted value of community, as noted by the ambient patio space featuring several large communal tables against its recognizable ivy-grown wall. With a menu featuring elevated yet approachable drink and fare — think lesser-known winemakers and plates like roasted kabocha squash, Colorado grass-fed burgers, and gem lettuce salads, it’s a great spot to grab a group of friends and head for a night of shared plates and drinks.

The Populist
The Populist
The Populist/Facebook

Avanti Food & Beverage

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One of Denver’s more notable patios, Avanti Food and Beverage is more than just drinks and those killer, Denver skyline views. With its multi-level bars and “collective eatery” food hall featuring a variety of fare — French-inspired street food, tacos, burgers, Neapolitan pizzas, arepas, and rotisserie meats — there’s something here to satisfy everyone.

Avanti Food & Beverage
Avanti Food & Beverage patio
Avanti Food & Beverage [Official Site]

Finn's Manor

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At this eclectic, voodoo-spirit-esque RiNo haunt, a collection of craft cocktails, beers, and tasty global bites come together on what just might be Denver’s most colorful patio. The manor showcases a variety of beers from small breweries around the world, more than 400 types of whiskeys, and 140 agave spirits. With a rotating list of globally-inspired food trucks — think street food like bao buns, hot dogs, chicken skewers, and sticky rice — and daily events like salsa nights, live music, and DJ sets, there’s something here for everyone every night of the week.

Finn’s Manor
Finn’s Manor’s eclectic bar space
Adam Larkey

Postino LoHi

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Restored from a former 1940s post office, this bright LoHi spot boasts a spacious dining room that opens to one of LoHi’s best patios. Diners can sip on a variety of Italian house- and imported wines while munching on one of the rustic bruschetta boards.

Postino Wine Bar
Postino Wine Bar
Postino Wine Bar [Official Site]

Despite its origins as a former mortuary, this self-proclaimed “Eatuary” is the definition of lively. With views overlooking the lower Highlands and downtown Denver, Linger has a dedicated rooftop menu with internationally-inspired plates — Persian sliders, Korean barbecue tacos, and lemongrass pork potstickers — as well as refreshing cocktails like frozen mango margaritas, green tea Collins, and frosé.

Linger’s rooftop patio
Linger’s rooftop patio
Linger/Facebook

54thirty Rooftop

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As Denver’s highest rooftop patio, 54thirty is the place to go when looking for a sophisticated spot for drinks and food with a view. With its craft cocktail list and globally-inspired bites — avocado hummus, soy braised short ribs, spicy shrimp lettuce cups — the culinary offerings are just as elevated as the scenery.

54Thirty’s rooftop patio
54Thirty’s rooftop patio
54Thirty [Official Site]

Izakaya Den

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For those nights when an escape is needed, Izakaya Den transports diners to the far-flung corners of Japan — all in the comfort of its Platt Park location. With one of Denver’s best sushi menus, (fresh fish gets flown in daily), this sleek eatery boasts one of the area’s best rooftop patios with stunning East-meets-West-inspired architecture and decor. Diners can grab one of the tables and snack on intricate bites, sushi, and sashimi and sip on the extensive alcohol offerings of sake, wine, and beer.

Izakaya Den’s rooftop patio
Izakaya Den’s rooftop patio
Izakaya Den [Official Site]

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

Known as one of Colorado’s staple rooftops, this Mexican restaurant offers various locations around the area. At its Fort Collin’s spot, customers can sit under the sprawling greenery, sip on the restaurant’s notoriously strong margaritas and dig into tacos, fajitas, and tostadas. Be sure to check out the rooftop patios at the Denver and Boulder locations too.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Fort Collin’s patio
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Fort Collin’s patio
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant/Facebook

Rayback Collective

Various porches, outdoor bars, lounges, fire pits, and games make this sprawling Boulder spot the definition of a good time outdoors. With a rotating roster of food trucks and more than 30 types of local beer, cider, and wine on tap, customers can play and stay fed and hydrated from the afternoon into the night. As Boulder’s self-proclaimed “backyard,” that’s exactly the type of all-day fun the family at the Rayback are aiming for.

Rayback Collective
Rayback Collective
Rayback Collective [Official Site]

River & Woods

Housed in Boulder’s former and beloved, John’s Restaurant, present-day chef and owner Daniel Asher has transformed this cottage space, and its outdoor area, into a haunt that guests will want to stay a while. Its renovated outdoor patio features a restored Airstream-turned-bar and various handcrafted tables to dine under the Boulder skies. With a homey yet refined American menu sourced from recipes that local guests submit — like Aunt Penny’s mac and cheese with local organic mushrooms and organic greens — dining here feels like an elevated meal in a favorite neighbor’s backyard.

River & Woods
River & Woods
River & Woods/Facebook

Wild Standard

Located in downtown Boulder, this fish-focused eatery serves up sustainably-sourced seafood plates and craft cocktails in an airy, urban space on the west end of Pearl Street Mall. With its front-side patio, it’s the perfect spot to grab a drink and meal after work and people watch. Also check out sister restaurant, Salt, next door for American fare and a corner terrace. 

Wild Standard’s front patio
Wild Standard’s front patio
Wild Standard/Facebook

Corrida

Boasting what is arguably one of Boulder’s best restaurant views, this sophisticated Spanish locale features an expansive terrace patio complete with a fire-pit, lounge seating, and unparalleled views of the Flatirons. Diners can dine on various wood-fired dishes, three-course tasting lunches, and sip on craft cocktails, beer, and wine.

Corrida’s patio views
Corrida’s patio views
Jonathan Phillips

The Med

A beloved Boulder staple, The Med is the go-to place for those days when some fresh air and a pitcher, or two, of sangria is in order. With an extensive tapas happy hour menu inspired by Italian, Spanish, and Greek fare, this sunny atrium patio is the perfect spot to sip on a glass of wine and feel like the Mediterranean coast is just around the corner.

The Med
The Med
The Med/Facebook

Sherpa Restaurant

At this cozy eatery on the west end of Pearl Street Mall, in Boulder, diners can grab a table on the manicured patio and eat with an unparalleled, close-up view of the Flatirons. This restaurant offers fresh and healthy takes on food from the Himalaya region — Nepal, Tibet, and India — and a bar menu with local beers, wine, and a small variety of spirits. If owner Pemba Sherpa is around, be sure to ask about his story — one of his over-40 treks through the Himalayas or trip up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Sherpa Restaurant
Sherpa Restaurant
Sherpa Restaurant/Facebook

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

Intricate hand-made tile walls, rose gardens, and river views make the patio at this Boulder hot spot unbeatable. With a high tea service, plates inspired by the Middle East, and a stunningly extensive tea selection, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is the spot to hit for when customers want that something a little bit unique.

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

The Populist

This cozy RiNo eatery was built off owners’ — Jonathan Power, Noah Price, and Cliff White — deep-rooted value of community, as noted by the ambient patio space featuring several large communal tables against its recognizable ivy-grown wall. With a menu featuring elevated yet approachable drink and fare — think lesser-known winemakers and plates like roasted kabocha squash, Colorado grass-fed burgers, and gem lettuce salads, it’s a great spot to grab a group of friends and head for a night of shared plates and drinks.

The Populist
The Populist
The Populist/Facebook

Avanti Food & Beverage

One of Denver’s more notable patios, Avanti Food and Beverage is more than just drinks and those killer, Denver skyline views. With its multi-level bars and “collective eatery” food hall featuring a variety of fare — French-inspired street food, tacos, burgers, Neapolitan pizzas, arepas, and rotisserie meats — there’s something here to satisfy everyone.

Avanti Food & Beverage
Avanti Food & Beverage patio
Avanti Food & Beverage [Official Site]

Finn's Manor

At this eclectic, voodoo-spirit-esque RiNo haunt, a collection of craft cocktails, beers, and tasty global bites come together on what just might be Denver’s most colorful patio. The manor showcases a variety of beers from small breweries around the world, more than 400 types of whiskeys, and 140 agave spirits. With a rotating list of globally-inspired food trucks — think street food like bao buns, hot dogs, chicken skewers, and sticky rice — and daily events like salsa nights, live music, and DJ sets, there’s something here for everyone every night of the week.

Finn’s Manor
Finn’s Manor’s eclectic bar space
Adam Larkey

Postino LoHi

Restored from a former 1940s post office, this bright LoHi spot boasts a spacious dining room that opens to one of LoHi’s best patios. Diners can sip on a variety of Italian house- and imported wines while munching on one of the rustic bruschetta boards.

Postino Wine Bar
Postino Wine Bar
Postino Wine Bar [Official Site]

Linger

Despite its origins as a former mortuary, this self-proclaimed “Eatuary” is the definition of lively. With views overlooking the lower Highlands and downtown Denver, Linger has a dedicated rooftop menu with internationally-inspired plates — Persian sliders, Korean barbecue tacos, and lemongrass pork potstickers — as well as refreshing cocktails like frozen mango margaritas, green tea Collins, and frosé.

Linger’s rooftop patio
Linger’s rooftop patio
Linger/Facebook

54thirty Rooftop

As Denver’s highest rooftop patio, 54thirty is the place to go when looking for a sophisticated spot for drinks and food with a view. With its craft cocktail list and globally-inspired bites — avocado hummus, soy braised short ribs, spicy shrimp lettuce cups — the culinary offerings are just as elevated as the scenery.

54Thirty’s rooftop patio
54Thirty’s rooftop patio
54Thirty [Official Site]

Izakaya Den

For those nights when an escape is needed, Izakaya Den transports diners to the far-flung corners of Japan — all in the comfort of its Platt Park location. With one of Denver’s best sushi menus, (fresh fish gets flown in daily), this sleek eatery boasts one of the area’s best rooftop patios with stunning East-meets-West-inspired architecture and decor. Diners can grab one of the tables and snack on intricate bites, sushi, and sashimi and sip on the extensive alcohol offerings of sake, wine, and beer.

Izakaya Den’s rooftop patio
Izakaya Den’s rooftop patio
Izakaya Den [Official Site]

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