Fall in Colorado can feel more like “summer, the sequel.” Temperatures are often still warm, patios and rooftops remain sun-soaked and, when it does get a little chilly, restaurants and bars can lend an assist with space heaters. These seven Denver patios and rooftops stay open throughout the fall so you can continue enjoying your meals or cocktails outdoors. Some even will invite you back outside again in the winter, when, say, those 60-degree days make a December cameo.
Acova. At this LoHi hotspot that opened in May, owners Sean and Betsy Workman rehabbed an alleyway and set up a scenic patio. Tables have overhead heaters to keep you toasty while you sip a wine slushie or nosh on an Italian calamari dish with cherry tomatoes and capers, plus crostinis to scoop up the San Marzano sauce. But the patio comes with a rare and coveted amenity: a playspace for children. Betsy Workman designed the space, called The Nest, with her autistic son in mind. Kids can play on a tire swing, color with chalk and arrange magnetic letters in the imaginative space. “The Nest provides a safe place for kids to play, while allowing parents the chance to enjoy their meals, drinks and friends,” Betsy Workman says. Acova is the sister restaurant to The Hornet, a South Broadway icon. Acova: 3651 Navajo St., Denver, 303-736-2718, acovarestaurant.com. Hours: Mon-Fri. 11 a.m.-12 a.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
FIRE at The Art Hotel. Fire pits are known to warm up a crowd here. But the hotel also keeps blankets on hand so you can bundle up while you sip a smoked Manhattan or sample a Colorado whiskey flight. The terrace also has fireside cocktails that are served warm. (Think: a mulled cabernet sauvignon or the Rockwell Done, with a pecan-infused bourbon mixed with frangelico, cranberry, cinnamon, plum bitters and finished with a pecan sugar rim.) New this season at FIRE is a 12-seat drink rail that overlooks Denver. DJs provide music on Thursday and Friday nights. FIRE: 1201 Broadway, Denver, 303-572-8000, thearthotel.com/dine-drink/fire. Terrace hours are 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. (weather permitting) with social hour running from 3 to 6 p.m.
LOW Country Kitchen’s new bar Balcon. LOW Country — a restaurant that puts a Southern spin on a BLT with fried green tomatoes and is especially known for its fried chicken and buttery biscuits — inherited prime rooftop space in Denver’s Lower Highlands neighborhood when it moved in last year. Come Oct. 12, the rooftop patio will be converted into Balcon (French for balcony), a rooftop bar equipped with heaters, picnic tables and bistro lights that will be opened year-round, weather permitting. “I am so inspired by the city of New Orleans, and we are looking forward to bringing that vibe to Denver,” says Alex Herbert, LOW’s bar captain. Head up to the bar before or after dinner and enjoy Southern cocktails and snack on spicy boiled peanuts or pickle baskets. LOW Country Kitchen: 1575 Boulder St. A., Denver, 720-512-4168, lowrestaurant.com. Balcon will be open 5-10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, weather-dependent, but LOW Country Kitchen is open 5-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10:30 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Tamayo. Tamayo’s rooftop is already special, with panoramic views of the mountains and peripheral glimpses of the twinkling lights draped over Larimer Street. The covered patio at Chef Richard Sandoval’s modern Mexican restaurant and tequileria comes with space heaters, making it a perfect fall hangout. To really get this right, Miranda McFarlan, general manager, recommends ordering up a Cappuccino Tamayo, made with espresso, steamed milk, Patron XO and Tuaca. “It’s a versatile drink that works for brunch, dessert or even happy hour,” she says. Plus, starting Oct. 1, Tamayo will be celebrating a Chile Relleno Festival with modern twists on the versatile relleno appearing on a limited-time menu. Tamayo: 1400 Larimer St., Denver, 720-946-1433, eattamayo.com. Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner Sun.-Thur. 5-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 5-11 p.m. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Happy hour daily 2-6 p.m. at the tequila bar and lounge.
Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek.
Think of Halcyon’s rooftop bar as a two-for-one urban observatory: You get views of both the mountains and downtown Denver’s cityscape. The hotel will enjoy an extended outdoor sipping season thanks to firepits and newly installed heaters on its rooftop. “Our new cocktail menu is going to feature some heartier, more robust cocktails that will keep you warm as the temperatures drop,” says bar manager Daryl Pryor. Halcyon: 245 Columbine St., Denver, 720-772-5000, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com. Open Thurs-Fri. 4-11 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.. Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Denver Milk Market. The alleyway patio behind the Milk Market, Denver’s newest food hall, gets our nomination for most fun thanks to interactive art, like a crank that you can turn to play music recorded by Colorado Symphony musicians. (You’ve always aspired to be an alleyway DJ, yes?) Plus, there’s cornhole games set up. While the food hall doesn’t have a liquor license allowing you to take your drinks outside, you can order bao buns, gelato and other treats from walk-up windows. Or, head down the way to Poka Lola Social Club, which has a two-sided bar facing indoors and outdoors. Milk Market: 1800 Wazee St., Denver, denvermilkmarket.com, 303-792-8242. In general, the Milk Market is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., but some venues are early risers like Lou’s and Morning Jones, which open at 7 a.m. Some stay open late like Moo Bar, Mano and Stranded Pilgrim, which are open until 11 p.m. and Engine Room that stays open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
54Thirty at Le Méridien. The French-inspired hotel has a prime lookout of Denver with its sky-high 54Thirty, open-air rooftop view that gives unspoiled views of the Rocky Mountains and keeps guests warm with fire pits. Located on the 20th floor of Le Méridien, 54Thirty bills itself as the Mile High City’s highest open air bar. It’s self-aware of its prime real estate: A beer cocktail is dubbed #ThatViewThough. The bar also serves guests from a global-inspired menu with snacks like avocado hummus, habanero popcorn and soy braised short rib. 54Thirty: 1475 California St., Denver, 303-893-1888, 54thirty.com. Mon.-Thurs. 3-11 p.m., Fri. 3 p.m.-12 a.m., Sat. 1 p.m.-midnight; Sun. 1-10 p.m.
