9 Ways to Welcome the Fall Season

Photo courtesy of Local Jones

Local Jones Swingin’ Shells Brunch Launch, Sept. 6

Local Jones, located within Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, is launching a brand-new Saturday brunch offering: Swingin’ Shells Brunch. Available from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. beginning Saturday, Sept. 6, and every Saturday after through the end of the year, Local Jones will offer its regular brunch menu plus a shellfish spread featuring raw, roasted and dressed oysters, complemented by crisp bubbles and bold cocktails with live jazz. More information and reservations can be found at localjones.com.

Photo courtesy of St Julien Hotel & Spa

Oktoberfest at St Julien, Sept. 7

Get ready to raise your steins and celebrate the third-annual Oktoberfest at St Julien Hotel & Spa on Sunday, Sept. 7. Nestled against the breathtaking Flatirons, guests will find the perfect blend of Bavarian tradition and Colorado elegance. Live music will begin at 1 p.m. with the Alan Polivka Band playing favorite Polka and Oompah classics. Tickets start at $49 and include a German-themed buffet, schweinebraten (roast pork), wurstl (Bavarian sausages & sauerkraut), brezen (pretzels), schnitzel, black forest cake and much more. Plus, there will be prizes for the best dressed and stein holder winner. Tickets and more information can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek

Tulum Pool Party with GNAT Jewelry Atelier, Sept. 7

On Sunday, Sept. 7, from noon-8 p.m., Rare Bird, located atop Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek and in partnership with GNAT Jewelry Atelier, transforms into a sun-soaked paradise featuring live DJs J|Adore and JENN/LO spinning house, Afro and techno; mezcal, tequila, and tropical-inspired drinks crafted for the occasion; tacos, ceviche, shrimp specials and more. Plus, guests can take a dip in the pool or lounge under the sun. Tickets, available here, are $55 per person and include rooftop access to the event, DJ sets and pool access; cabanas are also available and can be reserved for up to six people for the day here ($400).

Photo courtesy of Jeff Fierberg

Sunset & Saffron at Kisbee on the Roof, Wednesday, Sept. 10

Renowned for its sunset views and buzzy rooftop energy, Kisbee on the Roof is celebrating golden hour with a Spanish-themed event on Sept. 10 from 6-9 p.m. — perfectly timed with the Colorado sunset. Featuring live, open-flame paella cooking on the rooftop; Spanish-inspired tapas and sips such as pan con tomate, sangria and cava; and an Ibiza-style DJ set, the event will curate a Spanish coastal atmosphere. Guests can soak up the views and mingle at shared tables throughout the space or reserve a cabana for a more private experience. Free general admission reservations can be made via OpenTable here, and for those who prefer to celebrate in style with a group, VIP cabanas can be purchased through OpenTable here. For more information, visit thejacquard.com/rooftop.

Photo courtesy of Jovanina’s Broken Italian

Tour of Italy Winemakers Dinner at Jovanina’s Broken Italian, Wednesday, Sept. 10

Jovanina’s Broken Italian is offering a four-course wine dinner featuring wines from across Italy, and the winemakers who created them, including Mariano Buglioni from Cantine Buglioni, Alessandro Medici from Medici Ermete, and Giovanni Folonari from Tenuta di Nozzle. Tickets are $125 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) and include courses of cheese & charcuterie; salmon gravlax salad; ragú of rabbit confit with house made bicicleta pasta; grilled trattoria steak with romesco and grilled late summer vegetables; and assorted sweets, all accompanied by complementary wines. Tickets are available here.

Photo courtesy of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek

Spritz Brunch at Local Jones, Sept. 21

Local Jones, located within Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, is giving brunch a sparkling twist on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Guests will settle in the neighborhood bistro’s private dining room for a relaxed afternoon exploring the storied past of the spritz with guided tastings that highlight Grey Goose and its infused expressions, Bombay Sapphire and St-Germain. This special edition of brunch is $65 per person and includes three spritz cocktails and all the lively brunch energy for which Local Jones is known. More information and tickets can be found here.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Elle Photography

Echoes of the Drum and Feast of the Land Cultural Dinner at The Fort, Oct. 15

As part of The Fort’s cultural programming, the “truly Colorado” restaurant will host “Echoes of the Drum and Feast of the Land” ticketed dinner on Wednesday, October 15. The special evening will celebrate the rich heritage and enduring traditions of Native Americans including a specially crafted menu inspired by the foods ancestral Native Americans enjoyed – reimagined with The Fort’s signature twist. Dishes will include pueblo-fired squash blossoms served with chokecherry honey, pueblo pumpkin soup, rack of venison, Cherokee huckleberry honey cake and more. As the sun sets over the restaurant’s scenic outdoor patio, guests will experience the powerful rhythm of the Native drummer and Iithe movements of traditional dances. Francis Sherwood (Arikara/Hidatsa/ Navajo), JoDene Sherwood (Blackfeet/Assiniboine/Cree) and their daughters will be the night’s performers. Tickets are available here for $136 per person.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Kelly Photography

Vegan Pumpkin Shakes and Pumpkin Spice Cake at Next Level Veggie Grill, Through Oct. 31

This fall, the newly minted Next Level Veggie Grill Denver will offer delicious vegan sweet treats to celebrate the season. The pumpkin spice shake features house-made organic coconut or soy soft-serve ice cream hand-spun with organic pumpkin and autumn spices and topped with whipped cream and cinnamon as well as the pumpkin spice cake, a beloved Veggie Grill menu item new to Denver. The pumpkin mini bundt cake is drizzled with cinnamon-spiced icing and topped with chopped walnuts. But, wait, there’s more! On Sept. 26, Next Level Veggie Grill will add the Dirty Jack-O-Lantern Shake to the menu, which is made with house-made organic coconut or soy soft serve ice cream hand-spun with organic pumpkin puree and house-made gluten-free chocolate cookies and topped with whipped cream, organic chocolate sauce, cookie crumbles and sour gummy worms. In addition to these fall specials, Next Level will host its annual Fall Animal Sanctuary Week from Sept. 14-20, partnering with three animal sanctuaries across the nation, including Luvin Arms in Erie, Colorado, and donating 5% of sales from all Next Level locations and brands to these organizations.

Photo courtesy of Lucy Beaugard

Fall Drinks at Olive & Finch and Little Finch

Olive & Finch and its sister café Little Finch are welcoming September with the launch of their fall drink menus. From the classic pumpkin spiced latte (garnished with a ribbon of caramel, a dusting of cinnamon and a cloud of whipped cream) to the apple pie latte and spiced apple chai (made with local Bhakti Chai, warm spices and fragrant apple syrup), these cozy beverages will be around all autumn. The guest favorite Toasted Pumpkin Shaken Espresso, made with toasted marshmallow and topped with a layer of silky pumpkin spice sweet cream, will return to the menu as well. Pair your drink of choice with fall pastries such as the apple and pumpkin cheesecake hand pies for the perfect seasonal experience. Learn more at oliveandfinch.com.