Top Three Perfect Patio Pairings in Colorado for the Summer

Photo courtesy of Little Finch Denver

If quaint & cozy is calling your name:

Walk through the doors of Barcelona Wine Bar in RiNo and you may feel like you’ve entered another world: a high energy vibe and menu of Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired tapas and dishes. Continue on through the space to the intimate interior courtyard patio offering a break from the busy street with a dedicated bar and European feel. Sip something with a Mediterranean vibe like the Guns & Rosés sangria, with Lillet Rose, Woody Creek vodka, peach nectar, fresh lemon and grapefruit bitters, available by the glass – or a carafe if you’re sharing with friends.

Photo courtesy of Barcelona Wine Bar

Pull up a seat at the energetic street-side patio at Little Finch, where Executive Chef/Owner Mary Nguyen created a sunny urban oasis to sip, snack and share bites from the menu of elegantly casual European style dishes. For summer sipping we suggest the Bojito, a variation of the mojito with rum, fresh mint + blueberries, plus honey lavender and a squeeze of fresh lime. Don’t miss the Happy Hour “Eat & Bottle” special, daily from 4-7pm and all day on Sunday with a bottle of wine plus any choice from the Eats section for $30.

Photo courtesy of Little Finch Denver

The charming corner-facing patio on a tree-lined street beckons guests into Rooted Craft Kitchen, the newest venture from industry vets Chef Nicholas Kayser and Scott Ericson. Rooted’s patio features a variety of cushiony lounge-like seating options with umbrellas and a generous two sided bar providing an additional 8 seats and a casual indoor/outdoor feel. Sip on a choice from the restaurant’s thoughtful No- or Low-ABV menu, like the sippable Sherry Cobbler with Amontillado sherry, orange, and fresh berries, or make it full octane with the Elevators (Tree & Yu) with Hendrick’s gin, house made yuzu shrub, fresno chili, fresh lemon and tonic.

Photo courtesy of Comida

If tequila or margaritas are a must for you patio-party, try:

The Golden Mill, located in the heart of downtown Golden, boasts two patios – the creekside lower level patio and Golden’s only rooftop patio – both with gorgeous views of Mount Zion and North and South Table Mountains. With Golden Mill’s self-pour tap system, guests can pick their own perfect pairing from a selection of more than 50 craft beers, seltzers, wines and more on the self-pour tap walls. New on-tap cocktails for this summer include a spicy margarita that pairs perfectly with the rooftop fire pits and some grub from Tacos al Chile; the Ruby Red Mule, a citrusy twist on the classic cocktail which makes for an Instagram-worthy photo with the Colorado sunset as a background; and the trendy-again espresso martini made with local cold brew, a tasty pick-me-up after a day of adventures in the Foothills.

Photo courtesy of Stanley Marketplace

Stop by Comida at Stanley Marketplace for the ultimate taco and tequila pairing while soaking up the summer sunshine. With over six margaritas on the menu, including the Agua de Jamaica Margarita made with Olmeca Altos Plata, hibiscus, agave, orange, lemon and lime, in addition to a variety of other refreshing and breezy beverages like The Baby Maker made with Suerte Blanco Tequila, Cool Hand Co. strawberry-hibiscus-jalapeno shrub, Aperol, and a Tajin rim, lose track of time Comida-style with Mexican street food like a taco, tostada or gordita in hand while kicking back on their pleasant patio.

Because no beverage screams summer sunshine louder than a margarita, Guapo Taco  is serving up their Casa de Guapo alongside the  restaurant’s many agave-focused, cool cocktails streetside on the large outdoor patio. Don’t miss the opportunity to pair your drink with one of Guapo Taco’s signature tacos, like the Chicken Tinga or Glazed Pork Belly.

Photo courtesy of Guapo Taco

For familiar or family-friendly pairings, consider:

5280 Burger Bar where you can enjoy your favorite burger and finish the meal with a sweet, boozy treat. Order up 5280 Burger Bar’s take on grown-up milkshakes, the Shaketini to sip in the sunshine. You can’t go wrong with flavors like Mint Chip that bring back childhood memories to the extra-boozy Old Fashioned Shaketini.

Grab a beer and clock some serious hours on the spacious patio of Stanley Beer Hall at Stanley Marketplace. With fifty-one pour-your-own taps, sip the afternoon away with a beer, wine, or a craft cocktail like their Moscow Mule made with Tito’s Vodka, ginger beer and fresh lime or the Stanley Beer Hall Margarita made with Exotico Blanco tequila, Gran Marnier and lime while you nosh on Stanley Beer Hall staples like Stanley Wings made with traditional buffalo sauce or sweet Thai chili, Green Chili Tots or Buffalo Cauliflower.

Photo courtesy of 5280 Burger Bar

When there’s a dedicated bar on the patio, you know it’ll be a good time. Cheluna’s Casita Azul, the outdoor bar serving up micheladas, radlers, slushies and paletas, is making its annual appearance again this summer just in time to enjoy a seasonal chilled chela or seltzer on the patio. Think seasonal cervezas like the Chela de Mesa, the light body beer with hints of apricot and peach or the Primo Pilsner with a floral aroma perfect for spring from the Latinx-owned brewery inside Stanley Marketplace.

Photo courtesy of Cheluna Brewing Co.