Colorado’s adage “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes” is good news for the area’s patio lovers. From patios on the base of (defunct) air traffic control towers to patios in the hearts of downtown Steamboat, Denver and Boulder, the following are some of Colorado’s best places to dine and drink al fresco.
Some of our favorite patios in Colorado include:
FlyteCo Tower - Best Patio for Aviation Enthusiasts, Historians and Families
In 2022, aviation-themed brewery FlyteCo Tower opened its 25,000-square-foot brewpub in the now defunct Stapleton Air Traffic Control tower attached to the iconic 164-foot-tower, which includes an expansive patio. The patio includes 18 holes of minigolf, ping pong and lawn games, in addition to the high-tech golf stimulators, axe throwing, six bowling lanes, full arcade and three floors of fun inside. The space has become a community gathering space for craft beer lovers, families and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Hops & Pie
Last year, Tennyson’s Hops & Pie opened a 3,000-square-foot patio, a parking-lot-turned-patio labor of love. The expansive patio is game, baby, pizza and beer-friendly. With 20+ craft beer taps, usually with hard-to-find beers and sourdough Detroit-style pizza, it’s one of the best patios in the city.
Mambo Italiano - Best Patio in Yampa Valley
With tables full of beloved Italian-American delicacies like Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiano and Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Italian-inspired spritzes, an enviable wine list, a generous happy hour, a Tuscany-inspired mural, and in the heart of downtown, Steamboat Springs Mambo Italiano’s gorgeous patio is one of Colorado’s very best al fresco dining spots at 6,900’. Mambo is one of the first spots you see when you’re arriving in Steamboat’s iconic downtown. Mambo boasts an inviting open kitchen, pizza bar, indoor-outdoor bar and beautiful patio that combines new and old world Italian cuisine and decor, making it the dining destination in Yampa Valley.
OAK at Fourteenth - Best Patio for Summer Dinner on Boulder’s Pearl Street
Located in the heart of Boulder’s pedestrian-only Pearl Street Mall, OAK at Fourteenth’s patio has been a neighborhood staple of downtown for more than a decade. OAK at Fourteenth (recently recommended by the Michelin Guide) is a stylish neighborhood restaurant that has been offering local and seasonal woodfired American cuisine to locals and visitors for more than a decade. From the very beginning, OAK has inspired loyal customers and rave reviews for their menus, led by Co-owner James Beard Semi-Finalist Chef Steve Redzikowski.
Just BE Kitchen - Best Dog-Friendly Patio, Best Gluten-Free Patio
Right in the heart of Denver's bustling Platte Street is Just BE Kitchen’s dog-friendly patio where the kitchen serves up gluten-free goodies for humans and dogs alike. Just BE Kitchen’s menu is 100 percent free of gluten, grains, refined sugars, dairy and seed oils. (For dogs, they create a sweet potato dog treat.) Just BE has a drool-worthy menu that appeals to health-conscious families, high-performance athletes, those living with food allergies and anyone seeking an 'ooey, gooey, stick-to-your-ribs' kind of meal that just so happens to be allergen free.
Parkway Food Hall
Parkway Food Hall is one of the newest patios on the Front Range, opening in May 2024. The patio seats up to 150 and diners can bring food from all eight concepts – from Japanese street food to shawarma to Indian – out there, along with drinks from the bars, such as a Pear Spritz. While parents are out enjoying a drink, kids can enjoy the massive arcade room indoors
Colorado’s adage “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes” is good news for the area’s patio lovers.