Working from home does have its perks. The lack of central air conditioning in mid-July, however, is not one of them. And the nearly frigid temperatures of some indoor hangouts can be shocking when you’re acclimated to the heat. So lately it has been all about finding a happy medium in the form of a great patio. Plenty of spots have outdoor seating, but this is the time to seek the standouts.
A chill runs through it
Cool River Café (8000 E. Belleview Ave., 303-771-4117 ) keeps the drinks chilled and convenient each Friday evening with the Ice Bar. Ice sculptures decorate the patio and double as coolers, with bottles tucked into the designs to keep cocktail makings properly chilled.
The DTC crowd settles in after work for $2 happy hour drinks like the Pink Panther, a patio-perfect combination of strawberry Stoli, pink lemonade and grenadine.
It’s all about the view
If you’re after a great view, hit Vinyl’s (1082 Broadway, 303-860-8469 ) rooftop patio for a scenic vista that stretches from downtown Denver to the mountains. Weeknights are the best time to appreciate the stellar scenery; weekend partiers can get thick enough to crowd out both the breeze and the view.
Hit it Tuesdays for drink specials and a laid-back atmosphere on ladies night, Thursdays for an island vibe with Reggae on the Roof, or stake out a prime spot early on Fridays during the Sunset Lounge happy hour.
You can skip the cover charge and grab a beer-and-a-burger at Lodo’s Bar and Grill (1946 Market St. 303-293-8555 ) downtown, another rooftop room with a view. Downstairs it’s your basic sports bar, but the roof is a great city beer garden. Wait for the sun to set or this can be a literal hot spot, but the view of Lodo and Coor’s Field doesn’t get much better.
Hours of happiness
The Funky Buddha Lounge (776 Lincoln St, 303-832-5075 ) scores points for its lengthy 4-to-8 p.m. happy hour in the open air Ginger Lounge, with daily specials ranging from $2 drafts and wells on Monday nights to $3 and $4 martini specials and $5 appetizers during the week.
Patio-loving penny pinchers love Govn’rs Park (672 Logan St. 303-831-8605 ), where the beer, margs, and Long Island iced tea is served in tall two-for-one glasses 4-7 p.m. on weeknights and the Capitol Hill crowd is never quiet.
Laid-back in the shade
For a shady escape without the boisterous masses, hit a neighborhood spot like the back patio at Café Cero (1446 S. Broadway, 303-282-1446 ). Tucked away among antiques shops on South Broadway, it seems to be a well-kept secret among the Washington Park and DU residents who frequent the place, but the casual backyard ambiance and friendly staff make it well worth finding.
Another hidden gem is the back patio at Uptown Tavern (538 E. 17th Ave, 303-830-9210) which comes complete with shade trees, a tiny garden and a long, full service outdoor bar.
Rockin’ Sundays
There aren’t too many places to go rock out on a Sunday afternoon, but the Larimer Lounge (2721 Larimer St. 303-291-1007 ) has been serving up local bands and barbecue on the back patio all summer.
The food is basic burgers and brats, but the beer is cheap, and the scene is all about ending the weekend with friends. The barbecues usually start up at 1 p.m.; this Sunday catch Meniskus, 30 Silver and The Start Ups in the afternoon for a mere $5 before the Warped Tour after-party takes over the place for the evening, with Planes Mistaken for Stars and Eugene Hutz (of Gogol Bordello) keeping the party going.
Kat Valentine writes about nightlife Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-820-1568.
