Lounging dockside, listening to snapping sails and lapping waves, soaking up the afternoon sun’s warmth with a cool drink in hand. What a quintessential way to celebrate summer, even in landlocked Colorado.
Thanks to a handful of marinas at the state’s reservoirs and lakes, you can toast both mountains and water throughout the next six weeks or so.
At Pug Ryan’s Tiki Bar & Grill in Dillon, the staff keeps an eye on revelers who’ve consumed more than two Rumrunners, the frozen house special that includes banana liqueur, blackberry brandy and a healthy slug of rum. Meanwhile patrons can enjoy the novelty of witnessing the nautical goings-on.
“You sit here and hear people talk about sailing, hear the clanging of the rigging on the boats, watch bald eagles and osprey catching fish right by the dock,” said Travis Holton, president of the Lakeside Tiki Bar & Grill, for 16 years a favorite among Summit County locals.
“We’ve even watched people fall into the water,” said Holton. “It’s a hoot.”
Five beachside options for summertime sipping:
Cherry Creek Marina & Yacht Club
5-10 p.m. Wednesdays only, through September.
Happy Hour: 5-6 p.m. when open.
4800 S. Dayton St. (inside ), Aurora
Park entrance fee: $8
303-699-2501, The 25,000-square-foot patio seats 100.
On tap: Three beers from Aurora’s Dry Dock Brewery plus imported and domestic beer and a full bar. handles the food.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, through Labor Day.
Happy Hour: Nope.
11500 N. Roxborough Park Road (inside ), Littleton
Park entrance fee: $8
303-791-5555,
Indoor and outdoor seating at Seagull’s restaurant, though only four tables offer umbrellas. Casual dining and a full bar.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 31.
Happy Hour: Nope.
4011 N. County Road 31, Loveland
970-667-1062,
The small deck seats 20. No bar per se, but order a 3.2 beer at the marina store, and a staffer will bring it out. The food is limited to whatever’s on the store shelves, and the marina owner won’t allow people to bring coolers on the premises.
11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, through Labor Day
Happy Hour: 4-7 p.m. daily.
900 E. Main St., Frisco
970-668-9999,
Lots of outdoor seating, and patrons spill onto the adjacent grounds, especially during concerts. Depending on Dillon Reservoir’s water level, the boats may be up to a half-mile away. The menu includes blackened fish tacos with wasabi aioli. Drink specialties include the signature Island Sunset and a high-octane, private-recipe mai tai limited to two per customer.
11:30 a.m.-sunset daily (weather permitting), through September.
Happy Hour: 4-6 p.m daily.
150 Marina Drive, Dillon
970-468-5100,
The Tiki Bar seats between 120 and 130 thanks to a second tent added this year, along with a commercial kitchen trailer that’s expanded the formerly limited menu. New offerings include some fresh local options in addition to salads, Thai shrimp, mahi-mahi and a substantial cheese steak.
Claire Martin: 303-954-1477, cmartin@denverpost.com or twitter.com/byclairemartin
Life’s a beach bar
Some tips to bear in mind while trying out these beach bars:
Claire Martin
