Food and booze are just as much a part of the baseball experience as the on-field action. How often do you get to eat a giant hot dog dripping with melted cheese and chili? And there’s nothing better to catch a foul ball than a frosty cup of beer.
But eating inside the stadium can be pricey … and limited. Not everyone wants a classic burger and dog. Maybe you want to sit down and enjoy a French dip in peace without worrying about a drunk fan next to you. Maybe you really have a hankering for sushi; safe to say that’s not exactly a ballpark delicacy.
Luckily for Colorado Rockies fans, Lower Downtown is packed with places to pre-game, with elevated food options like shishito poppers that you can wash down with creative cocktails. In some cases, you can even stop in to re-fuel after a big win … or eat your feelings away after a loss.
Here are some of your options:
Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox is loud, but you’re about to go to a baseball game, so what do you care? The food and drinks at this Edible Beats (Root Down, Linger, El Five) bar/restaurant/live music venue (we told you it got loud) are all solid, and the shishito poppers with cheese curds is pretty much required ordering. Because there’s always something interesting going on at this bi-level spot, it’s almost guaranteed to be open late. 1215 20th St., 303-993-8023; ; Mon.-Fri. 4 p.m.-close, Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-close
Cherry Cricket is your best (read “only”) bet for 2 a.m. mac and cheese bites, pretzel knots and half-pound burgers. The Cherry Creek staple opened a Ballpark outpost last spring, and it’s big enough to get lost in, from the giant fish tank at the entrance to the full-on arcade room in the back. Stay focused and head to the bar or the separate to-go counter for a quick bite. 2220 Blake St., 303-297-3644; Sun.-Thurs.11 a.m.-2:30 a.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 a.m.
Pony Up is really diversifying Denver’s baseball culture with its new menu of French dips. One of the recent additions to the neighborhood, this bar makes five different dips, plus some seasonal sandwich specials. Order the “Frenchie” with roast beef, gruyere, onion crisps and French onion soup dip, pair it with a brown butter old fashioned and you might be napping by the time the game starts. 1808 Blake St.; daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Finally, someone with the brains to put mac and cheese on top of a pizza. Just across the street from Coors Field is Ian’s Pizza, a Wisconsin-based chain known for its signature mac ‘n’ cheese pie. But it doesn’t stop there with the creativity. Oh, no. (There’s no “off” position on the genius switch.) Ian’s also has penne marinara, taco and green chile cornbread pizzas, just to name a few of the crazy combinations. 2210 Blake St., 303-296-9000; ; Sun.-Thurs. 11-2:30 a.m., Fri.-Sat. 11-3 a.m.
For reasonably priced sushi rolls and sashimi, which get even more reasonably priced during the weekend-long happy hour, check out iFish+Ramen. If you’re not into raw fish, the four ramen bowls and cooked Asian dishes (think sesame chicken and bulgogi beef) give you plenty of options. 2200 Market St., 303-708-1255; ; Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-9:15 p.m., Sun.-Sat. 2-9:30 p.m.
For cheap eats that taste way better than they should for $3.50 apiece, Lazo Empanadas brings little pockets of Argentinian love to the Ballpark neighborhood. Plus, since they’re hand-held, you can eat them while you walk over to the stadium if you’re running late. 1319 22nd St., 303-296-6710; ; Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs has a cart inside Coors Field, but if you’re looking for a table at which to enjoy your cream cheese-caulked, Coca Cola-soaked, onions-topped reindeer dog, then head over to the brick-and-mortar outpost of Jim Pittenger’s sausage spot. Biker Jim is probably one of Denver’s best-known food personalities, having appeared on just about every food show known to man. And for good reason: His dogs are perfect baseball food. 2148 Larimer St., 720-746-9355; ; Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-3 a.m.
For Neapolitan-style pizza, Marco’s Coal-Fired Pizzeria is hard to beat. If you’re playing hooky for a day game, be sure to check out the weekday lunch special, where $9 gets you a margherita pizza, salad and a drink. 2129 Larimer St., 303-296-7000; ; Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Lest you think we’re all about the more gourmet restaurants, we couldn’t put out a Coors Field eating and drinking guide without mentioning Jackson’s Denver. The sports bar directly across from the stadium is known for its beer, burgers and rooftop patio. What more could you need? 1520 20th St., 303-298-7625; ; Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-post-game, Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Mexico City Restaurant & Lounge is the home of fried tacos, and if you’ve never tried its fried tacos, then make that No. 1 on your spring/summer to-eat list. Single tacos go for about $3 and come with chicken, steak or beef. (Get the steak; it comes with avocado.) If fried tacos aren’t your bag, this long-time restaurant — it’s been around since 1967! — has a full menu of everything you’d expect from a Mexican restaurant that’s lasted 50-plus years. 2115 Larimer St., 303-296-0563; ; Tues.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., closed Mondays
Milk Market at the Dairy Block combines 16 food and drink vendors (from one chef!) in one conveniently located market hall by Coors Field. Choose from spicy fried chicken, New York-style pizza, gelato, crepes and, of course, beer, cocktails and wine. Maybe just not all at once. Or maybe all at once, because you’re a champion and we believe in you. 1800 Wazee St.; hours vary by vendor, with the majority closing between 10 p.m. and midnight
Also at Dairy Block is Poka Lola Social Club, a super-stylish cocktail bar, and Kachina Cantina, a Southwestern restaurant with fry bread tacos, stacked, Christmas-style enchiladas and New Mexican green chile. Both are on the classy side for a ballgame, but you need a little adventure in your life. 1850 Wazee St., 720-460-2725; ; Tues.-Thurs. 4 p.m.-midnight, Fri.-Sat. 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; 1890 Wazee St., 720-460-2728; ; Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-close, Sat.-Sun.10 a.m.-close
If you’re looking for more of a party scene before first pitch or something that goes late after the game, here are a few more to check out:
Tavern Downtown 1949 Market St., 303-299-0100;
ViewHouse Ballpark 2015 Market St., 720-878-2015;
The Ginn Mill 2041 Larimer St., 303-295-0706;
Sports Column 1930 Blake St., 303-296-1930;
Lodo’s Bar & Grill 1946 Market St., 303-293-8555;