The Denver Broncos take on the Buffalo Bills on Saturday at Empower Field at Mile High, but the majority of Broncos and Bills fans will be watching the game either from the comfort of their own couches or at a nearby bar or sports bar.
Denver has plenty of Bills fans — and they have their own bars where they gather — but the orange-and-blue faithful will be rooting for the Broncos to eat Buffalo’s lunch. What better way to do that than by eating Buffalo FOR lunch? Here are five bars in Denver that serve great wings and also offer a low-key atmosphere for a great day of football watching.
The Fainting Goat Pub
The Goat loves Buffalo sauce, which is why you’ll find Buffalo chicken wraps, Buffalo chicken flat breads, Buffalo mac n’ cheese and even a Buffalo chicken eggroll on the menu. But it’s the solid, crushable baskets of wings that this friendly spot has been serving for going on 20 years that will have you cheering out loud. Eat up in the main floor bar space or out on the rooftop patio (complete with its own bar and view), and enjoy the game on TV.
846 Broadway;
The Piper Inn
The Piper Inn is many things to many people: a biker hangout, a Chinese food restaurant, a sports bar, a lively spot for families or friends to meet and eat. The common denominator between them all is its old-school feel and its much-loved wings. Dive into a plate of them — classic Buffalo, garlic dry-rub and Chinese-style (made with oyster sauce) — and into some spirited Broncos nostalgia.
2251 S. Parker Road, Denver;
Rocky Top Tavern
TVs, pool tables, and a neighborhood feel come together in perfect harmony at this friendly dive in the Regis neighborhood, just north of Interstate 70. And the spicy, meaty wings? Let’s just say that even a Bills fan might give them some grudging respect. You’ll leave full — and hopefully happy with a Broncos win.
4907 Lowell Blvd., Denver;
Walter’s 303 Pizzeria & Publik House
It’s hard to go wrong at Walter’s 303, where the pizzas run the gamut, the craft beer selection is expansive and wings are baked — rather than fried — to perfection. Easygoing, likeable and consistent, Walter’s now has four cheerful, sports-friendly locations, three in Denver and one in Littleton. Its newest is the surprisingly large spot that opened last July.
300 Santa Fe Drive, and three other locations;
The Campus Lounge
The Campus Lounge is like your favorite chair. You know you spend too much time sitting there, but it sure does feel good to take a load off. Located in Washington Park, the 50-year-old sports bar is a bit of a relic to a decade or two ago in Denver — for better or for worse — when there were sticky neighborhood watering holes all over the place, when wings were cheap and beer choices were limited to Coors Light and Avalanche Ale. The wings aren’t that cheap anymore (and there are a few more beers on tap), but everything else is about the same — something that neighbors probably appreciate.
701 S. University Blvd.;
