22 W E S T W O R D S u m m e r G u i d e 2 0 2 5 westword.com In the Heights THE FIVE BEST ROOFTOP BARS IN DENVER. BY M O L LY M A RT I N Whether the weather is sunny, cloudy or cool, Coloradans love be- ing outdoors — maybe even more than we love going out for a good cocktail or craft beer. But why pick just one activity when you can do it all at once? Many bars and restaurants have patios we love, but some spots take al fresco to a whole new level. If you’re looking for a spot with killer views where you can imbibe, here are the fi ve rooftop bars to visit right now in metro Denver: 54thirty 1475 California Street 303-893-1888 Located on the twentieth fl oor of Le Méri- dien Hotel, this spot has been the highest open-air bar in the city since it debuted in late 2017. With views of the city and a Rocky Mountain backdrop, it’s an upscale spot that often draws a crowd but operates on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis, so you need some luck (or patience) to snag a spot. Once you’re in, enjoy craft cocktails, small bites and swanky vibes. BurnDown 476 South Broadway 720-899-3827 In 1978, a fi re left a gaping hole in a building on South Broadway that later held a fur- niture store and a year-round Christmas shop. In 2023, that building was trans- formed into BurnDown, a multi-level bar and restaurant with an atrium that stretches from an expansive fi rst-fl oor dining room through a second-floor lounge, where a small acoustic stage is located, to a third indoor/outdoor level. That’s where you’ll fi nd the rooftop deck from which you can see the entire Front Range, including Pikes Peak to the south. There’s a clear view of downtown, too — you can even catch a glimpse of the gleaming gold on top of the Capitol. A stunner for sunsets, it’s also a prime place to view Fourth of July fi reworks. The Golden Mill 1012 Ford Street, Golden 720-405-6455 This historic mill-turned-food-hall opened in 2021 and has quickly become a destination for anyone looking to head (a little) west for some fun in Golden, where Clear Creek’s cold waters beckon tubers in the summer months. The expansive rooftop has a view of Coors Brewery and another big bonus: some of the best sushi in the state, at chef Jesus Silva’s Sushi Sora. Fill a glass at the pour-your-own-beer wall downstairs, then settle in for an afternoon of sunny sipping and noshing. Palenque Cocina y Agaveria 2609 West Main Street, Littleton 720-245-0195 Downtown Littleton often gets overlooked by those who live closer to the city, but it’s home to a number of rooftop patios where you can enjoy the slower pace of a town- turned-suburb that happens to be packed with locally owned gems. Exhibit A: mezcal mecca Palenque, which originally opened in 2018 as a second location of Adelitas but took the Palenque name after former co-owners Silvia Andaya (who still runs the original on Broadway) and Brian Rossi cut ties in 2020. Five years into its new iteration, there’s no better place south of the city to learn about — and sip plenty of — a well-curated selection of agave spirits and cocktails than the upper level of this Main Street eatery. Pindustry 7939 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village 720-712-7467 For years, not much changed on Arapahoe Road near the Denver Tech Center, but a big push to revitalize the area kicked off in 2021 with the opening of Pindustry, the fi rst major addition to what’s now called the Arapahoe Entertainment District. The two-story restaurant complex can hold up to 2,300 people, and besides the bowling and arcade games on the main fl oor, the biggest draw is the 16,000-square-foot Sky Deck with Rocky Mountain views, its own bar, and activities like giant chess and cornhole. Game on! And a bonus: Stellar Jay The Populus, 240 14th Street 303-256-6381 If you like feeling like you’re on top of the world — and all the peons drinking on the ground level — this popular spot in the Pop- ulus hotel is for you. You’ll need to check in at the host stand just to go up in the elevator to the top fl oor, but once you arrive, you’ll be stunned by the views of Civic Center and downtown. And if those don’t bowl you over, the tab will. But some experiences are priceless. BurnDown’s rooftop has one of the best views in the city. BURNDOWN/INSTAGRAM
