13 MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | CONTENTS | LETTERS | NEWS | NIGHT+DAY | CULTURE | CAFE | MUSIC | burger, Bloody Marys and mimosas to the mix, making it dangerously easy to lose track of time. La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal 2233 Larimer St. La Diabla has built a cult following with its traditional Mexican fare, from bowls of pozole to its pambazo sandwich. When the weather warms up, though, the real move is grabbing a seat out back in the restaurant’s open-air courtyard, which is perfect for chowing down on tacos and sipping on some mezcal and margaritas. Outside is decorated with sheep skulls and hanging dried agave leaves, a nod to chef Jose Avila’s weekend barbacoa concept, El Borrego Negro, which serves meats cooked in an underground pit alongside rotating fl avors of pulque, a lightly fer- mented agave drink dating back to pre- Hispanic Mexico. Hops & Pie 3920 Tennyson St. With a covered patio lined with wooden picnic tables and some of the best pizza in town, Hops & Pie is the kind of place where “just one beer” can easily turn into an all-day hang. The Berkeley establishment keeps the crowd fueled with slices, classic pies, Detroit- style pizzas, sandwiches piled with house- smoked meats, salads and rotating seasonal specials. Pair it all with a rotating list of more than 25 craft beers, classic cocktails (which are half-off during the weekday happy hour), or a selection from the wine roster. Illegal Pete’s at Gold’s 10009 W. 26th Ave., Wheat Ridge Perched at the edge of Gold’s Marketplace in Wheat Ridge, this Illegal Pete’s location boasts one of the more unexpectedly sce- nic patios in the metro area, overlooking the western edge of Crown Hill Park with mountain views in the distance. Grab a seat outside with a burrito, chips and queso, or tacos, then settle in while the sun starts to dip over the foothills with one of the chain’s famously strong margaritas – which are $1 off for house margs and $4 off for party margs during the daily happy hour. Homegrown Tap & Dough 1001 S. Gaylord St. Just steps from Wash Park, this rustic-chic pizzeria’s patio spills onto the sidewalk along South Gaylord Street, making it prime terri- tory for people-watching while sipping on something cold. The restaurant leans heavily into its Colorado roots, from locally sourced ingredients and regional craft beers to Ital- ian-inspired dishes with a mountain-town twist. Expect hand-tossed pizzas, pastas, salads and small plates, alongside cocktails practically built for patio season, like the Venetian Spritz – made with Aperol, San Pellegrino blood orange soda and sparkling wine. Chilled white wines and creative non- alcoholic options are also strong contenders for a sunny afternoon. The Farm House at Breckenridge Brewery 2990 Brewery Lane, Littleton Just south of Denver along the Platte River trail, the Breckenridge Brewery Farm House is the perfect place to grab a beer after a long bike ride or a strenuous hike. The mas- sive campus feels like a full-on adult play- ground with a beer hall, brewery tours and an enormous outdoor space featuring fi re pits, a walk-up outdoor bar, lawn games and a large stage that regularly hosts concerts and events. Grab a seat on the back porch overlooking the foothills or spread out in the beer garden while working your way through pints of fresh craft beer and elevated pub fare. Improper City 3201 Walnut St. Improper City has one of the most epic patios in Denver, hands down. The sprawling RiNo hangout is packed with fi re pits, colorful graffi ti-covered walls, rotating food trucks, and plenty of tables and seating. Spend the morning catching up on work over coffee inside, then reward yourself with a beer or a seasonal spritz on the deck after you slam your laptop shut. Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday and all day Sunday, giving you an even better excuse to grab a drink after all that hard work. The turf-covered outdoor space is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends, too. Playing: Get your game on with your drink on. By Abigail Bliss Moodswing 3625 East 48th Ave. Named this year’s best pickleball venue, Moodswing recently debuted in the Elyria Swansea neighborhood and has quickly become a popular third space. Along with six indoor and six outdoor courts, the venue serves up the city’s largest patio (complete with mountain views), ample co-working space and dining concepts with all-day op- tions. Brick oven-fi red pizzas anchor the menu, which spotlights fl avorful combos like chimichurri and fennel salami, as well as charred pineapple and crispy pepperoni. Shareables like burrata toasts and marinara meatballs round out the selection. Food and drinks can be delivered courtside, ensuring players don’t miss a moment of action. Number Thirty Eight 3560 Chestnut Pl. There are a number of reasons to love Num- ber Thirty Eight. This RiNo venue offers free live music almost every night, as well as more than 100 local brews on tap, a mouthwater- ing food menu and, of course, one of the best patios in the city. There’s a massive screen for catching the game along with cornhole boards, but its two full-size sand volleyball courts are what make this a standout choice. Bump, set and spike your way to making new friends, and refuel with from a selection of regionally-inspired handhelds, like the New Mexico taco chopped cheese and the juicy Illinois char cheddar burger. FlyteCo Tower 3120 Uinta St. Set inside the former Stapleton Airport control tower, this expansive entertain- ment venue has taken off since opening in Central Park four years ago. There’s some- thing for everyone, with bowling lanes, ping pong tables, golf simulators, axe-throwing and more. While most activities are paid and require reserva- tions, outdoor putt-putt is always open to walk-in patio guests — and even free every Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. (plan to show that you follow the business on Instagram). Score a hole in one, then savor a menu of burgers, pizza and more pub fa- vorites that pair perfectly with house-brewed beers. Pindustry 7939 E. Arapahoe Rd., Greenwood Village Head to this eatertain- ment venue’s rooftop to discover beachy vibes at 5,685 feet above sea level. Pindustry’s new pop-up concept, Bar Tropical, features palm trees, vibrant decor and an island-inspired menu. Sip on frozen piña coladas or signature cock- tails served in ceramic glasses shaped like coconuts and tipsy toucans. Food options in- clude sweet chili shrimp, Hawaiian pizza and a selection of tacos, plus a roving Mexican ice cream cart. Visit during the weekday happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. for dining discounts, as well as half-off bowling and games like pinball, billiards, shuffl eboard and more. Ace Eat Serve 501 E. 17th Ave. For more than a decade, ping pong duels have gone down at this high-energy favorite. Reserve a table in the indoor hall or out on the trendy patio; bookings with a high top guarantee full courtside service. Between rounds, guests can enjoy house cocktails alongside a selection of Pan-Asian plates such as blistered shishitos with lime aioli, sweet-and-spicy tiger wings, mapo pork soup dumplings and more. Ace Eat Serve recently expanded its menu and hours with the launch of a coffeeshop concept, allowing guests to pick up their paddles day and night. Wonderland Brewing Co. 5450 West 120th Ave., Broomfi eld Over the years, this Broomfi eld brewery has made full use of its massive 3.6-acre campus, expanding to include fi ve unique patios, an outdoor stage, pickleball and basketball courts, a pinball arcade and one of the metro area’s best mini golf courses. Putt through eighteen holes, navigating around barrels and giant iron sculptures between rounds of beer. There’s an equal number of small-batch options on tap, including Wonderland’s award-winning Kentucky common and a rotating selection. Pair a pint or two with a signature smashburger, thick-cut fries, saucy chicken wings and more classic pub grub. Rook 3770 Walnut St. Admire skyline views from the Catbird Hotel rooftop, which saw a game-centric rebrand last summer. Now known as Rook, this buzzy bar offers outdoor pool tables and a library of board games. Trap your opponent’s king in checkmate, throw down a wild card while playing Uno or beat the bartender in a round of Yahtzee to earn a free shot on Thursday nights. The cocktail menu puts an irreverent spin on classics, with colorful margaritas mixed with Kool-Aid and ranch water featur- ing Hidden Valley-infused tequila (you read that right). Gooey grilled cheese sandwiches and walking tacos match the casual vibe. ViewHouse 7101 South Clinton St., Centennial Among all this homegrown chain’s locations, the Centennial ViewHouse’s courtyard and rooftop can’t be beat. Views of the Front Range are expansive and especially stunning during summer sunsets. Guests turn their at- tention to dozens of screens on exciting game days, and live music is a regular occurrence. Make new friends while playing classic backyard games or tossing bags onto numer- ous sets of cornhole boards. ViewHouse is often packed during its indulgent Sunday brunch buffet, complete with mimosa towers and a build-your-own There’s no wrong way to celebrate at Improper City COURTESY IMPROPER CIT Y FACEBOOK continued on page 14
