14 MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Bloody Mary bar; on the main menu, you’ll fi nd elevated, equally delicious pub fare. THE TOP 10 BEER GARDENS By Antony Bruno Maybe the only thing better than enjoying a cold, Colorado-brewed craft beer is enjoying it at one of the many outdoor beer gardens in metro Denver. Is that because of the open air and greenery, the shared tables and com- munal atmosphere, or just the thrill of being alive in Colorado on a sunny day? Whatever the reason for their appeal, Denver’s beer gardens deserve their own list, separate from the rooftops and pa- tios that also contribute to our outdoor drinking culture. Here are some of our favorites today: Denver Beer Co (multiple locations) With fi ve locations around the city, Denver Beer Company is a beer-garden behemoth. Its fl agship on Platte Street features mas- sive communal tables under string lights in the heart of the city. The Olde Town Ar- vada space, meanwhile, offers fi re pits and live music. South Downing is more family- friendly, with a kids’ play area and laid-back vibe, while both the Lowry and Littleton patios are expansive outposts perfect for getting away from the crowds. Edgewater Beer Garden 2508 Gray St., Edgewater Because it sits slightly outside Denver’s busiest nightlife corridors, Edgewater Beer Garden feels less hectic than many downtown patios while still delivering a lively social atmosphere. Just blocks from the water, the 4,500-square-foot outdoor patio offers a spacious, open-air hangout for gathering over beers and burgers during long summer evenings. The former 1940s fi re station has also become a com- munity hub, serving as a popular meetup spot for both beer and non-beer- focused social clubs and groups. Joyride Brewing Company 2501 Sheridan Blvd., Edge- water Located directly across from Sloan’s Lake in Edge- water, Joyride’s upstairs patio delivers sweeping views of the water, down- town and Front Range all at the same time. Add 16 taps and enough room for 150 people to gather, and you’ve got yourself a quintessentially Colo- rado venue great for enter- taining local friends and out-of-towners alike. And since it’s within walking distance of several parks, trails and res- taurants, this is an ideal place to start (or end) your day. Lowry Beer Garden 7577 E. Academy Blvd. Dozens of long picnic tables line up be- hind this family-friendly beer garden, evoking images of Viking mead halls of old (except outside in the sun). Given its neighborhood setting in the redeveloped Air Force base (it sits behind an old airport hangar), Lowry Beer Garden might be the most family-friendly beer garden on the list, providing a well-needed respite for parents in need of a draft. As a result, it feels more like a local hangout than a tourist/visitor destination, despite the Art & Space Museum nearby. New Terrain Brewing 16401 Table Mountain Parkway, Golden Golden is a prime location for beer-garden buffs. Surrounded by hiking and biking trails, a bike park and a dog park — not to mention North Table Mountain — New Terain almost makes the beer seem like an afterthought. But just almost. Large communal tables and an expansive outdoor seating area are the foundation for the space, which also hosts food trucks and live music. On any given day, you’ll rub elbows with college students from the nearby School of Mines, families out for a stroll, hikers and much more. It doesn’t get more Colorado than this. Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake 1625 Perry St. Odell Brewing’s Sloan’s Lake outpost elevates the traditional brewery pa- tio to a hop-fueled retreat. With stunning views of both mountains and Den- ver’s skyline (not to men- tion… Sloan’s Lake), guests can enjoy their choice of pints from the Odell lineup brewed just under their feet in the brewery below. And if that wasn’t enough to per- suade you to settle in, the kitchen’s pizza and snack menu encourages linger- ing for hours. Even when Odell’s is crowded, it feels accessible and welcoming. Recess Beer Garden 2715 17th St. LoHi’s Recess Beer Garden brings a notably energetic, social-party atmosphere to Denver’s beer-garden scene. The sprawling out- door space is packed with picnic tables, yard games and large groups nearly every sunny weekend. The crowd leans younger and livelier, giving the place an approachable, all-day hangout vibe. Overall, it feels less like a traditional Colorado brewery and more like a big backyard party, complete with sandwiches, snacks and a vast menu of easy-drinking staples. RiNo Beer Garden 3800 Walnut St. Is this the largest patio in Denver? The owners seem to think so. Taking over a signifi cant swath of the neighborhood’s industrial-artsy district, RiNo Beer Gar- den is definitely not small. Its massive indoor-outdoor layout was built for group gatherings, combining sports-bar energy with beer-hall aesthetics, large communal seating areas, multiple bars and an expan- sive patio that stays busy year-round. The location makes it a convenient stop during food crawls or mural walks, and the brunch service draws the crowd early. Schoolyard Beer Garden 1115 Acoma St. School may be out for the summer, but classes are defi nitely in session at the School- yard Beer Garden. Housed in the historic, 120-year-old Evans School, Schoolyard’s massive, 5,000 square-foot outdoor space features picnic tables, fi re pits, and plenty of room for dogs and large groups. Since open- ing last April, Schoolyard has quickly become one of the city’s newest warm-weather hang- outs. It deftly balances neighborhood-patio and destination-gathering-spot vibes. And it’s within striking distance of Denver’s top museums, sports venues and downtown. Tap Fourteen 1920 Blake St. For rooftop drinking with a downtown back- drop, Tap Fourteen remains one of Denver’s strongest beer-garden options. It’s located close enough to Coors Field to catch the fi re- works, and high enough to provide panoramic skyline views. The sprawling space wraps around the building, creating a distinctly urban Sunset at RiNo Beer Garden. DANIELLE LIRETTE Cafe continued from page 13 The Golden landscape is as big a draw to New Terrain Brewing as the beer. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
