11 of the best rooftop patios in Denver and Boulder

Here comes the sun, and here comes Denver’s patio season.

In the spring, there’s no better way to embrace the Mile High City’s mountain views and 300 days of sunshine than from the top of a luxury downtown hotel, a two-story restaurant on South Pearl Street, or a food hall in Denver and Boulder.

Here are 11 rooftop restaurants and patios to get you closer to the sun (with a protective layer of sunscreen, of course):

El Patio

El Patio debuted its rooftop bar in early April for the start of the Colorado Rockies season. The Mexican party bar took over El Tejano’s former space and features mezcal-focused cocktails. Owner Josh Schmitz said the large patio with views of Coors Field, the Front Range and downtown is decorated like “an Instagram dream” with lots of colors and floral arrangements with inspiration from Tulum, Mexico.

1949 Market St., Denver; Open 4 p.m. to midnight during the week and from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. on the weekends; instagram.com/el_patio_denver

54thirty Rooftop

Denver’s highest rooftop bar, and one of the most iconic, is named after the height of its altitude: 5,430 feet above sea level. Located 20 floors up at Le Méridien hotel, 54thirty is not only serving mountain and city views but also cheeky cocktails like a Japanese highball and #thatviewthough (Tito’s vodka, chamomile tea syrup, lemon and Princess Yum Yum raspberry kolsch).

1475 California St., Denver; Mon.-Thurs. 3-11 p.m., Fri. 3 p.m.-12 a.m., Sat. 1 p.m.-12 a.m., Sun. 1-10 p.m.; 54thirty.com

Briar Common Brewery + Eatery

Sip on one of Briar Common’s frothy beers while overlooking Jefferson Park on the brewery’s rooftop patio in LoHi. The sunny vantage point is a perfect spot to take a long lunch — digging into the brewery’s spicy chicken sandwich or crispy Brussels sprouts — when it’s not being utilized for its frequent events, like yoga or paint-and-sip nights.

2298 Clay St., Denver; Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; briarcommon.com

Jack’s on Pearl

The two levels at Jack’s on Pearl have completely different ambiences. On the first floor, the restaurant offers white tablecloth dining. Upstairs, the large rooftop patio has a more casual setting with dishes like prime steak tacos, a wagyu French dip and cast-iron filets. But wherever you are, you’ll still be able to enjoy 12 local draft beers on tap, creative cocktails and a robust wine list.

1475 S. Pearl St., Denver; Tues.-Thurs. 4-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 4-10 p.m., Sun. 4-8 p.m., closed on Mondays; jacksonpearldenver.com

McDevitt Taco Supply

Tacos and rooftop patios should be synonymous. Last year, McDevitt Taco Supply opened a new space on the top of the Vib Hotel in RiNo. The eighth-floor rooftop patio with both Front Range and city views serves a full menu of classic tacos with an American twist, margaritas, salads, wings, sandwiches and more to spice up your happy hour.

3560 Brighton Blvd., Denver; Mon.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; mcdevitttacosupply.com/vib-denver

BurnDown

One of Denver’s best rooftop patios hasn’t even opened yet. BurnDown, opening May 20 on South Broadway, is three floors with a horseshoe-shaped bar on the first floor, a large cafe on the second floor that transforms into a full-service bar at night, plus an expansive rooftop with another bar, courtyard, sundeck and stage for live music. The new bar is named after a fire in 1978 that destroyed much of the building’s interior, leaving a hole in the center that has been incorporated into the design as a three-story atrium.

476 S. Broadway, Denver; Tues.- Sun. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., closed on Mondays; burndowndenver.com

American Bonded

Kick off your RiNo bar crawl this summer at American Bonded’s rooftop patio, the perfect spot for people- and sunset-watching on Larimer Street. Pouring With Heart, a bar hospitality group focused on preserving bars, took ownership of the popular neighborhood bar earlier this year, refreshing the space while maintaining its relaxed urban design and incredible roof. Try some of the bar’s new cocktails, like a Red Hook Manhattan or Boulevardier Negroni, as well as burgers and tenders from Blake Blacksberg of Denver’s Soi Kowboi.

2706 Larimer St., Denver; Open daily from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; americanbonded.com

Avanti

Both of Avanti’s locations in Denver and Boulder were designed with mountain views in mind, and the food halls’ rooftop patios are sure to impress any out-of-town guest. A variety of restaurant vendors at each location has something for even the pickiest of eaters. Complimentary valet at the Denver location gives you no excuse not to take the turn off Interstate 25 into this LoHi jewel.

3200 Pecos St., Denver; Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Thurs. 11-12 a.m.., Fri.-Sat. 11-1 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; 1401 Pearl St., Boulder; Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 11-1 a.m.; avantifandb.com

Corrida

This fourth-floor Spanish restaurant in the former Daily Camera newspaper building opens onto a rooftop with dining tables and lounge seating, all with panoramic views of the Flatirons. Cozy up in the wintertime in an Alpenglobe or grab a fireside seat to enjoy the sunset while the gin and tonic cart makes its way around the restaurant.

1023 Walnut St., Boulder; Mon.-Thurs. 3-9 p.m., Fri. 3-10 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; corridaboulder.com 

The Red Barber

Take the elevator straight up to The Red Barber rooftop of the CatBird Hotel on Denver’s Walnut Street, and prepare to be impressed. The expansive rooftop bar and lounge have 180-degree views of RiNo and the mountains from Pikes Peak to the Flatirons. It’s perfect for big groups, serving fun cocktails based on your Zodiac sign, and bar snacks, including vegan nachos, chilled shrimp lettuce cups or a variety of skewers to share.

3770 Walnut St., Denver; Wed.-Thurs. 4-10 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m.- 12 a.m., Sun. 2-9 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday; theredbarber.com

Izakaya Den