Where the Action Is: Mezcal

The night before the first Colfax Marathon in May 2006, we decided that we needed to go the distance ourselves — with some marathon drinking. And where better to show our support for the runners than from Mezcal’s patio, a sliver of sectioned-off sidewalk in the heart of the Bluebird…

Justin’s Sweet Tea

Sweeter than honey, Zio Romolo’s Alley Bar is an absolute beehive of activity. Named after Tony Pasquini’s favorite uncle, it’s tucked beside the Pasquini’s location in Highland and is surprisingly comfortable, particularly considering this spot was once a working alleyway. The small space features a tin ceiling, an original Coca-Cola…

Red Mountain Grill

Even with mud season well under way in Summit County, the small smoking patio in front of Red Mountain Grill (703 East Anemone Trail in Dillon) still sports a snow shovel and other all-weather tools. Through scratched sunglass lenses, I squint at this peculiarity in the early evening sun, run…

Get Sauced: Maggiano’s Little Italy

We love the patio outside Maggiano’s in the Denver Pavilions, where the people-watching is almost as delicious as the happy-hour deals from 3-5:30 p.m. weekdays, including calamari fritte ($1.95), spaghetti & mini meatballs ($2.95) and chicken saltimbocca ($3.95). And both this location and Maggiano’s DTC are offering lighter, seasonal summer…

Ital Do: Venice Ristorante & Winebar

LoDo can sure get hectic when the Rockies are in town, but Venice Ristorante & Winebar not only has a nice patio where you can chill out, it serves gourmet grub and offers valet parking for just $6 — a deal, since that buys you a front-row seat for some…

Viewmaster: Lola

Although Lola was built into the retrofitted Olinger’s mortuary building, it looks like it was created to support the patio, a deck that offers a stunning view of downtown. Although an in-the-works loft project could change that view, it’s unlikely to affect Lola’s popularity: Since the day it moved from…

Hoof on the Roof: The Buckhorn Exchange

The people planning the Democratic National Convention are making a video showing the ten places that visitors shouldn’t miss in Denver — and today, they were filming at the Buckhorn Exchange. It’s tough to imagine a more worthy tourist trap, since the Buckhorn is Denver’s oldest eatery (founded in 1893)…

Absinthe Minded

A swing and a miss. When we showed up at Sugar House on a Wednesday, it was closed. Had I looked at either of the Sugar House websites — www.sugarhouselounge.com, which describes a cool lounge for trendy, beautiful people who are tired of the downtown scene, and www.sugarhousedenver.com, which describes…

Herb’s

Brian, Matt and I are already good and stumbly by the time we fall into the dim red glow of Herb’s (2057 Larimer Street) via the back patio door. We’ve just spent the last four hours at Coors Field pawning our future firstborns to get this way, and although seventeen…

Introducing the Patio of the Day

Summertime, and the living is breezy. Denver diners and drinkers are obsessed with patios — and restaurateurs are obsessed with giving them what they want. Whether it’s just a couple of chairs stuck out on the sidewalk or acres of elaborate decks, almost every joint in town has an outdoor…

What I’d be Drinkin’

Sunday morning, 9 a.m. I haven’t looked out my windows yet so I don’t know if it’s raining or if the sun’s out (the forecast yesterday called for sunny and 78 degrees, but it’s Colorado, so…). I need a drink. Of course the liquor stores are closed, as they have…

Levini

When I met Dylan Moore a few years ago while testing numerous drinks at Deluxe, his wildly popular restaurant, we became instant friends. I don’t know what I admired more — his cooking/restaurant, his entrepreneurial chef spirit, his amazing eye for design or his boisterous essence — but I knew…

Wyman’s No. 5

“That’s not Shiner Bock, is it?” I inquire, studying the chalkboard above the beer taps advertising $3 Shiners. Unfortunately, no — it’s Shiner Black. “A stout?” “Not that dark,” responds Jen, the brunette bartendress at Wyman’s No. 5 (2033 East 13th Avenue). “Wanna try it?” Why, yes, I do. She…

Can Do!

Here it is, just off the line and popping fresh. New Belgium Brewing started canning Fat Tire Amber Ale today. By mid-June, the cans should be available in limited markets, including Denver stores. “We are looking forward to introducing our old friend, Fat Tire, in a brand new package,” says…

Loca Hot

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. I loved the Hot and Cold Margarita at Cielo. I don’t remember much else about the restaurant, since the food and service were forgettable — yet for years I couldn’t find a suitable replacement for that cocktail. Plenty of places have infused tequila, but…

Barry’s on Broadway

“Oh, my gawd, I’m going to die!” exclaims the brunette seated to my left, the one with the new-haircut glow, probably from Stun! next door. It’s pretty dark inside Barry’s on Broadway (58 Broadway), but from where I’m sitting, the cut looks good — a little short in the back,…

Brewery Tours: Pint’s Pub

“Is that going to be okay with you?” challenged the barman at Pint’s Pub, located at 221 West 13th Avenue. He wasn’t so much asking if we would be amenable to drinking their “real ales,” as much as he was curtly warning us that others hadn’t been okay with drinking…

Vine Street Pub

What’s with cash-only establishments and their insincere apologies? “We don’t take credit cards,” read the signs. “Sorry for any inconvenience.” But is anyone on the other end of the cash register or profit-and-loss statement really sorry? If these places were more honest, wouldn’t their signs read: “Welcome to (Name), where…