Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s the perfect time to post up on a patio and enjoy a well-earned drink to celebrate. Luckily, there’s no shortage of rooftop bars in Denver, Co, whether you’re looking for ritzy cocktails in the heart of downtown or a post-hike reward in the foothills.
This list includes 12 recommendations for spots that combine great views and even better food and drinks.
Jump to Section:
Best Rooftop Bars in Downtown Denver
54Thirty Rooftop
1475 California St., Denver, Colorado, 80202
- Hours: 3-10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. You must be older than 21 to enter after 6 p.m.
- Happy hour: N/A
Downtown Denver rooftop bars don’t come better than this. Perched atop Le Meridien Hotel in downtown Denver at an elevation of 5,430 feet, this spot prides itself on incredible views of the Front Range as well as handcrafted cocktails and small bites meant for sharing among friends. As you’d imagine, this spot can get quite popular, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure to get on the waitlist as soon as you can. It’s worth it, especially if you can find a spot with a firepit on a cold night.
El Patio
1949 Market St., Denver, Colorado, 80202
- Hours: Closed Mondays, open from 4 p.m. to midnight on weekdays and 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends.
- Happy hour: All day every Tuesday through Thursday. You can snag $7 margaritas and $5 drafts.
If you’re looking for rooftop bars in downtown Denver that bring the party atmosphere, this is certainly the spot. Come for the views of Coors Field and Lower Downtown, but stay for the live DJs, $4 cans of Montucky, and overall fun vibes. If you get hungry, you can snag tacos and guacamole at the restaurant downstairs.
Tap Fourteen
1920 Blake St., Denver, Colorado, 80202
- Hours: 3 p.m. to close Monday through Wednesday, noon to close on Thursday, noon to 1:30 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to close on Sunday.
- Happy hour: Open to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, open to 5 p.m. on Friday, and open to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Deals include $5 Coors Light and Mountain Time Lager, and $6 Odell Easy Street Wheat.
Downtown Denver rooftop bars are all pretty much aspiring to be Tap Fourteen. To start, it’s south-facing, guaranteeing plenty of sunshine, and then there are the views of the city’s skyline. And like all good rooftop bars in downtown Denver, it also has a great beer list, with more than 70 selections on tap. If beer isn’t your thing, this spot also prides itself on having the largest selection of Colorado whiskey in town.
Best Rooftop Bars in Denver (That Aren’t Downtown)
BurnDown
476 S. Broadway, Denver, Colorado, 80209
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays, closed Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
- Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. on weekdays except Tuesday, with $2 off all appetizers, draft beers and cocktails, house wines, and wells.
This huge bar, which is housed in a 1940s storefront, spans three stories, but the star of the show might be the epic rooftop patio, which affords a fantastic view of the entire Front Range. In addition to the usual bar offerings of craft cocktails, beer, and wine, you can also get a group together and share a Shotski ($30 for four shots) or buckets of Corona and High Noon. If that makes you hungry, there’s plenty of food to enjoy, from brunch offerings on weekends to shareable plates in the evenings.
Canopy
8 N. Broadway, Denver, Colorado, 80203
- Hours: Closed on Mondays, open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 p.m. to midnight on Sunday.
- Happy hour: No happy hour, but you can snag $3.50 “dad beers” all the time, so if you’re feeling cheap, order a Hamm’s!
This South Broadway mainstay is everything a good bar should be. The rooftop patio has plenty of twinkling lights and views of this unique neighborhood, and if you’re there for a game, you can cheer on your team on one of the 20 TVs. Meanwhile, the menu includes everything from a wide selection of Colorado craft beers to $10 cocktails. One thing you won’t find here is food, but you’re welcome to bring something from one of the numerous other nearby establishments.
Jack’s on Pearl
1475 S. Pearl St., Denver, Colorado, 80210
- Hours: Closed on Mondays, open from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
- Happy hour: 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Deals include $7 beers, $21 half-dozen orders of oysters, $12 cocktails, and more.
Luxury is the name of the game at this rooftop bar in Denver. This Washington Park neighborhood mainstay’s upstairs patio offers cool views of the neighborhood and is a great place to experience the light at sunset. Be sure to stop by for the happy hour, which has elevated bar bites that include everything from sashimi to hummus to chicken tenders.
The Woods
3330 Brighton Blvd. 8th Floor, Denver, Colorado, 80216
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. on Sunday.
- Happy hour: 3-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Deals include $6 draft beers, $2 off frozen drinks, and a $15 grilled cheese and tomato soup combination that looks delightful.
This isn’t just one of the best rooftop bars in Denver, Co – it might be one of the top spots in the state. That’s thanks to its gorgeous views of both downtown and the Front Range, as well as a selection of craft cocktails (we’re here for the frozen hard apple side), beer, wine, and mocktails. As you can imagine, this bar has a great brunch, and its dinner menu is no slouch either thanks to its combination of sandwiches and shareable plates.
Best Rooftop Bars in the Denver Suburbs
The Golden Mill
1012 Ford St., Golden, Colorado, 80401
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
- Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Deals include half-priced Coors and Coors Light (since you’re literally across the street from the brewery, it’s very fresh!), $7 house wines, $1 wings, $5 California rolls, and more.
If you’re bringing out-of-town guests to a rooftop bar in Denver, may we recommend this spot in Golden? After a day of exploring Red Rocks and maybe knocking out a hike in the foothills, snag a spot at this rooftop patio to admire views of this historic college town as well as nearby South Table Mountain. A bonus? There’s really something for everyone, whether you want to try one of the 20 beers on the tap wall, a margarita, or everything from sushi to barbecue at one of the food vendors inside.
Halo
6985 E. Chenango Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80237
- Hours: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, and 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturdays.
- Happy hour: Daily from 4-6 p.m. Look for deals on featured cocktails, beer and shot specials, and shareable plates.
This relatively new spot in south Denver’s Belleview Station has already cemented itself as one of the best rooftop bars in Denver. Rising 19 stories above street level, it prides itself on being the highest such establishment in dinner, and that’s not the only way this is an elevated experience. Whether you’re into catching the live music Wednesday through Saturdays or just cozying up at one of the fire pits and sipping a cocktail, you’re sure to have a fun night as you catch views encompassing everything from Longs to Pikes Peak.
Joyride Brewing Company
2501 Sheridan Blvd., Edgewater, Colorado, 80214
- Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
- Best patio beer: Try their Ice Cutter Kolsch, a smooth lager that won gold at the 2022 World Beer Cup and silver at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival.
When it comes to rooftop bars in Denver, Co, it’s hard to beat the one at Joyride Brewing Company (even though it’s technically in Edgewater). Post up and watch runners and bikers exercise at Sloan’s Lake while you enjoy a nice beer instead. The view of downtown Denver is especially cool from this angle, and with an ample beer menu that includes everything from hard seltzers to very strong imperial stouts, there’s no reason not to call some friends and stay for a good portion of the day.
The ViewHouse
7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial, Colorado, 80112
- Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Deals include $4 Rockpile Ale and Coors Light, $4 wells, $4 wine, $10 ballpark burgers, and more.
With a name like The ViewHouse, there’s no surprise why this is one of the top rooftop bars in Denver. The restaurant has multiple locations, but the one off Interstate 25 in Centennial might be the best, thanks to its panoramic views of nearly the entire Front Range. Definitely plan your trip around the sunset (the happy hour deals make this a very enticing option), and stick around to see the bright lights of I-25 and the south suburbs.
West End Tavern
926 Pearl St., Boulder, Colorado, 80302
- Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
- Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Deals include $6 shot and beer specials, $5 draft beers, and $6 sliders.
This might be a list of the best rooftop bars in Denver, but we’d be remiss not to include this classic in Boulder. The building that houses this restaurant began as an old police station back in 1906, and since 1987, it’s been home to a classic bar that’s attracted everything from the college crowd to Boulder locals. The rooftop bar has incredible views of Boulder’s Pearl Street and the Flatirons. Sample one (or three) of the 20 beers on tap, order some barbecue, and post up for one of the best sunsets around.
