Denver's Stunning Rooftop Patios Offer Skyline and Mountain Views

Tamayo

Chef Richard Sandoval’s flagship Denver restaurant has been serving contemporary Mexican fare in Larimer Square since 2001. The rooftop deck is just the spot to savor a margarita made from one of the 100-plus agave spirits on the menu.

Stellar Jay

Atop Populus, the aspen tree-inspired, “carbon-positive” hotel that’s winning national accolades, Stellar Jay is a live-fire restaurant with a deck that overlooks the Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park.

Rooftop at Coors Field

Groups of 20 or more fans can rent cabanas, lofts and other private spaces on the 38,000-square-foot deck above right field of the Colorado Rockies’ home ballpark. The VIP-only deck includes an urban garden and pregame entertainment.

El Patio

Tacos, margaritas and plenty of cerveza are on tap at El Patio on the roof of Con Safos, a Mexican restaurant and bar in Lower Downtown (LoDo). The views span from Coors Field west to the mountains.

ViewHouse Ballpark

The aptly named LoDo outpost for the local chain is a great place to gawk at the city and mountain views before or after a Colorado Rockies game. The eclectic menu includes tacos, pizzas, sandwiches and several entrees.

54thirty Rooftop

Named for its elevation, the sleek 54thirty is Denver’s highest open-air rooftop bar, located amidst the skyscrapers on the 20th floor of Le Méridien Denver Downtown. The menu features shareable plates, wine, craft beer and cocktails.

Tap Fourteen

A half-block from Coors Field atop the Hayter’s & Co sports bar, this south-facing rooftop beer garden features a craft beer list with more than 70 options, along with the city’s largest selection of whiskey. Fare includes locally raised beef and pork.

The Woods

RiNo’s Source Hotel, the contemporary counterpart to the Source Market Hall next door, is crowned with a restaurant and bar with a wraparound deck: The Woods. The extensive bar menu features plenty of food and drink options, with daily happy hour specials.

The Marigold

This hybrid plant shop and bar in Five Point boasts a second-floor rooftop patio with colorful umbrellas to match the selection of craft cocktails. The menu also includes beer, wine and nonalcoholic drinks. 

McDevitt Taco Supply – RiNo

This eatery and bar on the rooftop of the eight-story Vīb Hotel by Best Western Denver RiNo has stellar views in all directions. A short walk to the Mission Ballroom, it’s hard to beat for pre-show tacos and margs.

Avanti Food & Beverage

This multi-vendor food hall in Lower Highland (LoHi) has one of the best overlooks for downtown views. There is a nice variety of culinary options downstairs, and they all share a bar with a long list of beer, wine and creative cocktails.

Linger

Located in the former Olinger mortuary, Linger boasts one of the most fabled rooftop patios in Denver. A permanently parked 1970s RV serves as an outdoor bar, with a repurposed food truck as the kitchen.

Odell Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse

This Denver outpost for the stalwart Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins has one of the best rooftop decks near Sloan’s Lake. The bar pours a wide selection of Odell’s craft beers, including a number brewed on a 10-barrel system that are exclusive to the location, and the kitchen makes pizzas, salads and starters. Where else can you get mountain, skyline and lake views?

Joyride Brewing Company

Another great place to enjoy craft brews is just across the lake in Edgewater. The upstairs rooftop patio offers soothing views of the water. The beers rotate frequently, so there's always something new to try.

Briar Common Brewery + Eatery

With fire pits and city views, the rooftop patio at the Jefferson Park brewery and eatery is a big draw. The menu includes burgers, salads and heartier entrees, with wine and cocktails as well as the house-brewed beer.

Rare Bird

Perched atop Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, the avian-themed Rare Bird welcomes guests to a leafy patio with a bird’s-eye view of the neighborhood and beyond. The menu offers burgers, wraps, snacks and shareables, along with cocktails, beer and wine. 

Kisbee on the Roof

The apex of the Jacquard Hotel in Cherry Creek features a seasonally open rooftop lounge. The vibe is accented by Saturday morning yoga sessions, DJs at night and private cabanas for rent.

BurnDown

A former furniture store in the Baker neighborhood with a literal hole in the heart of the structure, thanks to a 1978 fire, BurnDown takes advantage of its form: The hybrid restaurant and music venue converted the empty space into a third-floor courtyard that’s topped by a slick rooftop deck.  

Joy Hill 

A South Broadway pizzeria with the feel of a neighborhood bar, Joy Hill features a rooftop patio with unimpeded views of the Rockies. The fare includes creative wood-fired pizzas with house-made mozzarella, and a focus on local beer and spirits.

Historians Ale House

In the heart of the Baker neighborhood, Historians’ rooftop frames panoramas of downtown to the north and the mountains to the west. The kitchen plates offer elevated pub grub, and the bar has more than 50 beers on draft.

The Fainting Goat Pub

A mile south of downtown, the rooftop of the Fainting Goat is a prime vantage point for city views. The sports bar below is a great spot to watch a game or gobble on bar food that’s a cut above the norm.

Lead photo: BurnDown's rooftop deck.