Though it may not feel like it now, summer is coming, and on those nice days we want to spend time outside and with our best friends. Our best, furry friends. These patios all have dog-friendly spaces for pups and their owners, as well as good food, drinks, and a vibe worth going out for.
Lakeside Views With Your Dogs at The Patio at Sloan’s Lake
There’s a dedicated dog area at The Patio at Sloan’s Lake, so bring your doggy along for the adventure. For the humans order a Patio Mule ($12) to go with Cajun Shrimp Tacos ($17.50), Funnel Cake Fries ($10), and side of pretzel bites ($12), which come with jalapeño queso. The laidback restaurant also has a solid happy hour, Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. 4032 W. 17th Ave., Denver, thepatioatsloans.com
RiNo Puppy Paradise at Number Thirty-Eight
The RiNo-based Number Thirty-Eight has a huge outdoor space that welcomes dogs all year long, just as long as they are friendly, quiet, and on a leash. Not only that, but the sprawling space has a massive 220-inch outdoor LED television, plus two more outdoor setups perfect for those who want to take in a game, eat some wings and pizza, and bond with their pup. You can even go during the day for a bite to eat while working on your laptop. The only rule is no dogs inside, and no dogs during ticketed events. 3560 Chestnut Pl., Denver, nmbr38.com
Patio Tables and Fun at Leven Deli Co.
Ever since this sandwich shop opened in the Golden Triangle neighborhood, it’s been a favorite spot to get really good food. Now, your dogs can come and enjoy the scene on Leven’s sunny patio. Come any time, but during the weekday happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. (and all day on the weekend). Indulge in great drink deals including $6 draft beers and glasses of wine, $10 spritzes, and $24 bottles of wine. There’s also a hearty menu of food to get, though it’s up to you whether you’re sharing with the pup. Choose from $8 light bites such as dolmas and lamb meatballs, $10 toasts made on the deli’s amazing sourdough bread, and $17 tinned fish boards.
The menu includes items such as the 12-day, house-made pastrami sandwich ($18) on fresh sourdough bread, a huge house salad ($12) with lamb kabob ($8), and a kid’s menu with $7 sandwiches such as a grilled cheese. While technically the food is for humans, no one will bat an eye if some of the meal makes it to certain furry friends under the table. 123 W. 12th Ave., Denver, eatleven.com
Brews and a Dog-Friendly Patio at Denver Beer Co.
When wandering around Platt Street in LoHi, stop for a cold beer and cooling patio spot at this Denver brewery staple. Not only is the large space dog friendly, but it’s covered so you can get those four-legged companions out of the sun.
Water bowls are littered about and humans can hydrate with a Graham Cracker Porter or Incredible Pedal IPA, among other brews. While there isn’t a kitchen here, Denver Beer Co. welcomes a rotating list of food trucks such as Barbed Wire Reef and R&B Tacos. 1695 Platte St., Denver, denverbeerco.com
Fine Dining With Your Dog at Le Bilboquet
It’s not every white-table-clothed restaurant that has a space for dogs, but in Cherry Creek this high-end French spot does. Recently the space went through a revamp, updating the blue velvet and changing the dining room to make it more intimate. The outside patio remains the same, and it’s particularly great for lunch with your pup.
During lunch order the endive salad ($18) and a bavette steak ($44) with fries and green peppercorn sauce. Or head to La Bilboquet for a fine dinner featuring escargot in parsley butter ($22), duck leg confit ($41), and a bottle of the new house-bottled Sancerre. The serene setting makes for an enjoyable break, and if you’ve brought your pup, the company is just as nice. 299 St. Paul St., Denver, lebilboquetdenver.com
Puppy Happy Hour at Rare Bird
Let’s take an outdoor patio but make it a roof. It’s not common to find this sort of space that also allows for dogs. But during the summer Rare Bird, the rooftop restaurant and bar on top of the Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek, started the Bird Dog happy hour. Sure, it’s not all the time, but on the last Wednesday of the month through October (May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27, September 24, and October 29), enjoy dog-inspired dishes prepared by the chefs from 5 to 8 p.m.
We’re talking Puppy Poke Bowls, Australian Shepard’s Pie, and dog treats. Drinks and food is available for the humans too, and a portion of the proceeds go to support Denver’s MaxFund. 245 Columbine St. Denver, halcyonhotelcherrycreek.com
Dog-Friendly Space at Recess Beer Garden
For a long time this LoHi eatery has been a hot spot for dogs and their owners, and it remains one of the best. First, there’s tons of picnic tables and communal seating, so if your dog is hyper, shy, protective, or any other personality, you can choose your spot based on that. The beer garden has dog bowls for water, large television sets playing sports, brunch service, and an easy-to-digest menu for the humans in your group.
Dog-friendly hours run Sunday through Thursday from open to close; Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All dogs must be leashed and, like children, owners need to watch them. While there ask for a gratis treat for your animal, order them a side of bacon ($7) or pup patty ($6), get a pint of beer and an order of Recess Nachos ($16) for yourself. 2715 17th St., Denver, recessbeergarden.com
Stanley Beer Garden is For the Whole Family
Bring the kids, the dogs, and your grandmother to Stanley Beer Garden, located in the Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. With plenty of space to run around, it’s the best way to be outside and have a meal and a cold beer too. Best, part, you can walk up and pour your brew thanks to the tap wall. On Tuesdays kids eat free (with paying adult), and if there are leftovers you can always let the pup indulge in the fun too. 2501 Dallas St. Unit 100, Aurora, thestanleybeerhall.com
Draughts and Dogs at Edgewater Beer Garden
The rules for dogs are simple: They must be well behaved, leashed, attended to at all times, can’t dig, bark, or jump around. And owners must clean up after them. With that in mind, relax and enjoy the mostly Colorado beers on tap and a plate of street tacos. The eatery is open for lunch and does a weekday happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., and all day on Monday. 2508 Gray St., Edgewater, edgewaterbeergarden.com
Who Let the Dogs Out at FlyteCo Tower
For the first time FlyteCo Tower is opening up its large, Central Park patio to the dogs, and it’s one of the biggest spots around town. In fact, the brewpub clocks in at 25,000 square feet, and has taken over the old Stapleton Air Traffic Control Tower. The patio includes 18 holes of minigolf, ping pong, and lawn games, and now, space for the pups to play. 3120 Uinta St., Denver, flytecotower.com
Cherry Cricket in Cherry Creek Loves Furry Friends
Whether you want to bring your dog or want to pet dogs, the outdoor areas at the Cherry Cricket in Cherry Creek allows both. There’s plenty of space too, with a large back patio flanked by a smaller one. There’s also seating in the front, and your best friend is allowed there too, not matter if they’re human or canine. Share a burger, and enjoy the company. 2641 E. 2nd Ave., Denver, cherrycricket.com
Adults and Dogs at Skiptown
Last year Skiptown came to Denver, brining its national model of doggie daycare and a park with a bar. The latter is open Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. It features over 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor off-leash play, an agility course, and a splash pad. Enjoy the human amenities too. We’re talking 24 beers on tap, local food trucks, and coffee service. The space is for adults 21-years-old and up. All dogs must be registered through the venue’s app, be at least 16 weeks old, fixed if over the age of six months, and be up to date with shots. 3833 Steele St., Denver, skiptown.io
