So many awesome events are coming up in the news, including our own Chicken Fight! on Thursday, August 21. You’ll also find Chipotle has a new way to earn rewards, another popular dive bar is closing, there’s a new altruistic cocktail, and ice cream is all the rage. Look forward to fresh hop beer too, coming soon.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Chef Dave Hadley of Samosa Shop will be appear on Beat Bobby Flay this Thursday, August 14 at 8:30 p.m. Will he win? We have to wait and see.
Chipotle IQ is returning for the sixth year, a game meant to test fans’ knowledge on everything from Chipotle’s real food to sourcing and sustainability efforts. For the first time ever, Chipotle IQ’s gameplay period will span two weeks and can be played once per day at ChipotleIQ.com. This is also the first year guests can play to win multiple food prizes. Visit the website for more information.
Following the Broncos’ 30-9 victory over the 49ers this past weekend, chef Troy Guard’s TAG Burger Bar announced it’s officially returning to Empower Field for the 2025-2026 Denver Broncos season. You can find the stand on the first level between sections 127 and 128, and order the fan-favorite Old School Burger alongside a rotating lineup of unique specials tailored to each game.
Hop season is officially here as growers begin the first round of harvest, which means fresh hop beer is coming too. Here in Colorado we have the Billy Goat Hop Farm, which, according to the Colorado Beverage Coalition (CBC), is growing 22 acres of hops this year.
“Going out to the hop yards and selecting what you want is a truly unique beer experience, where we get to smell and envision our next creation,” said Marni Wahlquist, head brewer at Odell Brewing Company Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse, in a press release from the CBC. “Fresh hop beer season is a labor of love but it’s worth it when we see customers enjoying this highly seasonal beer. At Odell Brewing Company, we’re excited to be using fresh Amarillo and Cryo Krush hops in this year’s brews. We invite folks to come out and enjoy these beers in early October.”
Openings and Closings in the News
Chef Rand Packer’s La Rocca Rossa opened in downtown Morrison last week, located inside a historic 150-year-old stone building at 209 Bear Creek Ave. The concept, which Packer runs in tandem with his wife Tiffani, is an Italian live-fire steakhouse, showcasing the Packers’ signature blend of rustic Italian tradition and Colorado-grown sustainability. Read more about the Packers’ Evergreen restaurants here.
Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings continues dominating the scene with yet another location. This time it’s in Denver’s Golden Triangle neighborhood at 180 W. 10th Ave. Denver Post reports the company also has other openings planned at 1895 Democracy Point in Colorado Springs, and at 125 Ken Pratt Blvd. in Longmont, and are actively looking for even more locations.
Run by Uncle Tim’s Cocktails’ co-founder Tim Felkner, Broderick opens this coming Friday, August 15 at 1080 S. Gaylord St. in Denver. The menu features bottled cocktail flights, mocktails, the company’s line up of drinks, and specialty beverages, some, said Felkner, speaks to his time in San Francisco. The name Broderick comes from California too, and was the street he used to live on. There’s also an array of snacks, sandwiches, and charcuterie.
August 15 is also the grand opening of Town Pump Provisions in Cherry Creek North. Town Pump combines three concepts in a laid back setting. It’s home to Little Man Ice Cream’s 11th Colorado location, a New York-style bodega, and a fast-casual restaurant concept dubbed Town Pump Eatery. Find the fun at 2810 E. 3rd Ave. in Denver.
After 35 years in Washington Park, we are losing Pub on Pearl at 1101 S. Pearl St. It’s yet another closure of a longtime dive bar, following on the heels of Cap City Tavern, a favorite of Denver’s mayor.
Vibe Concepts is closing its Roadhouse Boulder Depot on Wednesday. A statement on the restaurant’s website states, “We are sadly closing our restaurant Wed, Aug 13, 2025. We want to thank you for the last 10 years of support and patronage. We will miss you! If you’re looking for the same good vibes and great food, visit our sister restaurants!”
On the Menu
On August 15, NADC Burger joins Dos Hombres Mezcal, founded by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, to launch the limited-time Dos Verdes cocktail. It’s available until September 15 at NADC in Denver, and a portion of each sale will benefit the KIND Campaign, a nonprofit dedicated to ending bullying among young women. The vibrant green drink blends Dos Hombres mezcal with melon liqueur, cucumber syrup, lime juice, and a cucumber garnish.
Dazzle has alcoholic boba drinks on the menu. The boozy part of the drink comes from Cocktail Caviar, so each little bubble is a burst of liquor goodness. For example, the Herbal-Berry Fin, made with Royal Gate gin, elderflower-blueberry syrup, lemon, and blueberry liqueur boba. Not only are they fun drinks, but look good on social media too.
Atomic Cowboy is celebrating August with a new $5 Blueberry Bourbon Smash. Made with house-crafted blueberry jam, Buffalo Trace bourbon, fresh lime, and mint, this cocktail is available all month long for a refreshing summer treat.
After a brief hiatus, Little Man Ice Cream’s ice cream sandwiches have returned to all the storefront locations. Kicking things off with a classic vanilla ice cream flavor to start, the Little Man team plans to expand the ice cream sandwich line to include a multitude of exciting fan-favorite flavors. Each ice cream sandwich comes encased in local brand Gnarly Mountain Cookies.
Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval in Cherry Creek is shining a light on its Angry Scorpion Roll, a fiery dish featuring a fresh caviar crown on every bite. It’s both bold and bougie and we are craving it.
Events
Halcyon, a Hotel in Cherry Creek, debuts a wine dinner on Saturday, August 16. From 5 to 8 p.m. at The Peak, the property’s new outdoor private event space on the sixth floor. The evening is in partnership with wineries DANA Estates and Three Sticks Wines. Tickets start at $65 and which includes wine paired with curated bites created by the Halcyon culinary team.
Get ready for another DragCentric Bingo Brunch at Apple Blossom on Sunday, August 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hosted by the fabulous Amerikah J Misdemeanor and Zarah Misdemeanor, the theme is ’90s and 2000s. You can indulge in bottomless mimosas, espresso martinis, and delicious bites. Plus, expect all your favorite bingo and sing-along hits from the era. Reservations here.
On Wednesday, August 20, head to the Portland Wine Co Dinner at Somebody People at 6 p.m. for a special wine dinner celebrating the flavors of Portland. Vintner and winery owner Matt Berson will guide guests through his handcrafted wines, sharing the story of how he fell in love with winemaking, what makes a great wine, and the journey that brought him to where he is today. His selections will be paired with a specially curated four-course menu from chef Justin Freeman of Somebody People. Tickets start at $83 per person and include the four-course tasting menu along with five wines.
Head to Tamayo to celebrate the modern Latin cuisine helping shape Denver’s dining scene with two, one-night-only events. On Tuesday, August 19 enjoy Tamayo Through the Ages Dinner with Chefs Dana Rodriguez and Oscar Padilla. Then the next day, August 20, join the Four Hands Dinner with Chef Frank Bonanno. Each evening features a five-course tasting menu inspired by the chefs’ cultural backgrounds and includes new dishes from Tamayo’s recently refreshed menu.
Enjoy a wine dinner, on August 20 at 6 p.m., at Bistro Vendome along with chef and operating partner Tim Kuklinski. The Loire Valley Wine Dinner starts at 6 p.m., and runs $125 per person. Expect dishes such as Rocky Ford Melon Gazpacho, Clam Pissaladière, Cherry and Strawberry Tart, and more, each paired with a wine from the region.
Saverina at Kimpton Claret Hotel hosts its Third Thursday Chef Dinner on August 21st. During the special meal, chef Christian Graves plans to showcase the bounty of August with Whole Grain Cavatelli and Burrata, Assassins Bucatini with Halibut Cheeks, and Peach Upside Down Cake. Dinner is $65 per person and reservations can be made here.
Stoke & Rye at The Westin Riverfront in Avon is hosting Viva Abejas, chef Richard Sandoval’s “long live bees” dinner on Thursday, August 21 at 6 p.m. This is the chef’s initiative to educate on the importance of bees to our greater food system and ecosystem. Chef Sandoval also has published a book titled Viva Abejas, which is a study into sustainability and the food cycle for early readers and bee enthusiasts alike.
All proceeds from the book sales go to the World Bee Project. Start the evening with a Honey Lavender Margarita, followed by the Charred Avocado Salad, Coconut Tuna Ceviche, Duck Confit Tacos, and Braised Short Rib. For dessert, enjoy a Honey Cheesecake featuring Colorado honeycomb, blood orange, macerated berries with Alma Finca liqueur. The evening is priced at $135 per person. To make a reservation or view the full Viva Abejas menu, please visit www.stokeandrye.com/happenings.
BJ’s Restaurant is bringing a taste of nostalgia to Denver with its first-ever “Brews ‘n’ Views” drive-in movie experience. On Thursday, August 21, the Westminster location will transform into an outdoor cinema, complete with a screening of “The Sandlot” and the launch of BJ’s new summer menu items. Think items such as Graham Cracker S’mores Pizookie®, along with adult-friendly treats like Hard Root Beer floats, the All-American Smash Burger, mini pizzas, and mozzarella sticks, among other tasty treats. No reservations needed, and you can find the film schedule on the website.
Head to Chef Zorba’s August Wine Down event on Friday, August 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. The theme centers around Argentina and Chile, and for $30, guests will have pours of wine from both countries and complimentary bites including tacos and empanadas.
