Eatertainment has taken over Denver, and we are so here for it. After all, a cocktail can help ease first-date nerves and forced team building with co-workers, but the real challenge is keeping things lively. Fortunately, several places around town make this easy with great menus and built-in entertainment.
Engage in some friendly competition while bowling or playing billiards, bocce ball, and even classic board games. Technology has helped reimagine darts and mini golf, while the city’s newest eatertainment venue transports guests into an F1 racing experience complete with tasty bites to fuel you up. No matter your preference or company, these 18 Denver dining spots offer plenty of ways to play.
FlyteCo Tower
Housed within the former Stapleton International Airport, this aviation-themed brewpub and entertainment venue encompasses more than 25,000 square feet. Take a tower tour and explore three floors featuring an arcade, bowling, axe throwing, golf simulators, interactive darts, and ping pong, plus mini golf and yard games on its spacious outdoor patio. There’s plenty to keep all ages engaged and on Wednesdays, kids eat free. Order up juicy burgers, saucy wings, and house-brewed beer like its flagship hazy IPA. 3120 Uinta St., Denver, flytecotower.com
Chicken N Pickle
Spicy chicken sandwiches and the year’s hottest sport come together at this new Thornton venue. Pickleball players can select from six indoor and two outdoor courts, take lessons, and rent equipment on-site. The massive space also offers corn hole, ping pong, and giant lawn games, as well as a chicken-centric menu. Round out your protein selection with fried pickles ($10.49), sweet potato fries ($4.75), and one of several signature cocktails. Breakfast items are also available daily. 14225 Lincoln St., Thornton, chickennpickle.com
Puttshack
Struggle to keep score after a couple of drinks? It’s no problem at this RiNo venue, where high-tech golf balls automatically track every hit on four custom courses. Unlike the traditional game, players aim for the highest number of points, avoiding hazard traps and taking advantage of bonuses. The Puttshack menu is yet another bonus, with globally-inspired options like Korean BBQ bao buns, Greek gyro sliders, and a range of tasty flatbreads ($16 each), plus cocktails as colorful as the neon-lit venue. 2813 Blake St., Denver, puttshack.com
Lucky Strike
With 16th Street renovations finally complete, entertainment seekers have every reason to roll on through Lucky Strike. This Denver Pavilions destination features twelve boutique bowling lanes, each complete with tufted leather booths and heavy wood tables. Order craft beverages and shareable bites like buffalo chicken quesadillas, loaded nachos, street tacos, and artisan pizzas. There’s also an arcade with air hockey, foosball, shuffleboard, and more at this alley, as well as those in Central Park and Aurora. Multiple locations, luckystrikeent.com
Wynkoop Brewing Company
This downtown mainstay has it all: craft beer paired with great food and plenty of entertainment. Savor regional flavors with options like loaded green chile fries ($13) and the signature Wynkoop burger ($19.50) made with an all-natural Colorado bison patty, or opt for a beer-infused bite like The Funky Chicken sandwich ($16) drizzled with hefeweizen maple glaze. Obviously, the state’s oldest brewpub has a great selection of ales on tap. After your meal, shoot a round of shuffleboard or pool in the upstairs billiards hall. 1634 18th St., Denver, wynkoop.com
Flight Club
A classic pub game has been entirely reimagined at this elevated entertainment concept. Tech-enabled darts keep score during fast-paced games, which take place within semi-private lanes called oches. Gather a group of up to twelve and reserve one for a ninety-minute session. While playing, enjoy lobster elote ($18), truffle parmesan fries ($10), and burrata flatbread with basil pesto ($20). The drinks are equally impressive, particularly the espresso martini tower ($49) served during weekend brunch. 1959 16th St. Mall, Denver, flightclubdartsusa.com
Number Thirty Eight
For a fun hangout, it’s hard to beat Number Thirty Eight. Catch college and pro sports games on the big screen, play cornhole and sand volleyball, and see a show at one of the best local dining spots for live music. With tons of space, this RiNo venue is a great place to meet and make friends. Bring your pups to the patio and stay a while, as the entertainment is free and the food is top-notch. Regional handhelds dominate the menu, with options like California patty melts ($15) and Louisiana fried cod po’ boys ($16). 3560 Chestnut Pl., Denver, nmbr38.com
The Tabletop Tap
With a selection of more than two hundred board games, this Englewood taproom is the perfect place to post up on a dreary day. Settle into a booth and order simple snacks alongside a round of beers. Draft offerings span from local breweries to staff favorites from around the country. The Tabletop Tap also offers retro arcade games and classic consoles, plus events like monthly Mario Kart tournaments. 3422 S. Broadway, Englewood, tabletoptap.com
Ace Eat Serve
Located in Uptown, this trendy eatery has long been popular for its Asian-fusion fare and ping pong. Tables are available inside and on the patio, but be sure to book in advance. Hourly reservations come with a high-top table where you can pile on plates of crispy Brussels sprouts and shishitos ($13), tuna tartare spring rolls ($10), and a sampler of signature dumplings ($24). Happy hour guarantees the best deal, available from 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 3 to 6 p.m. on weekends. 501 E. 17th Ave., Denver, aceeatserve.com.
Rhein Haus
Even outside Oktoberfest season, Bavarian dishes remain the focus at Rhein Haus. Toast steins filled to the brim with German lagers and tuck into hearty fare, from house-baked pretzels ($7) and jägerschnitzel ($23) to a smorgasbord of pork shank, spätzle, sauerkraut, and more ($42). The festive beer hall also features four indoor bocce ball courts, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Should there be a wait, simply head to the adjacent bar for a refill. 1415 Market St., Denver, rheinhausdenver.com
F1 Arcade
This brand-new addition to RiNo offers an immersive racing experience with 69 full-motion simulators that display Grand Prix tracks from around the world. Create a driver profile adjusted to your skill level and compete individually or with a group of four or more friends. In addition to exciting entertainment, it’s worth making a pit stop at F1 Arcade for its globally-inspired menu. Pair craft cocktails with options like a spicy fried chicken sandwich ($16), XO scallops ($22), and wagyu beef sliders ($24). 2734 Walnut St., Denver, f1arcade.com
Tom’s Watch Bar
Set right outside of Coors Field, this McGregor Square staple is one of the best sports bars in Denver. Cheer on your favorite pro and college teams across a range of sports. With more than a hundred screens, Tom’s Watch Bar has fans covered. The lively venue also features a TopGolf Swing Suite with three simulator bays, along with a selection of classic pub fare. Favorites include spinach artichoke dip ($15.99), signature prime rib dip ($24.99), and deep dish nachos ($17) paired with a margarita. 1601 19th St., Denver, tomswatchbar.com
Casa Bonita
No Colfax Avenue bucket list is complete without Casa Bonita. Long a local landmark and made famous by South Park, the pink palace of pageantry recently underwent a major upgrade. The same applied to its menu, courtesy of chef Dana Rodriguez. Options include chicken tinga tacos, carnitas nachos, green chile-smothered enchiladas, and bottomless sopapillas. Cliff diver performances, a puppet and magic show, mariachi bands, and Black Bart’s Cave complete the wonderfully kitchy experience. 6715 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood, casabonitadenver.com
Spirit Hound Distillers
Though best known for its award-winning booze, Spirit Hound Distillers also has a reputation for fantastic community events. Visit its Highland tasting room or flagship Lyons distillery for mixology workshops, clothing swaps, crafting classes, and more interactive fun. Flavorful cocktails add to each experience, all made from house creations like its signature single malt whisky and gin made from locally-foraged juniper berries. Multiple locations, spirithounds.com
Woods Boss Brewing Company
This spacious brewery in the Five Points neighborhood hosts all kinds of engaging activities. Mark your calendar for Wednesday chess nights, Dungeons & Dragons campaigns every third Thursday, and regular craft pop-ups centered around pottery, bonsai trees, and other creative projects. Woods Boss Brewing Company also offers a rotating tap list with options for every palate. Order a barrel-aged saison, fruited sour, or one of several IPAs to toast to new friends. 2210 California St., Denver, woodsbossbrewing.com
Winner’s Circle
Make a trip up to Longmont to experience Winner’s Circle, a locally-owned entertainment venue that caters to the entire family. Play arcade classics and virtual reality games, try your hand at axe throwing, take a swing on the mini golf course, and enjoy unique attractions like gamified curling and duckpin bowling. Meanwhile, the menu features smash burgers and shareables like sauce-slathered wings ($13) and BBQ nachos loaded with house-smoked pulled pork ($17). For a beverage pairing, peer behind the photobooth curtain to discover a hidden speakeasy. 2251 Ken Pratt Blvd. A, Longmont, winnerscirclecolorado.com
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
Though famous for its Slow Pour Pils, the energy at Bierstadt Lagerhaus is anything but, especially within its adults-only bierhalle. Play pinball and super-sized yard games like cornhole, ladder toss, and beer pong, and enjoy other entertainment like live pro wrestling. This RiNo favorite also ranks among the state’s best breweries, offering a small but phenomenal selection of German-style lagers. Order a pint with its Bavarian pretzel ($10) and hand-pounded schnitzel made from pork ($16) or Impossible meat ($18). 2875 Blake St., Denver, bierstadtlager.com
Punch Bowl Social
This national eatertainment venue opened on Broadway in 2012 and continues to draw a crowd hungry for fun and food. Gather a group of friends for a night of bowling, ping pong, interactive darts, and arcade games. Maybe you’ll even enter the karaoke booth after a couple of drinks. Punch Bowl Social offers a lengthy menu of signature cocktails and globally-inspired bites like falafel sliders ($9), Thai chili edamame ($7), and carnitas street tacos ($15). 65 Broadway, Denver, punchbowlsocial.com
