Restaurants are on the upswing this week with new openings and three re-launched spots, including a beloved Mexican joint. Pride week events kick off with drag queens, special cocktails, and a whole lot of fun. We’re also pleased to announce a former Denverite just won Top Chef, and a city staple continues to rake in accolades.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
YumCha Dumpling & Noodle Bar in Central Park has transformed into YumCha Beer Garden. Located in the Eastbridge Town Center, the new menu features beer garden classics such as burgers, wings, fried pickles, flatbreads, and small bites with a dash of Asian flair.
Congrats to chef Tristen Epps-Long, who was just named the 2025 Top Chef winner. While the chef currently resides in Texas and runs Epps & Flows Culinary, he used to live in Denver and worked with restauranteur Troy Guard at now closed Mister Tuna. Epps happens to be doing a special event with Guard tomorrow, details below in the events section.
We are also pleased to announce that, for the seventh year in a row, Cherry Creek’s Barolo Grill once again has achieved the Wine Spectator Grand Award. Only 97 restaurants in the entire world to hold this honor. The Northern Italian restaurant is one of three restaurants in all of Colorado to receive the accolade, which follows its recognition as Michelin Colorado’s first-ever Sommelier of the Year in 2023.
The other weekend the Vail Craft Beer Classic welcomed more than 1,000 attendees to the mountain festival, and crowned a few brews the 2025 “Best Beer of Summer.” The three winners included Something Brewery’s Peach, Please, Danico Brewing’s Lost Hills Pistachio Ale, and Launch Pad Brewery’s Cape Canaveral. Each winner received special tap handles to display in the respected taprooms.
New Image Brewing in Arvada will be moving from its current 5622 Yukon St. space, but don’t worry, it’s not going far. The new digs are located across the Olde Town pedestrian walkway into the former Mangiami’s location at 5614 Olde Wadsworth Blvd. The opening party is on July 12, details to come.
Openings and Closings in the News
Chef Justin Fulton’s Margot has captivated Denver’s culinary scene with his three-year-long, Monday night pop-ups. Now, he has a new home at 1551 S. Pearl St. in the space housing Kizaki, chef Toshi Kizaki’s new 12-seat omakase restaurant. Margot features Fulton’s take on contemporary American food, offering both a signature tasting menu and à la carte offerings. The eight-seat chef’s counter offers a twelve-course, daily-changing tasting menu, with four nightly seatings available. Reservations can be made through Tock.
The Denver Post reported that the team behind the award-winning Yacht Club will open a new restaurant called Rougarou in July. The Southern-style comfort place takes over the space at 2844 Welton St., and will be owned by Mary Allison Wright, her brother, John David Wright, and her husband, McLain Hedges.
Louisville welcomes its own pickleball hot spot inside the newly opened Relish Food Hall. There are two outdoor courts, 19 indoor courts, and plenty of vendors serving food from smash burgers to wood-fired pizza to arepas. Relish comes right as another pickleball hot spot opens in Thornton.
Welcome Rose & Thorn, a two-part spot located in RiNo at 1740 36th St., Denver. The Rose part includes an upscale rooftop bar and restaurant with a reservation-only pool lounge, which opens to the public on Saturday, July 12. Down below find Thorn, a sultry underground cocktail lounge that will debut later this summer.
Del Taco fans can now get their Mexican fast food fix back on. After almost all Colorado locations of the casual Mexican chain closed this past February, the company has started re-opening many of the shuttered spots, including those in Aurora, Lone Tree, and a new one opening in Pueblo. Find the full list on the Del Taco website, here.
Also in reopening news, Garibaldi’s Mexican Bistro is back. Recently the family-owned spot was seized by the City of Englewood for failure to pay taxes. But the owners worked out a deal and the beloved Mexican restaurant is open again.
Benzina on East Colfax has also reopened, slightly altering its Italian menu. Owner Brad Anderson threatened to close a couple months ago but ended up extending business until the end of May. Now he’s back, and things are mostly the same with pizza remaining the star of the show.
Events
On June 24 through 28, head to Adrift Tiki Bar for Painkiller Week. The multi-day celebration is dedicated to the legendary rum cocktail that has transported drinkers for over 50 years. Choose from The Standard ($16) with Pusser Blue Label Rum and Hamilton 151, fresh pineapple and orange juice, house-made cream of coconut, and fresh nutmeg; or The Elevated ($25) with Pusser’s Gunpowder Proof Rum, fresh pineapple and orange juice, house-made cream of coconut, and fresh nutmeg. Each gets served in a hand-cranked coconut.
“This drink is vacation in a glass and beyond delicious especially served in our hand-cranked fresh coconuts,” said Adrift general manager Peaches Ayers in a press release. “So whether you’re a tiki enthusiast or a cocktail curious newcomer, make Adrift your warm-weather getaway during Painkiller week.”
On Wednesday, June 25, Chopped champion and current Top Chef finalist, Tristen Epps returns to Denver for a one-night-only dinner at Guard and Grace with chef Troy Guard. This four-course collaboration seats 50 and benefits local nonprofit Work Options, which helps adults build meaningful careers in the food service industry. Epps previously worked as executive chef at Guard’s now closed Mister Tuna.
Follow along The Sausage Project, a new sausage brand now available in Denver grocery stores. To help introduce the community to the product, the company is hosting free events this week. Find The Sausage Project at King Soopers (2727 W. Evans Ave.) on June 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; King Soopers (1950 Chestnut Pl.) on June 25 from 4 to 1 p.m.; King Soopers (890 S. Monaco Pkwy.) on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; King Soopers (2810 Quebec St.) on June 27 from 4 to 7 p.m.; Cherry Creek Fresh Market on June 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Denver PrideFest at Civic Center on June 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What’s better than a rooftop Pride party at Bloom by Apple Blossom and APEROL? The event runs on Friday, June 27 and guests will enjoy a signature Aperol Spritz on arrival, front-row views of a fabulous drag show, and nonstop DJ sets as the sun sets over the Denver skyline. Tickets include entry, entertainment, and one welcome cocktail. Make reservations here.
Bezel Cocktail Lounge in the Sheraton Denver Downtown presents The Divas of Pride Drag Show on Saturday, June 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but it is encouraged to reserve a ticket through EventBrite. Event-goers can order small bites and craft cocktails, including a special Pride Cocktail called Take Me To Bali, which benefits The Center.
In celebration of the season, Call Me Pearl is hosting two oyster shucking and pig roast Sunday soirees on June 29 and July 27. The event takes place alfresco on the restaurant’s outdoor patio for $50 per person. The ticket price includes two-dozen freshly-shucked oysters and slow-roasted pork carnitas, perfect for the DIY taco station. Add in live music by Will Wilding Quintet and a tasty drink, and you’ve got an afternoon to remember! Reserve a table for June here and/or July here.
Head to Somebody People on Monday, June 30 at 6 p.m. for the Alpine Wine Co. Dinner. The alpine-inspired meal is hosted by Abbie Minton of Alpine Wine Co. and Samuel Maher of Somebody People. Explore distinct wines from above 5280 feet, paired with a 4-course vegan menu designed to let these crisp, original selections shine. Expect games, prizes, and fun, at just $83 per ticket. Reservations here.
Celebrate the 14th Anniversary of Laws Whiskey House on Thursday, July 3 through Sunday, July 6. Now, with the newly-opened Laws Whiskey Sanctuary, guests are invited to a weekend filled with whiskey, history, and celebration. Highlights include special releases like the Anniversary Barrel #1052 and Hazmat Corn Barrel, VIP distillery tours featuring thieving from Barrel #1776, and cocktail lounge exclusives such as The Friel Deal and a $10 Library Flight. Learn more here.
For the first time FlyteCo Tower is opening the top of its 11-story tower, previously the Stapleton Air Traffic Control Tower, for July Fourth. A limited number of tickets will be available for the best fireworks viewing spot in town. Revelers will be able to catch most of the firework shows across the Denver area, including Aurora, Westminster, downtown Denver. Tickets are $75 each and include a beer toast and a tour.
Urban Farmer Denver is hosting Market & Mixology on Wednesday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sage Room at The Oxford Hotel. This is the second event in the 2025 Tasting Menu Dinner Series, and guests can expect an immersive, six-course evening celebrating the flavors and faces of Colorado’s farming and distilling communities, including spirits from Leopold Bros. Distillery. The event runs $215 per person, which includes drinks, both zero-proof and alcoholic depending on your desire. Book a spot here.
