Get ready, we are celebrating all news about dogs during Bark Week! Make sure to follow along and send in pics of your pup, and check out these photos of chefs with their four-legged friends.
Last week we were busy with the final festival for 2025, RARE, and the meaty results are in. Also in the news, a brewery expands thanks to successful crowdfunding, while another popular spot announced its closing soon. Negronis are taking over the drink scene this week in honor of the decade-plus Negroni Week. Finally, look for new outposts of a bagel chain, fall foods rolling in (like pumpkin everything), and tasty events.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
Head to Urban Egg for National Pancake Day on Friday, September 26. From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. diners can get a free buttermilk pancake with any entree purchase, you just have to mention “Free Pancake Day” when ordering.
Westbound & Down Brewing announced it’s opening a new tasting room in Wheat Ridge at 5540 W. 29th Ave. The 4,000-square-foot interior space will feature a full kitchen dishing out pizzas, sandwiches, and elevated pub fare, overseen by chef Casey Taylor from the brewery’s Lafayette location. The only catch, it’s not slated to open until late 2026 or early 2027.
One thing that makes the Westbound & Down opening stand out and news worthy right now is how the team sourced the money to create the space. It crowd-funded capital through the DealMaker platform, and with overwhelming public support it raised around $1.2 million in just under two months. The brewpub is now on its second round of funding through DealMaker.
Openings In the News
Bowls by KO has officially opened in Sloan Lake, bringing gluten and soy-free meals to the neighborhood. Read more about the history of the concept from catering to food truck to food hall to restaurant here.
Adam and Natalie Moore have brought Fortezza Ristorante into the Niwot space that used to house Farow. The focus is on northern Italian fare combined with Adam’s fine dining and steakhouse background. Previously he worked as a general manager for another top Italian spot in the state, Barolo Grill.
Moon Raccoon opened a couple weeks ago, featuring fresh pastries and a coffee program. The bakery started in the farmers’ markets, which, said the owners, will continue the rest of the season and possibly next year too.
Call Your Mother Deli opened an outpost in Boulder. Over the last couple years the bagel chain has spread across Denver, but with the 1650 28th St. location it will be the first outside the city. The Boulder spot is the fifth to open in Colorado, and the company has plans to launch an outpost in Fort Collins soon.
Etai’s Bakery Café on Broadway and 70th Avenue has reopened for grab-and-go and pick up only. The company closed the location, one of three, a few months ago with no indication of it coming back, so this was a happy discovery.
Closings In the News
Over social media, Q House announced it will close. For seven years the popular restaurant has dished out modern Chinese fare, earning top marks from pros around Denver. The final day of service will be Saturday, October 4.
Foraged Restaurant in LoDo closed its doors last week. The owners announced the end of their six year run via social media, but didn’t give any hint as to why the sushi restaurant shuttered.
As of now the Truffle Cheese Shop in LoHi has closed its doors. Owner Lisa Morris said she will still create cheese boards and deliver goods. She wrote on social media, “I tried, but I just can’t keep the store front going. Everything is online for now cheese lovers. I will still create beautiful cheese boards and gifts for you and deliver right to your door. I am sorry to disappoint all of my valued customers that like to come into the shop, but I hope you can still shop online. Thanks for all of the support, I appreciate you all so much!”
In one of the most whimsical ways, Call To Arms Brewing Company announced it is closing. The independent brewery joins a long line of small beer operations folding, though the 10-year-old Berkeley spot was also known for its “Big Energy” holiday events. The official last call has yet to be released, but for now you can still enjoy Oktoberfest fun and the promise of Halloween and Christmas decorations.
Pete’s University Park Cafe announced it will shutter come November 9, after 30 years serving the school and neighborhood. The cafe is part of the mini Greek food empire built by Pete Contos (who died in 2019) and his family. Though that spot will close, Pete’s Satire Lounge, Pete’s Kitchen, and Pete’s Central One will continue to carry the family’s legacy.
On the Menu
Leven Deli Co. and Leven Supply have a new fall menu and happy hour including Apple Cinnamon Toast, Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits, and Earl Grey martinis. Over at the deli the lunch menu now offers the Harvest Crunch Salad, Harvest Veggie Sandwich, and Salted Maple Blondies for dessert. Leven Supply now serves a mushroom pizza, apple fritters, and the Harvest Focaccia Sandwich; as well as a new happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. During that time guests can get a classic or Hugo Spritz for just $10 each, receive $1 off drafts, and score a variety of $5 snacks including house-smoked Castelvetrano olives, toasted focaccia and seasoned olive oil, and dolmas.
Urban Egg just launched the Weekday Power Lunch Menu. The idea is to keep the food affordable, fast, and high-quality. Currently diners can enjoy Tatum’s Original Avocado Toast, ABCLT, and Market Salad with fresh melon, all around $10 and available weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Apple cider churros are now available at Four Mile Historic Park during the venue’s annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival and Spirits & Spirits. Tickets to either event can be found at fourmilepark.org.
Events
Room for Milly is hosting Garden to Glass on Wednesday, September 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event underscores the bar’s commitment to sourcing from local gardens while supportingDenver Urban Gardens (DUG), a nonprofit that expands access, awareness, and resources for growing food across Colorado. The event is a personal passion project for owner Fiona Arnold and bar manager Kyle Fanfoni.
Drawing directly from Arnold’s own urban garden, Fanfoni creates cocktails that reimagine how fresh produce can be used behind the bar. Think a Chive Martini, Whipped Fennel and Orange Negroni, Tomato Water Scaffa, and a Blackberry Espresso Martini. Tickets are $35 and include a welcome cocktail, with proceeds directly benefiting DUG. Each guest will also take home seeds to plant. Tickets for the Garden to Glass party can be purchased here.
On Friday, September 26 you can socialize for a good cause at Pawsh Hour with The Ritz-Carlton, Denver in partnership with Evergreen Animal Protective League (EAPL). No ticket is required for the happy hour event, which hosts both humans and their four-legged friends.
Sales from the food and beverages during the happy hour will be donated directly back to EAPL to help with the mission of rescuing and rehoming dogs in need throughout the Colorado community. Pups can chow down on a special menu of dog-friendly treats, including BARKuterie, sip puppy-safe infused waters, unleash their inner artist at Paw Print Art, and burn off energy in the Puppy Play Zone. Find more information here.
Chef Zorba’s hosts its September Wine Down on September 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. During the $30 event the cafe will pour Italian wines and serve small Italian bites on the patio.
Woods Boss Brewing announced the return of its iconic Woods Boss Block Party after taking a break last year. Join the fun on Saturday, September 27, from noon to 10 p.m.. Expect a day full of local vendors, live music, family-friendly programming, food trucks, and more, all in partnership with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). It’s free to attend and takes place in front of the bar at 22nd and California Streets.
From noon to 4 p.m. on September 27, Big Red F and The Post Lafayette host Townie Fest, a Colorado celebration of craft beer and Pueblo chiles benefiting Boulder County fire mitigation and the Lafayette Fire Department. Previously known as Howdy Fest, the revived and refreshed Townie Fest is a flavor-packed, block party-style afternoon bash.
General Admission is $5 at the door, and kids under 12 are free. Once in, enjoy live music by local bands Juicebox and Los Mocochetes, open-fire cooking featuring culinary director Kevin Grossi, a kid zone, arts and crafts, a stein hoisting competition, vendors, and more. Beer fans will want to check out The Post’s festival exclusive Spicy Cowboy, a pilsner brewed with a Pueblo chile tincture just for the event.
Also on September 27, Nick’s Garden Center & Farm Market in Aurora starts its Fall Fest. The month-long celebration takes place every day through October and news is it includes chile roasting, kids’ activities, and pumpkin picking.
On Friday, October 3, in celebration of Taylor Swift’s engagement and her 12th studio album, Rare Bird, located atop Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, is gearing up for an epic dance party. Join the fun from 3 to 11 p.m., and enjoy the DJ spinning every Swift song, themed cocktails, friendship bracelet making, and a costume contest with prizes. The prize for best Taylor-inspired look will be a $100 gift card for Local Jones, and the most spot-on impersonation of her latest era will receive a vinyl copy of “The Life of a Showgirl” and a record player, the same ones found in the guestrooms at Halcyon. No tickets are required, but RSVPs are encouraged here.
Little did we know that October 3 is also National Mean Girls Day, and Not a Damn Chance Burger (NADC) is hosting a free outdoor movie screening of the film. The evening kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with Mean Girls trivia hosted by Denver Trivia League, where winners can score NADC merch or gift cards, followed by the film at 6:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy burgers, fries, sodas, canned beers, and signature cocktails from an NADC outdoor bar and grill, including the $6 special “Plastics Punch,” a pink cocktail created just for the night. No tickets are required. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair, grab a burger and a drink, and join the fun.
Denver Bake Fest is back for the third year, hosted by and held at Rebel Bread on Saturday, October 4. The celebration of baking features six all-new contest categories, and marks the opening of Rebel Bread’s new café and teaching kitchen. Nearly 100 bakers are expected to compete. It’s free to attend, and you can buy tickets for the baked goods.
Explore Tennyson presents the return of the 10th Annual Tennyson Fall Fest on October 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The free, community celebration brings together more than 100 local businesses, breweries, artisans, and food purveyors along Tennyson Street from West 41st to West 43rd Avenues. Throughout the day attendees can enjoy activities such as live music, group yoga, a pet parade and other family-friendly fun.
