Denver’s mayor’s favorite bar is closing down, and his big construction project is to blame. Make sure to check out the newest seafood festival in town, spoiler alert, our events company is hosting it. Also look for some new cocktails and giant ribs coming from a popular barbecue spot.
Read on for more top news stories and send us any tips via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.
The 411
DiningOut Events presents the first ever Surf Seafood Championship on Thursday, July 31 at McGregor Square. Think oysters, sushi grade tuna, hamachi collar, mussels, shrimp, and so much more.
Longmont Farmers’ Market staple Rising Tiger is the latest local vendor to appear on Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race, this time on season 18 for Truckin’ Awesome. Owned by chef Devin Keopraphay, the team also features Orian Muniz and Ashley Morris. It aires on Sunday, August 3 at 7 p.m.
Openings and Closings in the News
Town Pump Provisions opens in Cherry Creek North on Friday, August 15. The idea is to offer Denver an elevated, design-forward take on everyday convenience, including food, curated essentials, and Little Man Ice Cream’s signature sweet treats.
This fall, get ready, chefs Tommy Lee and Michael Diaz de Leon will open Molino Chido inside of Stanley Marketplace in Aurora. The plan is to serve really good tacos, drinks, and fun (more on that to come).
When we lost Sushi Rama we also missed out on the exciting conveyor belt sushi dining popular in Japan. But now, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar has opened in Boulder at 1855 29th St. The restaurant is waiter-free and all orders are taken via a touch screen. Once placed, your dishes come via the conveyor belt, starting at $3.90 a plate. While new to Colorado, Kura has over 550 locations worldwide, and started in Japan in 1977.
Joining the now long list of breweries in Colorado closing, on July 10 Over Yonder Brewing in Golden announced via Facebook that it is shuttering. “It is with broken hearts that we announce the upcoming closure of Over Yonder,” the post read.
“Despite our deep desire to remain open and continue creating unique and delectable craft beer for this incredible community, we’ve reached a point where continuing operations is no longer sustainable. We explored every possible path to stay open, but unfortunately, with the challenges including doing business in an area that’s been especially tough on small, independent operators, those efforts didn’t lead to a viable solution.”
Also on the sad closing scene, Sullivan Scrap Kitchen announced service will stop on August 2. The husband-and-wife duo behind the Park Hill restaurant, at 1740 E. 17th Ave., touted lasting pandemic impacts at the main reason for closing. Sullivan Scrap Kitchen was a unique place where every bit of food was used to create beautiful and tasty plates and will be missed.
It sure doesn’t feel hopeful for the restaurant industry when one of Mayor Mike Johnston’s favorite bars folds. During his State of City address yesterday he announced the closure of Cap City Tavern, a decades-old bar in Cap Hill. Its last day will be Sunday, July 27.
On the Menu
Table6 in Capitol Hill has a new summer menu. The lineup includes Duck Confit with mashed Yukons, crispy plantains, and olive salsa verde; Basil Whipped Feta with marinated cherry tomatoes, pistachio pesto, and naan chips; and a signature burger with pub cheese and spicy mustard on a pretzel bun with fries. Check out the restaurant for more specials, and right now you can get a $20 gift card for every $100 you spend, to be used on the next visit.
Riot BBQ has a whole new cocktail menu to look forward to. Drinks include the Bourbon Peach Smash ($11), Clementine Margarita ($10), and Spicy Cucumber Margarita ($10). The barbecue joint also now has dino beef ribs every Saturday and Sunday, open until it sells out. The meat is smoked low and slow in the Central Texas way.
Events
On July 23, August 20, and September 10, head to Sunset & Saffron at Kisbee on the Roof. The view is great and with this celebration the rooftop bar pays homage to golden hour with a Spanish-themed event. The party runs from 6 to 9 p.m. to make it perfectly timed with the Colorado sunsets. Enjoy live paella cooking, Spanish-inspired tapas sangria, and cava. There will also be an Ibiza-style DJ set. Walk-ins are welcome to the free event, though reservations are encouraged through OpenTable.
Have you thought about joining Toro’s Tequila Locker? Now is the perfect time to see what the fuss is about during the restaurant’s July 24 event. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 150 Clayton Lane in Denver, ticket holders can get a sneak peek of what membership entails. Meet some of the restaurant’s tequila partners and sample some pours along the way. The $30 price of the ticket will go towards membership for those who sign up in-person during the event. Reserve a spot here.
TheBigWonderful hosts the Inaugural “Mister Fest” on 16th and Welton Streets this Saturday, July 26, from 3 to 8 p.m. The one-day event celebrates the coolest misters, and Misters, in Denver. Expect a mist-cooled urban oasis, packed with live music, tongue-in-cheek contests, and more. The event includes DJ Mister-only, free bike repairs with Mister Fix-It, and a shot to anyone in a full suit, 21 and up of course. Also expect lawn games, craft cocktails, cold beer, and a costume contest.
For two weekends, The Corner Office transports guests back in time. Think classic comfort, nostalgia bombs, and some seriously tasty throwbacks. On July 26 and 27 we are traveling to the 1990s and early 2000s with pizza rolls, Dunkaroos, and grown up Luchables. If you show up in era-appropriate gear you’ll score a free appetizer if you’re one of the first 20 tables in costume. Here’s the link to book a reservation.
Spend your Saturday evening living la dolce vita at Bloom on July 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. Cool off with an ice-cold Aperol Spritz in hand while enjoying live music, small bites, and Aperol specials, including a bottomless spritz deal for just $21. This rooftop event is first come, first serve, but space is limited and usually fills up fast. Reserve your spot here.
Blanchard Family Wine in Dairy Block’s alley downtown is hosting the Colorado Craft Walk on Sunday, July 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. The event hosts 12 vendors, with six being Colorado wineries and the other half Colorado distilleries. Find more information here.
Join Sunday Funday at Elway’s Downtown. July 27 and every Sunday until September 21 you can sample the sweet-and-savory brunch menu as well as enjoy a special activation. On July 27 it’s the St. Germain Spritz Station and Build Your Own Flower Bouquet; Veuve Clicquot Café on August 3; Casamigos and Bulleit Garnish-Your-Own-Cocktail-Stations on August 10 and 17; August 24 and 31 is yet to be decided; and on September 14 it’s another Veuve Clicquot Café mixed with Bronco brunch.
Join Somebody People on Monday, July 28 at 6 p.m. for an Australian Wine Dinner with resident Aussie and wine enthusiast Sam Maher. This one-night event explores the dynamic wine regions of Victoria and South Australia through five curated pours and a refreshing pale ale, paired with a four-course menu inspired by modern Australian cuisine, featuring Mediterranean and Asian influences. Tickets start at $83.
Join The Fort for an unforgettable evening of rhythm, passion and flavor on the restaurant’s outdoor patio on Wednesday, July 30 at 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy not only the food, but the talents of FiestaCO FlamenCO. The evening’s special menu is inspired by the flavors of Spain, and includes shrimp ceviche, ensalada mixta, Spanish chicken, chorizo rice, and a decadent crema Catalana. Tickets are $136 per person and are available to purchase here.
Adrift Tiki Bar, home to one of Colorado’s largest rum collections, proudly presents Mai Tai Week, a multi-day celebration of the legendary Mai Tai cocktail that was invented by Victor Bergeron, also known as Trader Vic, in 1944. On July 29 through August 2, enjoy four different renditions of the Mai Tai. Mai Tai week kicks off with TIKI Time with Trader Vince – Mai Tai Edition on Sunday, July 27 from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Enjoy an engaging presentation on the history of the iconic Mai Tai, led by Adrift’s resident tiki expert, Trader Vince. Your $50 ticket includes a delicious appetizer, a guided rum tasting, and a tasting flight of four unique Mai Tai cocktails. Head to Eventbrite to purchase your ticket.
On Wednesday, July 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. you can join the Denver Milk Market for a Craft Your Own Cocktail Class. It’s held in Stranded Pilgrim and attendees will create three drinks including the Raspberry Pepper Paloma, a Margarita, and the Tequila Mockingbird. Enjoy light bites during the class and take home a cocktail shaker so you can mix up your creations at home. Tickets are $65 each.
On Friday, August 1, celebrate National Spritz Day at Punch Bowl Social where drinks off the Summer Spritz menu are only $10 each. Think classic Aperol spritz and signature creations like the Coco Blanco with tequila and coconut cream, or the Kiwi Spritz with strawberry and Aperol. Guests can also enjoy $19.99 unlimited play until 4 p.m.
This Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m., Church & Union in Denver is hosting a Top Chef Collab Dinner with alumni Jamie Lynch and Brother Luck. The six-course tasting, titled “Terroir: Born in Dirt, Built By Fire” celebrates Colorado’s regions and are named after geographical locations including the Arkansas Valley, Four Corners, San Luis Valley, Eastern Plains, Front Range, and Western Slopes. Tickets start at $150 with a wine pairing option available. Reservations can be made via Open Table.
