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The Best Things to Do in Denver This Week

Book your calendar with the Denver metro area's hottest events, during the week of July 15.
Written By: author avatar Linnea Covington
author avatar Linnea Covington
Linnea Covington is a regional managing editor of DiningOut, covering Denver, New York City, and Phoenix. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of national publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more. Follow on Instagram: @linneacovington https://muckrack.com/linnea-covington
Shucked oysters arranged on ice in a round metal platter with lemon wedges and two dipping sauces.
Eat all the oysters at Blue Island Oyster Bar. | Photo by Joni Schrantz

Book your calendar, Denver events this week include puppies and margaritas, a festival dedicated to Painkillers, a dinner hosted by an award-winning sommelier, and more.

Don’t forget, tickets are on sale now for DiningOut Events’ Chicken Fight! So don’t sleep on it, score your place now. Also, the Surf Seafood Championship tickets are officially on sale, and you won’t want to miss this all-inclusive festival on July 30 in Sculpture Park.

Have an event to share? Send us a note via Instagram or by emailing info@diningout.com.

Now Until July 18: Painkiller Week at Adrift Tiki Bar

Take a seat, enjoy a tiki drink, and order the macaroni salad at Adrift. | Photo by Casey Wilson
Take a seat and try a Painkiller at Adrift Tiki Bar. | Photo by Casey Wilson

Join Adrift Tiki Bar as it dials up the tropical energy with the return of Painkiller Week. For five days the bar will highlight three versions of the historic rum classic, including a zero-proof one.

July 16: Oyster and Wine Mixer

Blue Island Oyster Bar Lone Tree will transform the patio into a summer tasting experience complete with over 25 wines, a spritz bar, chef-curated bites, and a bottomless oyster bar featuring shellfish from the restaurant group’s farm on Long Island’s Great South Bay. There’s also a wine pairing competition decided by the attendees. 

Bonus: a portion of proceeds will benefit the Blue Island Oyster Foundation, Shucking Good Hospitality’s own nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring the Great South Bay through environmental stewardship and conservation efforts. Tickets are $115 a person, found here.

July 17 and 18: Tennyson Street Fair

The Tennyson Street Fair returns. | Photo by by Ryan Cox Photography
The Tennyson Street Fair is one of many events that take place in Berkeley annually. | Photo by by Ryan Cox Photography

The fourth annual Tennyson Street Fair returns next weekend, featuring a Wax Trax Records DJ pop-up, pickleball pop-up and pre-festival run club. Last year the free festival introduced the Berkeley Beer Festival which will return. Also expect over 200 local businesses set up on Tennyson Street, alongside food trucks, and live music. All of the weekend’s festivities, except the ticketed beer festival, are free.

July 18: Mutts and Margs Adoption Event 

Head to FiNO this weekend at 1 p.m. for a puppy rescue and margarita extravaganza. As you meet the dogs from A Friend of Jack Rescue & Foster, you can sip a Patrón margarita.

Whether you’re hoping to adopt or simply want to spend the afternoon with some four-legged friends, everyone is welcome. Every cocktail purchased enters you into a fundraising raffle for a surprise gift package, with proceeds supporting A Friend of Jack’s rescue efforts. Reserve a spot here.

July 19: Y2K Drag Bingo Brunch

Inside the vast Denver Milk Market. | Photo by Dairy Block
Inside the vast Denver Milk Market. | Photo by Dairy Block

Break out your butterfly clips and velour and head to LoDo’s Denver Milk Market to brunch like its 2002. Held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., guests can enjoy throwback tunes and Y2K themed Drag Bingo led by favorite Denver queens. Purchase brunch bites such as the Italian Shakshuka and Breakfast Pizza, and an Adult Capri Sun cocktail pack. Entry is free, but reservations are encouraged

July 20: Sommelier Jordan Salcito Comes to Denver

Bucatini all’ Amatriciana at Osteria Alberico. | Photo by Ashley Beguin
Wine and Italian fare at Osteria Alberico makes for the perfect night. | Photo by Ashley Beguin

On Monday Denver native Jordan Salcito will host a special evening at Osteria Alberico in celebration of her new book, Smart Mouth: Wine Essentials for You, Me, & Everyone We Know, a guide to wine for the curious and uninitiated alike. The award-winning sommelier will lead the conversation over a four-course feast of frito misto, carpaccio with pesto, stracotto alla fiorentina, and lemon sorbetto. The $90 ticket includes food and a copy of her book, and wine pairings can be added on for $55. Reserve here.

July 23: The Big Eat

Cheers to the BigEat. | Photo by EatDenver
Cheers to the BigEat. | Photo by EatDenver

It’s time for another summer food festival, and this time the proceeds go to support EatDenver, an organization that aims to support the independent food and beverage industry. Expect tons of bites from popular restaurants around town, and endless samples of wine, beer, and spirits. The event takes place at the Denver Center of Performing Arts Complex in downtown from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets run $105, and can be found here.

July 23: Adult Spelling Beer at Adrift

It’s that time of month again when Adrift Tiki Bar hosts an epic adult-themed spelling bee. Join the fun starting at 7 p.m. All you need to do is order at least two items, be that food or drink, and then you can officially sign up and vie for first, second, or third place. Yes, there will be prizes.

July 24 and 25: Joyride Brewing Company Block Party 

Show off your stein-holding strength | Photo by Joyride Brewing Company
Get ready for an epic block party. | Photo by Joyride Brewing Company

Celebrate 12 years of this Edgewater staple with a two-day block party. The weekend features live music, a silent disco, a 12-brewery collaboration beer competition, custom hats, and a limited-edition party shirt. Also enjoy bites from food trucks La Baja Fish Tacos and Grill (both days) and Chicago Mo’s Beef (Saturday only).

July 24 and 25: Blucifer’s First Rodeo at Adrift

Blucifer’s First Rodeo, a new festival run by artists, comes to Denver on July 23 to 26. While the party will take place all over South Broadway, Adrift Tiki Bar is hosting live music both days from 6 to 11 p.m. Check out the full festival schedule here and get tickets (and get them fast, it’s selling out quickly).

July 25: Sunset Yoga and Happy Hour

What’s better than a roof during the sunset? Yoga and drinks, that’s what. From 6 to 8 p.m. Bloom Rooftop at Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver hosts an uplifting evening yoga flow followed by a happy hour featuring handcrafted, wellness-inspired cocktails. Best of all, 50% of each ticket will be donated to a local animal shelter, making this an opportunity to relax, connect, and give back to the community. Tickets are $25 and available here.

July 30: Surf Seafood Championship

Call Me Pearl made halibut yakitori with a teriyaki glaze. | Photo by Linnea Covington
Call Me Pearl made halibut yakitori with a teriyaki glaze at Surf 2025. | Photo by Linnea Covington

Get down with endless bites of fresh seafood prepared by top chefs from around Denver at the second iteration of Surf Seafood Championship. Brought to you by DiningOut Events (Top Taco, RARE, and Chicken Fight!), the event takes place at the Denver Center of Performing Arts on Thursday, July 30 from 7 to 10 p.m., or 6 to 10 p.m. with First Taste or VIP tickets.

author avatar
Linnea Covington Managing Editor Denver
Linnea Covington is a regional managing editor of DiningOut, covering Denver, New York City, and Phoenix. She comes to us with a long background in food, restaurant and drinks journalism. Over the last two decades she's written for tons of national publications including Denver Post, Washington Post, Forbes Travel Guide, 5280 Magazine, New York Magazine, New York Times, Time Out New York and more. Follow on Instagram: @linneacovington https://muckrack.com/linnea-covington
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