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RARE Denver Steak Championship Returns to Sculpture Park!

Written By: author avatar Steph Wilson
author avatar Steph Wilson
Steph Wilson is a writer, editor, and creative maximalist in Denver. She makes magazines for a living and throws color around the world like confetti for fun.
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RARE, the Denver Steak Championship, is returning to Sculpture Park at Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for the event are entirely sold out, so if you’re one of the lucky ones, here’s what you need to know before you go.

Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

This Way In: Champa Street

Gates open for VIP ticket holders at 5:30 p.m., First Tasters at 6 p.m., and General Admission at 7 p.m.

Heads up! The entrance has moved. You may have seen videos of last year’s RARE showing folks in their summer best strolling through the Galleria by the theaters on their way to the iconic Sculpture Park. The final destination is still the same—Sculpture Park is where you want to be—but how you get in has changed.

The event entrance is on Champa Street between Speer Boulevard and 14th Street. Direct your rideshare app of choice to the drop-off point on the corner of 14th Street and Champa and you can walk towards the park to the entrance. If you’re thinking about driving, this event includes wine and spirits tastings so just don’t—go for a rideshare instead.

The event entrance is on Champa Street between Speer Boulevard and 14th Street. Direct your rideshare app of choice to the drop-off point on the corner of 14th Street and Champa and you can walk towards the park to the entrance. If you're thinking about driving, this event includes wine and spirits tastings so just don't—go for a rideshare instead.

Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

This is a RARE opportunity in Denver to don your fancy stuff. Ditch your cargoes, and leave your cut-off shorts in the drawer until Friday. RARE is an upscale occasion, so dress accordingly. You’ll be dining on the finest cuts of steak from the city’s best restaurants in one of Denver’s most iconic locations, so opt for an outfit worthy of the occasion.

Most of the event happens on the lawn, so leave any stilettos home. Unless you want to spend the evening aerating the lawn, go for wedges or flats.

The event is rain or shine, and Denver weather tends to be unpredictable. The city’s all-time high for May 25 is 91° (in 2018) and all-time low is 32°. If conditions stick to the date’s averages for the last 30 years, we’re looking at a high of 75° with a low of 47° and a 33% chance of rain—and only a 1.3% chance of snow. The event is happening rain, snow, or shine. Layer accordingly.

What to Bring?

Don’t forget your ID—RARE is 21+ only, and you won’t get in without proof. But leave your water bottles at home. Free water stations are all over the park, and all bottles from the fest will be recycled through DiningOut Events’ Zero Waste, Zero Hunger program.

Cast Your Votes

You get a say in who gets bragging rights as the People’s Choice winner. You’ll vote through the QR codes at the festival, and for the less tech-savvy, there’s a Voting Booth with friendly folks happy to help out. Here’s what you’ll be voting for:

People’s Choice: Traditional Steak

People’s Choice: Creative Steak

People’s Choice: Cocktail

VIP ticket holders also get to determine which spot gets the crown in the SURF competition. VIPs will get a token at the entry to use for voting for their favorite seafood competitor serving bites in the VIP area. You’ll use the QR codes to cast your votes in the grand tasting competition for People’s Choice.

What Else to Know

The event runs until 10 p.m. There’s a great band, so come ready to boogie, and it’s all but guaranteed to be a fantastic night.

If you didn’t get your tickets before they sold out, bummer! We’ll miss you. But hey, you can grab your tickets to Top Taco on July 13 before those sell out too. Tickets are going fast—you should be too.

Don’t Be Fooled

The only way to purchase tickets to RARE, The Denver Steak Championship is thru AXS and raresteakfest.com. Be careful of resellers and false ticket sale websites.

ASPEN RIDGE MEMORIAL DAY BBQ CONTEST

Are you ready for the ultimate Memorial Day BBQ? Look no further! Enter our Memorial Day giveaway to win a basket with everything you need for a delicious BBQ experience. a Variety Pack Aspen Ridge Natural Angus Beef cuts, a Safeway gift certificate for all your grilling essentials, some libations to wash it down, and sweet treats to finish it off. 

Enter To Win!

This campaign will be launched on 3/14/23 and run until 5/26/23. To enter, please fill out the form by clicking the button below!

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author avatar
Steph Wilson
Steph Wilson is a writer, editor, and creative maximalist in Denver. She makes magazines for a living and throws color around the world like confetti for fun.

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